Remain of WWII THUNDERBIRD found in France. Dateline: 12:23 am, Mon Feb 17, 2014 - The Paris Post-Intelligncer. Nearly 70 years after he was declared dead in World War II, a Tennessee soldier’s remains have been found in France and will be returned to his family. Private Cecil E. Harris of Bedford County served in the 45th U.S. Infantry Division as part of a machine gunner team in the area of Alsace, France. Harris was declared killed in action (KIA) on Jan. 2, 1945, but his remains were not located until recently. Jerry Neumann of Weakley County learned of the find through friends he met when he was searching for the story behind the death of his uncle, John Wesley Powers II, formerly of Henry County. Powers also was killed during World War II. Neumann said his friends were testing a new metal detector in August in the area of Modenberg Mountain, which is part of the Vosges Mountains. When the detector indicated metal in the area, the men began to dig and discovered ammunition cartridges. More digging uncovered a human skeleton, buttons and remains of ration boxes. The letter “H” and a cross were located carved into the rock above the skeleton. A team from the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command (JPAC) was sent to preserve the site. As members of this team were exhuming the remains, a set of dogtags were found belonging to Harris. The bones have been sent to Hawaii for DNA identification, Neumann said. Harris’ wife, Helen Lewis, a native of Palmer, still lives in Grundy County. His son, Edwin W. Harris, also survives. “Today we are proud of this discovery and very happy for the family and the soldier who will return to his homeland and find a dignified burial,” Neumann said. According to Neumann, Harris was posthumously awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 13:13:13 +0000
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