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<p>Frank Roche thinks he might be able to make someone&#8217;s Veterans Day a happy one and he&#8217;s hoping for the help of our readers.</p><p>Roche, a Florida resident, has treasured a photo of his uncles, Quartermaster Sergeant William Roche Jr. and Private James Roche, during their service in World War II for as long as he can remember.</p><p>The Marine Sergeant pictured between them, however, has remained a mystery for as long as Frank can remember. He hopes this Veterans Day will provide an opportunity for a family, recognizing that person smiling in the middle of brothers Bill and Jim Roche, to take back a bit of its family history or renew a memory.</p><p>Frank believes the Marine was originally from our area, probably from Luzerne Borough.</p><p>The photo, he thinks, was taken in Hawaii around 1944.</p><p>&#8220;Perhaps a son or daughter, or grandson or granddaughter, never had a picture of the Marine in the photo,&#8221; Frank said. &#8220;I&#8217;m hoping that this will make someone feel good.&#8221;</p><p>Both Roche brothers grew up in Luzerne Borough, sons of William and Mary Roche.</p><p>Both, Frank said, died young, with James&#8217; service in the battle of Iwo Jima taking its toll, and Bill experiencing the death of his daughter.</p><p>Frank, himself a Vietnam veteran, hopes the photo will not only help solve a mystery but perhaps enrich the lives of the soldiers&#8217; descendants.</p><p>Anyone with information regarding the photograph can reach staff reporter Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or by email at ggibbons@civitasmedia.com.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">This photo shows private James Roche, left, and Quartermaster Sergeant William Roche Jr., right. In between them sits a Marine Sergeant, who has not yet been identified. We need your help. Do you have any information about this smiling veteran who served in World War II? We&#8217;re hoping to identify him. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_vetpictures.jpg</photo0><caption0>This photo shows private James Roche, left, and Quartermaster Sergeant William Roche Jr., right. In between them sits a Marine Sergeant, who has not yet been identified. We need your help. Do you have any information about this smiling veteran who served in World War II? We&#8217;re hoping to identify him. </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Readers’ help sought in identifying World War II Marine in photograph