Maloney: POW/MIA Constituent Comes Home

October 4, 2025

BOYERTOWN - Asking questions of the government and getting answers through all the red tape often dissuades many folks from even engaging in the process, as Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) discovered in the six years it took for Audrey McMichael's brother's remains to be returned home Thursday.

Maloney issued the following statement:

"The search for answers as to the location and cause of death of U.S. Army Air Forces Chief Warrant Officer William J. McMichael were begun by his wife almost immediately after she was informed of his Prisoner of War (POW) status during WWII.

"About six years ago, I was contacted by McMichael's sister, who resides in the Boyertown area. She has been in contact with my Boyertown office after she picked up the quest for answers where her sister-in-law had left off.

"Audrey McMichael shared with us the story of her brother, William McMichael, who was distinguished with a Purple Heart, and remained persistent in her wish that his remains could be identified. Over the years, our office has assisted with contacting various federal agencies in requesting updates on the investigation of William's death and the whereabouts of his remains. I also provided her with four POW-MIA Flags after she read of my POW-MIA flag law in one of my newsletters.

"This week, William's remains were returned to Catagnus Funeral Home. At the family's request William's remains will be interred Oct. 7 in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Catagnus Funeral Home will coordinate graveside services preceding the interment. For more information on this ceremony, please contact the funeral home at 610-367-4441.

"Now, more details of William's history have been revealed. It turns out he was originally from Boyertown and was stationed in the Philippines after joining the service for a second time, having previously served seven years. When Gen. Douglas MacArthur was forced to leave, William was one of the warriors left behind and captured. He was also forced on the Bataan Death March and managed to survive.

"What happened next was hell - after two-and-a-half years in a prison camp, he was placed aboard a Japanese ship with other POWs to be sent back to Japan. That ship was bombed by a U.S. carrier-based aircraft and all POWs were lost to the bottom of Subic Bay. When portions of leg bones were found on the ocean floor and matched William's DNA, the search was finally over.

"At this same time, my uncle, also stationed in the Philippines, escaped the death march and went into the jungle to fight behind enemy lines. Not too many years ago, his remains were brought back and buried in Arlington Cemetery. I understand what having that closure means.
Members of the community, including Berks County Vietnam Veterans and cadets from the Boyertown School District's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, gathered to receive McMichael's remains with honor at the funeral home."

Representative David Maloney
130th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives