Homeward bound

(Above) The  processional carrying the remains of Army Pvt. Donald E. Brown were transported beneath a large American flag displayed at the Clear Lake Fire Department on the way to Thompson, Iowa for burial.-Reporter photos by Chris Barragy.

Repatriated remains of WWII soldier returned for burial

[caption id="attachment_37613" align="alignleft" width="270"] Casket bearers from the National Guard ceremoniously carried a casket containing Army Pvt. Donald E. Brown’s remains into Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake on Thursday.[/caption]

For more than 70 years, the remains of Army Pvt. Donald E. Brown were buried as an Unknown at an American Military Cemetery in France.  Thanks to the meticulous work of the POW/MIA Accounting Agency and DNA analysis, Brown’s remains have now come home to Iowa.     

Brown, 24, originally from Thompson, Iowa, was buried with full military honors provided by the Iowa National Guard at the Thompson Cemetery in Thompson, Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 6.  Prior to burial, the veterans’ remains were received at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake.  Brown’s niece, Joyce, and her husband Dale Sorensen, reside in Clear Lake.   

“It was a pretty powerful day,” said Joyce.  “My only regret is that my mother, his sister, died before his remains were identified.  I know it would have meant a lot to her for her brother to have returned to Iowa.”

Brown entered the Army on April 4, 1942 and trained at Camp Roberts, California and in Texas before returning to Iowa for a furlough in 1943.  He left for overseas duty in March of 1944 where he served with Company A, 745th Tank Battalion, which fought in support of the 1st Infantry Division in Europe during World War II.

Brown was killed in action on July 28, 1944 when his M-4 Sherman tank was destroyed by enemy fire near Cambernon, France.  Unfortunately, Brown’s remains could not be recovered at the time of his death.  Following the end of hostilities, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) began searching for the remains of U.S. service members who were killed in battle.

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AGRC investigators located remains in a tank belonging to Brown’s battalion in July 1947, however, they were unable to positively determine that those remains belonged to Brown.  The remains were interred as Unknown X-452 at a temporary U.S. Military Cemetery as was the customary practice at the time.   

Subsequent efforts to positively identify the remains based on records reviews and further research were inconclusive.  The remains were declared unidentifiable in 1949 and interred at the Normandy American Cemetery in Collerville-sur-Mer, France.   Despite being listed as an Unknown, Brown’s grave received meticulous care for the past 70 years.  A rosette will be placed next to his name on the Wall of the Missing at the Brittany American Cemetery in Saint James, France to indicate that he has now been accounted for.

Research and analysis of American Soldiers missing from ground combat is ongoing.  Following a request from Brown’s family, the Department of Defense and the American Battle Monuments Commission disinterred Unknown X-452’s remains in August 2017.  Using DNA analysis and anthropological analysis, DPAA scientists determined that the remains were those of Brown.

“I was contacted back in 2011 or 2012 by someone whose mission it is to bring home service men and he suggested the possibility that I pursue having remains identified,” explained Joyce.  She contacted a cousin in Colorado and the two decided to proceed.  About a year later, they were asked to provide DNA, using a cotton swab for a cheek swipe.

“I kind of forgot about it after that.  I would think about it from time to time, but let it be,” said Joyce.  “Then, about three months ago, we were informed the remains had been identified.  Because Brown’s parents and a brother were buried in Thompson, plans were made to have the burial there.  The remains were transported to Omaha and then escorted by six National Guard casket bearers, a representative from Fort Riley, and 1st Sgt. Brian D. Pappaducas, who worked closely with Joyce through the process.

Saturday’s procession traveled beneath a huge American flag draped over 8th Street in front of the Clear Lake Fire Department on its way to Thompson.  The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office provided an escort, with Winnebago officers taking over at the county line.

“People were standing outside at Thompson and police were blocking the intersections as we made our way to the Methodist Church, where some family were,” said Joyce.  Despite there being only a few remains, the family was invited to view the open casket where a uniform had been placed with remains underneath.  From there, Patriot Guard Riders assisted in the solemn procession to the Thompson cemetery.

Pastor Pat Hall, from Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, presided at the graveside service, which also included readings by family members, a 21-gun volley, flag folding and Taps.  Joyce was presented with the flag along with five medals earned by her uncle displayed in a shadow box.  Brown’s military awards and honors include the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal.

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