The remains of Army Pfc. Harry Jerele, a soldier from Illinois who died during World War II in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in the Philippines, have been identified by military scientists. Jerele died of pneumonia at the Cabanatuan POW camp in December 1942, at the age of 26. His remains were identified in December, after 81 years. He will be buried on October 6 at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. Jerele’s niece, Rosemary Dillon, expressed gratitude for the identification, calling it “a miracle,” and wishing that her mother and grandmother were alive to witness his homecoming.
Jerele was a member of the U.S. Army’s 192nd Tank Battalion when the Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands. Following the surrender of U.S. forces in Bataan in April 1942, he and thousands of other U.S. and Filipino service members were captured and interned at POW camps by the Japanese. Jerele passed away on December 28, 1942, and was buried in a common grave with other deceased prisoners at the Cabanatuan POW camp. In 2020, remains from that grave were exhumed and sent to the DPAA laboratory for analysis. Through anthropological analysis, circumstantial evidence, and DNA analysis, Jerele’s remains were identified.
Jerele’s niece, Rosemary Dillon, remembered him as a quiet man who enjoyed singing and playing the guitar. She was a young child when Jerele left for military service, and she expressed the significance of his remains finally being identified. Dillon’s reflections on her uncle’s personality shed light on the impact that his identification has had on their family. Jerele’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers during World War II and emphasizes the importance of honoring their memory and ensuring their remains are properly identified and laid to rest.
The discovery and identification of Jerele’s remains bring closure to his family and loved ones, allowing them to properly commemorate and honor his memory. The long-awaited burial of Jerele at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood provides an opportunity for his relatives, friends, and the community to pay their respects and reflect on his service and sacrifice. The process of identifying and repatriating the remains of fallen soldiers is a vital component of military efforts to bring closure to families and ensure that the sacrifices of service members are not forgotten.
The identification of Jerele’s remains underscores the ongoing commitment of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to locate and identify missing service members from past conflicts. Through meticulous analysis and investigation, the DPAA continues its mission of providing answers and closure to the families of missing soldiers, offering them the opportunity to honor and remember their loved ones. The work of military scientists and researchers in identifying the remains of fallen soldiers is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of those involved in the effort to bring closure to families and ensure that the sacrifices of service members are never forgotten.
As the story of Harry Jerele’s identification and burial unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of war on individuals, families, and communities. Jerele’s legacy lives on through the efforts to honor his memory and ensure that he is laid to rest with the dignity and respect he deserves. The ceremony to be held at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery on October 6 will be a solemn occasion to pay tribute to a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country. The journey to bring Jerele home highlights the profound significance of remembering and honoring the sacrifices of those who have served in the military, ensuring that their memory endures for future generations.
