FREEPORT, Ohio — An Ohio native who was killed during World War II and only recently had his remains identified was laid to rest on Sunday.
The remains of U.S. Army Technician Harold Dean Pittis arrived at John Glenn Columbus International Airport Saturday morning.
His remains were taken in a procession to his final resting police at Greemont Cemetery in Freeport. His funeral was held Sunday.
According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Pittis was killed in February 1945 during a battle in Germany. He was 21. The agency says his body was unable to be recovered due to intense fighting.
In 1951, remains were recovered from a wooded area. Remnants of an American helmet and ammunition were found, but no identification tags or personal items were found.
In 2017, the Pittis family was notified DPAA and a request for a DNA sample was made. Seven years later, scientists were able to identify the remains as Pittis through DNA and dental analysis. In July, his only surviving sister, Betty Louise Pittis Everhart, was notified there was a positive match.
Pittis' name is on the Walls of the Missing at Luxembourg American Cemetery and a rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
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