Sicily-Rome American Cemetery recently installed rosettes signifying that U.S. Army Pvt. Joseph M. Cocco and Pfc. Kenneth D. Burgess have been accounted for. A third rosette placed during the cemetery’s Veterans Day ceremony is pending an announcement by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency for release.

DPAA announced Cocco’s identification on Oct. 10. Cocco, originally from Philadelphia, was assigned to Company C, 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion in the Mediterranean Theater in World War II. Cocco was buried as an unknown at Sicily-Rome American Cemtery. His remains were disinterred in 2022 and identified in 2024. He will be buried in November in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.

Sicily-Rome American Cemetery Superintendent Mark Ireland placed Cocco’s rosette during a yearly event with students from Duquesne University.

Burgess was accounted for Sept. 13, but a full accounting of his identification from DPAA is pending the family briefing. He was assigned to Company B, 4th Ranger Battalion, “Darby’s Rangers,” in the Mediterranean Theater in World War II. 

When a missing service member is recovered, identified and finally laid to rest, ABMC places a rosette beside their name on the Walls of the Missing. This rosette, a symbol of eternity, is crafted as a bronze rosemary wreath—a timeless emblem of honor and victory. Encircled by the eight-points of a compass, it signifies America’s commitment, reaching out in all directions to recover their remains from the farthest corners of the earth. 

These rosettes are several of more than 2,000 that have been placed beside the names of missing service members at ABMC sites around the world. The placement of these rosettes brings the total to 22 on the Wall of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, which includes the names of 3,095 service members.