The same Signal Corps photograph (above) appears in the original article. For this article, the image has been cropped to reduce graphic detail while preserving its historical context.
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A United States Signal Corps photograph connected to the recent identification of a World War II soldier in Worms, Germany, has been added to the National Archives and Records Administration Catalog.
The image is related to a widely published Associated Press photograph that for decades showed a fallen soldier without a public identification. Research led by Joey van Meesen of the Netherlands, with SNAFU DOCS and Footsteps Researchers, confirmed the soldier as PFC Charles Theodore Plog.
Efforts to bring the identification to the public included contributions from Karen Lagrange Cox of BY Local News Media, Carlo Riva of Worms, Germany, and William Borneman of the United States.
Following the publication of an article by Cox identifying the soldier, Cox made contact with the National Archives and Records Administration regarding the Signal Corps image. The photograph has since been added to the NARA Catalog.
The catalog entry was subsequently tagged by Cox with information identifying Plog and the location where the photograph was taken, helping connect the image to its historical context.
“The soldier in these photographs was widely seen for decades without a public identification,” said Cox, Managing Editor and writer. “Adding his name to the record helps ensure he is properly remembered.”
The Signal Corps photograph appears in the original article. In this follow-up, the image has been cropped out of respect for the fallen soldier.
The photograph is a sobering reminder of the realities of war.
The original article, “WWII Soldier in Nibelungen Bridge Photographs Identified After Eight Decades,” published March 19, 2026, provides full details of the research and findings and can be read here:
https://www.bylocalnews.com/special/wwii-soldier-in-nibelungen-bridge-photographs-identified/
A documentary video produced by Joey van Meesen further details the research and identification.
Following the publication of an article by Cox identifying the soldier, Cox made contact with the National Archives and Records Administration regarding the Signal Corps image. The photograph has since been added to the NARA Catalog.
The catalog entry was subsequently tagged by Cox with information identifying Plog and the location where the photograph was taken, helping connect the image to its historical context.
“The soldier in these photographs was widely seen for decades without a public identification,” said Cox, Managing Editor and writer. “Adding his name to the record helps ensure he is properly remembered.”
The Signal Corps photograph appears in the original article. In this follow-up, the image has been cropped out of respect for the fallen soldier.
The photograph is a sobering reminder of the realities of war.
The original article, “WWII Soldier in Nibelungen Bridge Photographs Identified After Eight Decades,” published March 19, 2026, provides full details of the research and findings and can be read here:
https://www.bylocalnews.com/special/wwii-soldier-in-nibelungen-bridge-photographs-identified/
A documentary video, Who Was the Unknown Soldier on the Rhine Bridge in 1945?, produced by Joey van Meesen, further details the research and identification.
