WWI Veterans Ashes, Unclaimed For 6 Decades, Finally Laid To Rest

Families of Fallen Soldiers Honored in Long-Awaited Ceremony

After more than six decades of waiting, the remains of three World War I veterans were finally laid to rest in a dignified ceremony.

The unclaimed ashes of the soldiers, all of whom were from Missouri, were discovered in a basement storage room at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

The veterans were identified as Pvt. William H. Brooks, Pvt. Roy E. Davis, and Pvt. Fred H. Franke, all of whom served in the U.S. Army during WWI. All three men died in 1918 while serving overseas. No one ever claimed their remains, and they had been stored at Jefferson Barracks ever since.

Families Find Closure After Decades of Uncertainty

The discovery of the unclaimed ashes brought a mix of emotions for the families of the fallen soldiers.

They were grateful to finally have their loved ones' remains, but they were also saddened to learn that the soldiers had been unclaimed for so long.

One family member, who asked not to be identified, said, "It's hard to believe that my great-uncle was never claimed. He was a hero who gave his life for his country."

Remains Identified Through DNA Testing

The remains of the three veterans were identified through DNA testing.

The DNA was extracted from the soldiers' teeth and compared to DNA from their living relatives. The testing was conducted by the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) in Dover, Delaware.

The AFDIL is responsible for identifying the remains of missing service members. The laboratory has identified more than 2,000 remains since it was established in 2001.

Honoring the Fallen

The remains of the three veterans were buried with full military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

The ceremony was attended by family members, friends, and fellow veterans.

The ceremony was a fitting tribute to the three soldiers who gave their lives for their country. The soldiers' families were finally able to find closure after decades of uncertainty.