To the calm, Mother Earth's
Waiting breast;
Duty done, Like the sun:
Going West.
Posted on 09/09/2008 4:46:59 PM PDT by Dubya
Missing WWII Soldier Is Identified
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is Pvt. James W. Turner, U.S. Army, of Altus, Okla. He will be buried on Sept. 11 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
Representatives from the Army met with Turner’s next-of-kin to explain the recovery and identification process and to coordinate interment with military honors on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.
In November 1944, the 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division was attacking east through the Hürtgen Forest in an attempt to capture the German towns of Vossenack and Schmidt. On Nov. 4, the Germans counterattacked in what would become one of the longest running battles in U.S. history. Turner, a member of G Company, 112th Infantry Regiment, was reported missing in action near Vossenack on Nov. 9.
In 2005, a German citizen who was searching for wartime relics in the Hürtgen Forest, near Vossenack, found human remains and other items, including Turner’s military identification tag. The remains and items were turned over to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) for further analysis.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC also used dental comparisons in the identification of Turner’s remains.
For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
Pvt. Turner, may G-d bless you and your family.
Requesting prayer for the family, friends, and loved ones of Pvt. James W. Turner, U.S. Army, of Altus, Okla.
You are home Private Turner. Rest well, and may God bless you and your family.
RIP
The Hurtgen Forest was a nightmare for the Americans, and it didn’t need to be. Totally incompetent American generals insisted on continually feeding the GI’s into the meat-grinder, when they could have gone around it.
Private Turner, welcome home.
Prayers of peace for the family.
Salute.
My Pop fought in the Huertgen Forest.
With the saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of thy servant, where there is neither sickness nor sorrow nor sighing, but life everlasting. Amen.
Welcome home, friend.
And thank you for posting these stories.
You should ping a list if you are of a mind to.
If you ever put one together, please put me on it.
Your welcome. I have never done a list, but I will start one now. Thank you for telling me. You are already on the list andyandval.
Thank you, Pvt. Turner, for your sacrifice in the cause of freedom and liberty. Welcome home, hero.
Please add me to the list too. I always get teary-eyed when I read about long-lost soldiers returning home.
Thank you. You have been added Dan in Wichita.
Great. Thanks!
How many more are still lost in the forest?
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