photo courtesy of LDVA
A long overdue honor for a Louisiana military hero who was killed in action more than eight decades ago. Marine Private First Class Harry LeBert was killed in June of 1944 during World War II. However, Louisiana VA Secretary Charlton Meginley says his remains went unidentified for many years.
Western Union telegram sent to the wife of Marine Private First Class Harry LeBert (photo courtesy of LDVA)
“When he was killed in action, he was essentially buried in a makeshift grave where he wasn’t identified. That happened quite frequently in World War II,” Meginley explained.
LeBert’s remains were transferred to the Philippines in the 1950s; and three years ago, they were transferred again to Hawaii, where forensic scientists conducted DNA testing. With 95% of LeBert’s remains intact, that helped scientists conclusively put LeBert’s name with the body. Meginley says LeBert was interred July 2nd at Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.
“You could just see just the emotional weight that was listed off their shoulders, in many ways, because now their grandfather or their uncle, their loved one, was finally home,” Meginley said.
Meginley says while the LeBert family finally got the closure that it had been waiting for, countless others are still waiting.
“There are thousands and thousands of MIA (missing in action), KIA (killed in action) service members’ bodies that have yet to be identified,” Meginley said.
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