Members of the New Mexico National Guard Honor Guard

Members of the New Mexico National Guard Honor Guard salute Sgt. Alfonso O. Duran after removing his remains from a plane at the Albuquerque International Sunport, N.M., Aug. 21, 2018. Duran, a nose gunner who served with the 724th Bombardment Squadron, 451st Bombardment Group (Heavy), U.S. Army Air Force, during World War II, went missing Feb. 25, 1944 after German fighters shot down his plane during a mission targeting Regensburg, Germany. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recovered his remains May 22 and the Army buried him at Santa Fe National Cemetery, N.M., with full military honors Aug. 22. Duran grew up in El Rito, N.M., about an hour’s drive north of Santa Fe, and a family member said he was quiet, polite and always willing to give younger members of the family horse rides on the family’s ranch.