with AP reports

YUMA, ARIZONA — For more then 60 years, former Altus businessman Jessie Turner and his family had no idea what had happened to his brother, James “Wilfred” Turner, who was listed as missing in action following the 1944 World War II Battle of Hurtgen Forest.

According to Turner, who stopped by the Altus Times office a few weeks ago, their brother’s remains have been positively identified, following their discovery in 2005 in a shallow grave near the town of Vossenack, Germany, by a resident.

“Apparently he was out looking for some wartime relics when he came across my brother,” Turner said. “I’m so glad we now have some closure and can lay him to rest - it’s been a long time,” Turner said.

On Thursday, Wilford, who was 19 years old when he was killed, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. with full military honors.

“I never knew him because he was killed before I was born,” said niece Charlene Lowe. “But this brings closure to the family.”

Although niece Lori Blackwell is not going to be able to attend the cermony, she said that not only is she grateful the family can finally have this closure, but is grateful to the government for honoring his memory by helping out-of-state family members attend the ceremony, “They not only flew out several family members, but are putting them up in a hotel for four nights.”

Turner’s wife at the time, who now lives in Texas will also be attending the funeral, along with her daughter from another marriage. She and Turner had been married for less then two years when he was killed.

The Battle of Hurtgen Forest was the name given to a series of fierce battles fought between U.S. and German forces during World War II. The battle, which took place between Sept. 19, 1944, and Feb. 10, 1945, over 50 square miles of forest east of the Belgian-German border, was also the longest single battle the U.S. Army has ever fought in its history, according to the Web site www.historynet.com.

“He had just got over there and wound up right in the middle of it. The poor kid never had a chance,” said Turner’s sister Jewel Marie Gresham. “He got there in September and was killed in November. He and three other soldiers had been cut off from their unit and were killed.”

The battle claimed 24,000 Americans; killed, missing, captured and wounded, plus another 9,000 who later died of trench foot, respiratory diseases and combat fatigue.

A not-so well known battle, the Battle of Hurtgen Forest was overshadowed by the American victory in the Battle of the Bulge.

Turner was assigned to the 28th infantry division, had gone missing in the battle.

Although the German resident found the remains in December of 2005 they weren’t notified until about six weeks ago, when he was positively identified.

According to a report from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, the German resident uncovered the remains along with some personnel effects, including a military identification tag stamped with his name.

The German resident then contacted the United States Memorial Affairs Activity Europe in Landstuhl.

The reports state that the location of which the remains were uncovered corresponded to the location of elements of the 112th infantry regiment, 28th Division, on Nov. 9, 1944. Four men from G-Company from that location, including Turner, had still been unaccounted for.

In addition to the identification tag, which had Turner’s name and service number, he was also identified through dental records and DNA.