RADCLIFF, Ky. — Private First Class Charles W. Wells was 21 years old in 1944. On June 30 of that year, he would be killed in action in the vicinity of Myitkyina, Burma, now known as Myanmar.
For 79 years, his remains have gone unidentified. Thanks to DNA testing, that changed earlier this year. After matching Wells’ DNA with that of a living relative, it meant he could finally come home.
On a cloudy Thursday morning, a lengthy procession, led by a column of motorcycles arrived at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery in Radcliff. Wells would be buried there alongside thousands of other men and women who served this country.
“It’s sad but I’m glad he’s home,” Maye Wolf, a first cousin of Wells said.
Wells was honored by members of the U.S. Army. His pallbearers were members of the 75th Ranger Division. That unit is what Wells’ unit, the Merrill’s Marauders, would eventually become.
“For our comrade in arms, Private First Class Wells, our nation bestows military honors. In life he honored the flag and in death the flag will honor him,“ Maj. Carson Jump, a chaplain in the 75th Ranger Regiment said.
Diana Reinhardt is Wells’ niece. While she said her mother never knew she had a brother, today, she’s thankful to have him home.
“We are just so excited to be able to do this. It has just been such an honor. We are just so happy,” Reinhardt said, holding the American flag which was draped over her uncle’s casket. “Our whole family is just so happy that we could do this for him.”
Wells is buried in the cemetery alongside another WWII veteran, Army Pfc. Leonard Adams. His remains were accounted for last year and was buried in Radcliff over the summer.