Staff at Florence American Cemetery installed a rosette Dec. 6 on their Wall of the Missing to signify that U.S. Army Air Force Sgt. Edward S. Kovaleski has been accounted for.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Kovaleski’s identification on Dec. 5. A native of Southbridge, Massachusetts, Kovaleski, 25, was assigned to the 760th Bombardment Squadron, 460th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 15th Air Force, in the European and Mediterranean Theaters during World War II. He was an engineer and ball turret gunner on board the B-24J Liberator “Seldom Available.”

Kovaleski will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery at a date yet to be announced.

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. 

This rosette is one 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 this rosette brings the total to 126 on the Wall of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, which includes the names of 1,409 service members.