– Illinois soldier laid to rest after decades in World War II
– Soldier from Illinois finally buried after nearly 80 years.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
JANESVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — After decades of uncertainty and longing, the family of Private Harold Poulter finally found closure as his remains were brought back home for a final burial in the quiet town of Janesville, Cumberland County.
The Life and Service of Private Harold Poulter
Born in Charleston in 1921, Poulter bravely enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and was assigned to the esteemed 80th Infantry Division. Throughout his service, Poulter displayed remarkable courage and dedication, earning multiple medals, including the prestigious Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Tragically, on February 8, 1945, Poulter lost his life while bravely engaging enemy forces in a wooded area along Germany’s border with Luxembourg. At the tender age of 23, Poulter made the ultimate sacrifice. Despite the valiant efforts of his comrades, his body could not be recovered due to intense enemy fire.
The Journey Home
For years, Poulter’s family lived with the uncertainty of his fate. In 1951, a search uncovered remains near the site of his death, but without any identifying markers, Poulter was laid to rest as an unknown soldier in an American military cemetery in Tunisia.
Seventy-one years later, in 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense exhumed Poulter’s remains for forensic analysis. Through the power of DNA evidence, Poulter was finally identified in January of this year, bringing hope and closure to his family after decades of waiting.
A Hero’s Burial
On a poignant Tuesday in Janesville, Poulter was finally given the burial he had long deserved. The procession began in Greenup, with crowds lining the route to pay their respects. Despite many not being alive during Poulter’s time, the outpouring of respect and gratitude was overwhelming.
As Tony Schmidt, president of Rolling Thunder’s local chapter, expressed, “It’s finally some closure for the families to get them back, even if the direct family has passed on.”
A Community Pays Tribute
Hundreds gathered in Toledo and Janesville to honour the fallen hero, with Barkley Funeral Chapel’s owner, Scott Schults, remarking on the overwhelming efforts made by the military and government to bring Poulter home.
Poulter was laid to rest with full military honours, including a gun salute and the haunting melody of Taps. The community’s support and appreciation for Poulter’s sacrifice were evident as people travelled from all corners of Central Illinois to pay their respects.
A Humbling Conclusion
For Poulter’s niece, Lynn Graves, the journey has been humbling and emotional. She can now visit her uncle whenever she wishes, finding solace in the fact that he rests beside his parents in Janesville.
As the community reflects on the incredible efforts that went into bringing Poulter home, his story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless brave men and women in service of their country.
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Illinois soldier laid to rest after death in World War II
Illinois soldier laid to rest in World War II.
