A Hero’s Final Journey Home: Sgt. Paul F. Eshelman’s Story
In a poignant turn of events, a World War II hero’s remains have finally returned to his hometown. Sgt. Paul F. Eshelman Jr., a young radio operator from Pittsburgh, lost his life in a daring mission during the Second World War, and his story is one of heroism and eventual homecoming.
The year was 1943, and Sgt. Eshelman, at just 21, was aboard the B-24 Liberator bomber known as “Tagalong” during Operation Tidal Wave. This mission targeted the oil fields and refineries in Ploiesti, Romania. Tragically, the aircraft was shot down, leading to the young airman’s death. For years, his remains were unidentified, resting in the Civilian and Military Cemetery in Bolovan, Romania, as confirmed by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in March 2024.
It took decades for Eshelman’s remains to be formally recognized. They were eventually transported to Pittsburgh and laid to rest at the Allegheny County Memorial Park Cemetery. The American Graves Registration Command was instrumental in retrieving American remains from Bolovan, though many were initially unidentified and were interred in Belgium.
In 2017, the DPAA began a concerted effort to exhumed the remains of the unidentified, reaching out to Paul Derstine, Eshelman’s nephew, for DNA samples. “They said that they thought they may have recovered his remains and they needed a DNA sample from my sister and myself to confirm the identity,” explained Mr. Derstine, now 68, from Charlottesville, Va. Despite initial setbacks, DNA testing eventually confirmed Eshelman’s identity on September 27, 2023.
Scientific analysis played a crucial role in this identification process, with dental and anthropological studies conducted by the DPAA, and mitochondrial DNA analysis by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System.
With Eshelman identified, his family faced the decision of his final resting place. Mr. Derstine shared, “My mother, who was his youngest sister six years younger than Paul, and my grandmother are both buried in Allegheny County Memorial Park Cemetery, and my sister thought it would be nice if we buried him with family.”
A visitation was held at H.P. Brandt Funeral Home, where relatives gathered to honor Eshelman with his military accolades and personal memorabilia. Christine Bodnar, Eshelman’s niece, remarked on the emotional impact of seeing his journal and wartime photos, noting, “It brought him to life.”
Eshelman’s journal offered a glimpse into his wartime experiences, with entries like the one on his 21st birthday, where he noted enjoying a cold beer. Mark Eshelman, vice president of sales at Niche.com, reflected on the journal’s understated tone about the war.
The final farewell included a somber ceremony with military honors, as family members witnessed his casket and uniform before a police-escorted procession to the cemetery. A military salute and the playing of taps marked his burial, where the American flag was presented to Lesa Ann Naughton, Eshelman’s niece.
Mark Eshelman expressed a sense of peace, stating, “I think it gives you some peace, that he’s buried with his family and the people that he loves as opposed to some nameless grave.”
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