May 02, 2018
Te Auraki repatriations begin
The New Zealand Defence Force is in American Samoa today to disinter a navy engineer who died aged 19 in an accident on the survey vessel HMNZS Lachlan in 1956.
The remains of Engineering Mechanic 1st Class Russell Moore will be repatriated from Satala Cemetery in Pago Pago as part of project Te Auraki to return personnel buried overseas after 1955 back to New Zealand.
The disinterment team includes bio-archaeologists and forensic anthropologists drawn from New Zealand universities and defence force doctors and dentists.
Once remains have been identified, there will be a continuous vigil by NZDF personnel until they are handed over to their families on their return to New Zealand.
Project leader Group Captain Carl Nixon says the Defence Force is committed to making the process as dignified and respectful as possible for the families of those being repatriated.
The remains of Russell Moore, along with those of Flight Lieutenant George Beban and Leading Aircraftman Ralph Scott who were disinterred in Fiji last week, will be handed over to their respective families at a ramp ceremony at Base Ohakea on May 7.
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