The Year was 1944. Robert McConachie was 17 years old and wanted
to enlist and defend his country in World War II. Because of his young age, his father, James
McConachie, had to sign a waiver allowing him to join the armed forces.
His father acquiesced and Robert
McConachie joined the United States Marine Corps. He was killed in action in Okinawa on June
14, 1945, in the final months of the war.
He was just 18 years old when he gave his life for his country. However, Pvt. McConachie’s remains went
unidentified for nearly seventy years.
In 1987, Pvt. McConachie’s still
unidentified remains were delivered to the Army’s Central Identification Lab in
Hawaii. Recent advancements in DNA
testing, however, have helped the Pentagon link them to his brother. This year, nearly seven decades after his
death, Army analysts positively identified Pvt. McConachie’s remains using DNA
analysis and dental records.
Pvt. McConachie made his final
trip home to Michigan this year. The
Detroit native was buried on November 3 with full military honors at Fort
Custer National Cemetery west of Battle Creek.
The fallen soldier’s family now has closure knowing that he has been
laid to rest in his home state of Michigan.
On this Veterans Day, it is an
important reminder to thank those who serve our country in the armed
forces. It is also a time to reflect on
those, like Pvt. McConachie, who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may continue
to live in a free country.
If you are a veteran and need
assistance with a disability benefits claim, contact the experts at Legal Help
For Veterans. You can reach us at
800/693.4800 or online at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.
To learn more about Pvt.
McConachie’s story, please visit: http://patch.com/michigan/wyandotte/world-war-ii-soldier-finally-laid-rest-0
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