NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Private first-class Bernard J. Calvi joined the military in 1940 and died during World War II in July of 1942 at a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines. 

Calvi’s nephew and great nephew submitted DNA about 10 years ago in hopes of finding him.

“It’s a great day for our family to have him finally home after 82 years being listed as POW MIA and unaccounted for, so it’s a great day to have him finally home to be able to be buried next to his parents and his brother in the family lot,” said Bernard J. Calvi, Pfc. Calvi’s great nephew.

He was identified in September, and his remains returned home Friday night.

“I’m just glad he’s home. It’s been 82 years. I know it haunted my father every day of his life that he wasn’t home and now that he’s home he can rest in peace,” said Bruce Calvi, Pfc. Calvi’s nephew.

On Tuesday, Calvi was laid to rest, and his great nephew hopes the service is a poignant reminder of what service members do for our country. 

“In this day and age it’s important for young people to see what duty and sacrifice actually means and this is someone who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect this country. We’d like to thank the POW accountability agency who were finally able to identify him after all these years and see him repatriated and the army and the government for making sure this happens,” said Bernard.

Private first class Calvi grew up in North Adams and graduated from Drury High School. He was a catcher for the Drury baseball team and his family kept his catcher’s mitt which will now be buried with him.