Sanilac County board adopts resolution honoring WWII soldier identified by DPAA

The Sanilac County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution on July 7 honoring Corporal George F. Sepsey, a Michigan service member who was missing in action during World War II and whose remains were identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

The resolution recounts that Corporal Sepsey served with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment and was lost during the Buna-Gona campaign in Papua New Guinea on Nov. 26, 1942. It notes that remains recovered from the Soputa-Sanananda area were interred as Unknowns at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, and that DPAA personnel exhumed and—through scientific analysis and historical research—positively identified the remains as those of Corporal Sepsey in 2017; DPAA identified him on April 25, 2025, according to the minutes.

The board’s resolution expresses gratitude for the efforts that led to Sepsey’s identification and commends the nation’s commitment to accounting for service members who never returned home. The motion to adopt the resolution was moved by Commissioner Evans Ehardt and seconded by Commissioner John Moody; a roll call recorded seven yes votes and the resolution was declared adopted.

The board’s minutes indicate the resolution will be spread on the proceedings of the July 7, 2026 meeting.