Gov. Beshear Recognizes Sacrifice of Kentucky Soldier Killed in World War II

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 24, 2023) – Gov. Andy Beshear recognizes the sacrifice of a Kentucky soldier who was killed during World War II but who was not accounted for until May 11, 2023, and whose family was not fully briefed on the identification until recently.

“We are so grateful to those who are working diligently to identify our unknown heroes from the Second World War,” said Gov. Beshear. “While it is heartbreaking to learn about the loss of another Kentuckian, it is also healing to be able to finally bring them home.”

Army Pfc. Henry C. Wade of Decatur, Kentucky, was assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, as an infantryman. In November 1944, his unit was engaged in battle with German forces near the Germeter-Hürtgen Road, where they encountered heavy resistance. Fighting raged for several days, during which Wade was killed in action. Due to the tactical situation, his remains were not immediately recovered. He was declared non-recoverable in December 1951.

Following the end of the war, the American Graves Registration Command was tasked with investigating and recovering missing American personnel in Europe. They conducted several investigations in the Hürtgen area between 1946 and 1950.

While studying unresolved American losses in the Hürtgen Forest area, a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) historian determined that one set of unidentified remains, designated X-4462 Neuville, possibly belonged to an American soldier killed near the town of Hürtgen in November 1944. The remains, which had been buried in Ardennes American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Neuville-en-Condroz, Belgium, in 1949, were disinterred in June 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory for identification.

To identify Wade’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

Wade’s name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, an American Battle Monuments Commission site in Margarten, Netherlands, along with the others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Wade will be buried Nov. 29, 2023, in Russell Springs, Kentucky.

Gov. Beshear will order flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Wade on the day of interment.