Private Francis Lupo, United States Army (February 24, 1895 -- July 20, 1918) is the U.S. service member who was, possibly, missing in action for the longest known period, his remains being recovered in 2003 and repatriated. He was killed in action near Soissons, France during the Army's first large-scale offensive operation of the First World War.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Lupo delivered newspapers before being drafted in October, 1917, along with hundreds of thousands of other young American men after Congress declared war on Germany at the behest of President Woodrow Wilson. With only a fifth grade education, he arrived in France in March, 1918, and was assigned to the 18th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division. On July 20 his battalion took part in a French-led attack on a German-held salient near Soissons. Lupo fell in combat on that same day and was hastily buried on the battlefield, in the same grave with another U.S. soldier.

In 2003, French archaeologists discovered the remains of both men. After the identification of his remains, Lupo's living next-of-kin contacted by the Army was his niece, Rachel Kleisinger. The soldier found along with Lupo remains unidentified. Lupo was buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery in September, 2006. The location of the grave is section 66, grave number 7489.

Lupo's name appears on the Tablets of the Missing at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the World War I Victory Medal with three Battle Clasps.

References

1. http://www.army.mil/-news/2006/10/25/433-1st-division-soldier-identified-laid-to-res

External links

• Washingtonpost article on Francis Lupo.
• Official site of Arlington Cemetery with information on Francis Lupo and his burial.
• Army News Service: "1st Division Soldier identified, laid to rest"