After eight decades, a World War II hero receives his recognition.
According to Daily Mail, the remains of US Army Private 1st Class Harry Jerele, identified through modern forensic technology, will be laid to rest in his native Illinois this fall, 81 years after his death.
Rosemary Dillon, Private Jerele's niece, expressed her deep emotions about the recent identification. She said, "It's a great feeling to finally accomplish this identification," and lamented, "I only wish my mother and grandmother were here to witness his homecoming." Private Jerele succumbed to pneumonia in a Japanese prison camp in the Philippines during World War II. Initially, his body was placed in a mass grave with other fallen prisoners.
In 2020, efforts to exhume and positively identify the remains of these soldiers saw a significant breakthrough for Private Jerele. The defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency utilized advanced anthropological analysis, DNA tests, and circumstantial evidence to finally confirm Jerele’s identity on April 18.
Forensic breakthrough brings closure
Private Jerele was born on February 1, 1916, in Illinois and was one of seven siblings. Before the war, he enlisted in September 1940 and served with Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion, an outfit that faced severe challenges during the war, including significant casualties from disease, wounds, and ongoing conflict.
One of the darker chapters of his service was the surrender of American forces on the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942. This led to the perilous Bataan Death March to the Cabanatuan prison camp, where more than 2,500 American prisoners eventually died.
The long battle for recognition
The American Graves Registration Service exhumed remains from the camp post-war but could not immediately identify Jerele. His remains were labeled as Unknown and interred at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in 1947.
"We've been trying for about 10 years to positively identify his remains. It's been a long time coming. What a joyous occasion it will be when he is finally laid to rest in his home country," Rosemary Dillon remarked on the decades of effort to evoke a sense of identity for the fallen soldiers.
Rosemary Dillon also commented on the miraculous nature of the achievement by the accounting agency, saying, "This is a miracle." The Illinois National Guard remembered Jerele and his battalion, noting, "The men of Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion, many from Maywood, were mostly kids from the same high school." These young men had joined the National Guard together to meet their military obligations.
Private Jerele's service and ultimate sacrifice were officially acknowledged by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. "On behalf of the State of Illinois, I want to thank all those involved in bringing Harry Jerele home to his family in Illinois. The epic tale of Maywood’s B Company, 192nd Tank Battalion lives on thanks to many who have never forgotten what these Illinois Soldiers sacrificed for their nation," he stated.
Conclusion
The identification of Private Jerele's remains is not only a technical achievement but a deeply emotional moment for his family and the community. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the enduring responsibility to honor those who have served.
As the years have passed, the technology and dedication to bringing closure to the families of those lost in conflict have only intensified. Private Jerele's return is a testament to these ongoing efforts and the profound respect for those who served.
The story of Private 1st Class Harry Jerele is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II and the importance of honoring our fallen heroes. Advanced forensic methods have allowed us to resolve his story, offering closure to his family and ensuring his valor is remembered rightly in his homeland this coming October.
