Thompson soldier comes home at last

     Seventy-four years after giving his life for our nation, Army Pvt. Donald E. Brown is finally back home.

     Brown, from Thompson, was 24 years old when he was killed in action on July 28, 1944 during World War II. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, his remains were accounted for on June 20 of this year. He was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Thompson will full military honors on Saturday, Oct. 6.

     Brown was a member of Company A, 745th Tank Battalion, fighting in support of the 1st Infantry Division in the European Theater, in World War II. He was killed in action when his M-4 Sherman tank was destroyed by enemy fire near Cambernon, France.

     Following the close of hostilities, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) searched for and disinterred the remains of U.S. service members who were killed in battle.

     In July, 1947, an investigation located remains in a tank from Brown’s battalion. The remains, unable to be identified, were designated Unknown X-452 Blosville and were interred in Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

     Following thorough research and analysis of American Soldiers missing from ground combat, as well as receiving family requests, the Department of Defense and American Battle Monuments Commission disinterred X-452 in August 2017 and accessioned the remains to the DPAA laboratory.

     To identify Brown’s remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome (Y-STR) DNA analysis, anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.

     Brown was welcomed home for burial on October 6 by members of his extended family, including nieces and nephews. The Iowa National Guard conducted full military honors, and the Patriot Guard Riders took part in the processional to the cemetery. Local fire departments and boy scouts also came out to show their respects, as well as members of the community.