Cindy Putnam’s aunt, Dorotha Norcross, never talked much about her first son.
At 17 years old, Edgar Norcross left Manchester to join the fight in World War II. A member of the Marine Corps Reserve, Norcross served as a private first class radio-gunner in the Pacific Theater.
On March 16, 1945, his TBM Avenger plane crashed on Yap Island in the modern-day Federated States of Micronesia. He was declared killed in action, though his remains were never identified.
“Not knowing has got to be the hardest thing,” Putnam said.
Last year, with the advancement of DNA technology, Norcross’ remains were identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) with help from Patrick Ranfranz’s Missing Air Crew Project. Ranfranz’s uncle was killed on Yap Island and is missing in action.
This past year, Ranfranz and his air crew project were able to identify and return the remains of three soldiers, including Norcross.
“This is a great closure, after all these years in my search,” he said.
On Tuesday, the family gathered to lay him to rest in the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery. Norcross became the first WWII veteran who was killed in action to be interred in the cemetery.
Dozens gathered for the funeral, many of them veterans themselves. They saluted as Norcross’ remains were carried by the Marines in attendance. His flag was presented to Wayne Osborne, a cousin of Norcross.
Osborne and his mother had provided their DNA to the DPAA over a decade ago. Last June, he got the call that Norcross’ remains had been identified.
“I met him when I was up in Sunapee,” he said. “He came up and visited.”
Though he had only met the young man once,
Diane Cotter, another cousin, never got to meet Norcross. She did, however, meet his mother and younger brother, Milton.
“They used to come for family gatherings,” she said.
After the playing of Taps and the rifle volley, Congressman Chris Pappas spoke to the crowd, thanking Norcross for his service to the nation.
“We are all the beneficiaries of the service and sacrifice of those who gave what Lincoln called the last full measure of devotion for our country. That’s what young Private First Class Norcross gave for America,” he said.
The family is glad their cousin has been laid to rest, even if his immediate family never knew what became of him. They are thankful for the support shown by the Marines, as well as the New Hampshire community that came together to see Norcross home.
“I haven’t met anyone that wasn’t nice,” said Putnam. “I’m glad I have this connection now.”
