Letter to the Editor - Veteran's Day

Dear Editor:

A U.S. Army Sergeant from Wisconsin was killed in combat in New Guinea on December 5, 1942. He along with an infantry brigade, comprised largely of men from south central Wisconsin, served in Company L of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. This Sergeant and many of his soldiers died assaulting enemy positions on a coconut plantation, in the height of the Second World War. Later that month, his body was recovered, and he was buried in a temporary grave in New Guinea. His remains were dug up and he was re-buried in a different cemetery in January of 1943. In that process, his identification was lost, and his remains were moved once again, this time to the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines where he was interred as an unknown. It was there he laid for many decades.

In 2016 – 74 years after he was killed in combat serving this great nation – this soldier’s remains were exhumed once again. This time, they were moved to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. DNA analysis confirmed the mystery remains belonged to U.S. Army Sergeant Robert McCarville of Beloit.

My uncle died a hero serving this country and for the better part of my lifetime was laid to rest anonymously and unknown half a world away. Sadly, this story of self-sacrifice by those of the greatest generation for the greatest country on the globe is far from unique. In their honor, we need to continue to commit time, resource, and respect for those in uniform, not just through the words we use but the actions we take.

Wisconsin is the only state in our great country that doesn’t formally recognize Veterans’ Day as a state holiday. For the memory of my uncle, the men he led into battle that day almost 82 years ago, and all who serve under the Red, White, and Blue; that needs to change. We can’t stop there.

Let’s help make sure our veterans have the basics – housing, health care, education, and access to family supporting jobs – after they step away from their lives to protect our freedoms and families. I’m proud of my uncle and of those who relentlessly advocated for his return home to the land he loved so much. We are past due in Wisconsin in setting aside a day to honor our men and women in uniform. In memory and respect of those who have served and the men and women who proudly wear the uniform of this great nation today: thank you.

Sincerely,

Maureen McCarville