FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - After 79 years, a World War II Soldier’s remains were laid to rest at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas, June 2, 2023.
Pvt. Myron Elton Williams, from Dixon, Illinois, was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, when he was entrenched into the Hürtgen Forest fighting German forces in November 1944. His body was unable to be recovered after the battle and German forces never reported him a Prisoner of War. Williams was presumed dead on November 17, 1945.
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Following the conclusion of World War II, the American Graves Registration Command was tasked with conducting several investigations within the Hürtgen Forest between 1946 and 1950. The AGRC was ultimately unable to recover or identify Williams’ remains and was declared unrecoverable in 1951.
Although Williams was declared unrecoverable, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has been working for many years discovering the whereabouts of Soldiers remains across the world. In 2019 a DPAA historian determined that one set of unidentified remains possibly belonged to Williams, and sent the remains in for testing. Scientists from the DPAA used dental and forensic anthropology, as well as circumstantial evidence to confirm these remains were Williams. Once Williams' remains were confirmed, the DPAA contacted his next of kin.
In March Williams' niece, Dianne Mangum, who resides in Austin, Texas, was notified that her uncle's remains were identified. Shortly after the incredible news, Mangum was contacted by military officials to arrange her uncle's funeral accommodated by the Army. It was decided that upon return to the United States, Williams’ remains would be buried at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.
Mangum described how surprised her and her family were upon hearing the news of her uncle's recovery. She explained that her family rarely talked about her uncle Elton. The family of Elton was sure he was killed in battle but did not have the confirmation, which left many questions unanswered for a long time. The news felt like closure to Dianne and her family.
“There is always that hope,” said Mangum. “It meant that I gained an uncle I never knew and I feel very close to him now.”
Sgt. First Class Eric Bartley, the Casualty Assistance Officer for Williams’ funeral, served as Mangum and her family's liaison with everything regarding the ceremony. Williams and his family would receive a full military honors service as he deserves for his valiant service to the United States.
“This is a big deal for me,” said Bartley. “For me to do something like this, bringing home a Soldier from World War II and see him buried, and to see how happy the family is to have him back, it's a big deal.”
Bartley has been a huge support for Mangum and her family. He accompanied the family at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport to witness Williams’ remains return back to the United States. Upon Williams’ arrival, first responders from the area attended and created a “water cannon salute” to welcome his return.
On June 2, 2023 the official funeral garnered a huge crowd of local community members and veterans who showed their support to Williams and his Gold Star family. During the memorial ceremony Capt. Joseph Anaman, battalion Chaplain for 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, gave an uplifting and solemn speech to the family and attendees of the service.
“In life Pvt. Myron Elton Williams honored the flag.” said Anaman. “In death, the flag now honors him.”
The Funeral Honors Team composed of Soldiers from B Company, 2nd Battalion 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, assigned to Fort Cavazos, and the playing of Taps executed by Sgt. Anubis Martinez Ruiz, a 1st Cavalry Division Band member. As the ceremony came to a close,the Funeral Honors team folded the American flag which encased Williams casket, and bestowed it upon Dianne Mangum and James Reid, Williams’ niece and nephew.
Dianne Mangum was filled with deep gratitude towards the organization and arrangement the military showed for her uncle’s return. She thanked everyone involved and made it known she appreciated everyone who had a hand in the ceremony. The ceremony made a significant impact on her, her family and many others.
“This is not a sad event, this is a joyous event,” said Mangum. “The support has come from the community who knows and understands the military and how the military takes care of their own, this is the reason why we have the military to take care of our nation.”
Pvt. Myron Elton Williams, fought valiantly with the 12th Infantry Regiment in World War II, he was considered missing in action for decades. Now, his remains have been identified and returned to his final resting place, Killeen, Texas, surrounded by his surviving family.