Racine, WI (WLIP)–Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags to fly at half-staff today in honor of U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Ralph H. Bode, a World War II soldier from Racine, Wisconsin.

Bode lost his life on Sept. 27, 1944, when his aircraft was shot down during a bombing mission over Germany.

After being declared dead by the U.S. War Department in 1945, his remains were recovered and positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in December.

His burial will take place Friday in Racine.