The remains of a World War II airman have been returned to his family in New York City, ending an 80-year search that began when he was killed in action during the war.

The serviceman's remains were never recovered following his death during World War II combat operations. In May 1949, military officials declared his remains nonrecoverable, leaving his family without closure for decades.

Despite the official determination, the airman's death and disappearance prompted a long line of loved ones to continue searching for answers about his fate. Family members maintained hope that his remains might eventually be located and identified.

The successful recovery and identification of the remains represents the culmination of efforts spanning multiple generations of the serviceman's family. Modern identification techniques and ongoing military recovery operations have enabled the return of remains from World War II servicemen in recent years.

The return of the airman's remains to New York City provides closure for a family that has waited eight decades to properly honor their fallen relative. The case highlights ongoing efforts to account for American service members who remain missing from World War II and other conflicts.