ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando airman who died as a prisoner of war during World War II will be laid to rest on Veterans Day, more than eight decades after his death.
The family of U.S. Army Air Forces Sgt. Leonard James McNeill has announced services for Wednesday, Nov. 11, including a funeral in Orlando and burial at Greenwood Cemetery.
Channel 9 previously reported on the identification of McNeill’s remains. He was officially accounted for Oct. 9, 2025, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Community invited to services
According to his obituary and service schedule, relatives, friends, veterans and community members are invited to honor McNeill.
- Visitation: Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home, 2811 Curry Ford Road, Orlando.
- Funeral: Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.
- Graveside service: Wednesday, Nov. 11, from noon to 1 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, 1603 Greenwood St., Orlando.
- Celebration of life: Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. at World of Beer, 431 E. Central Blvd., Orlando.
Remembering McNeill
McNeill was 27 when he died. He served as a tail gunner aboard a B-29 Superfortress assigned to the 881st Bombardment Squadron, 500th Bombardment Group.
His aircraft crashed during an April 1945 bombing mission in Japan. He survived but was captured and later died during a fire at the Tokyo Military Prison on May 26, 1945, according to the accounting agency.
His family’s obituary describes a life in Orlando before the war, where he met his wife, Melba, and raised three children.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.