MIA In World War II, A Soldier Returns Home

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http://wbztv.com/local/MIA.World.War.2.1661039.html

A young World War II soldier who has been Missing in Action since 1944 is returning to Massachusetts for a proper burial.

Army Staff Sgt. John J. Farrell Jr. of Arlington died during battle in the Huertgen Forest in Germany. He was one of more than 2,000 soldiers killed during a battle that began on November 2, 1944 and ended six days later. Two hundred U.S. soldiers were unaccounted for after that battle.

Farrell, 22, was declared Missing in Action on November 8, 1944.

His remains and id tags were found by Germans surveying a proposed construction site in September of 2008. They were sent to an Army identification lab in Hawaii for positive id.

As member of the 28th Infantry Division, Farrell saw combat in France, Belgium, and Germany; he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

John Farrell was a graduate of Arlington High School and left for the war during his junior year at Boston College. He has two surviving sisters and five nieces and nephews.

Family members are expected to greet a casket containing his remains at Logan Airport on Wednesday afternoon. His funeral will be held Friday at St. Timothy Church in Norwood.
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RIP Sgt. Farrell and a job well done. Thank you for your sacrifice.