Columbia Prepares to Welcome Home a Fallen Hero
Columbia, SC – After nearly 80 years of uncertainty, the family of Arthur W. Crossland Jr. can finally begin to heal. Thanks to modern technology, the remains of this brave Army soldier, who lost his life in the chaotic final year of World War II, have been identified and are set to be returned to his hometown for a hero’s burial.
From Battlefields to Homecomings
In March 1945, a 19-year-old Crossland found himself in the midst of a brutal conflict near Althorn, France. As German forces unleashed a deadly barrage of mortars and machine gun fire, tragedy struck when a mine exploded, taking Crossland’s life in an instant. As his fellow soldiers faced the horrors of war, they were forced to retreat, leaving behind their fallen comrade in the dense woods. Just months later, the war in Europe would come to an end, but the search for those missing in action would continue for decades.
The years rolled on, and in 1946, the military began the long and painstaking task of trying to locate Crossland’s remains. It was a heart-wrenching wait for the Crossland family, who kept hope alive all these years.
A Breakthrough in Identification
Fast forward to July 2022, a significant development stirred excitement in the ongoing mission to identify the unknown soldiers that rest in solemn plots. At the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, workers from the Department of Defense made the decision to exhume the remains of an unknown soldier designated X-535 for further analysis. This decision would change everything.
Utilizing advancements in DNA technology, scientists got to work, meticulously examining the bones and any circumstantial evidence. Their efforts paid off when, on August 21, 2024, it was confirmed that X-535 was none other than Crossland himself, a Private 1st Class soldier assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division during his deployment.
Remembering the Fallen
The revelation brought relief and joy to both the family and the community, as Crossland had long been memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery in Dinozé, France. Now, they can take solace in the fact that his name can be acknowledged in a more profound way – a rose will be placed next to his name on the wall, symbolizing that he has finally been accounted for.
Needless to say, this story has struck a chord among the residents of Columbia. On March 14, the community will gather to honor and lay to rest this local hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s a date that many will mark on their calendars, a chance to pay respect to a man whose bravery and dedication never faltered, even in the face of death.
Continuing the Legacy
The story of Arthur W. Crossland Jr. is not just a tale of loss, but a reminder of the incredible sacrifices made by countless service members during World War II. With over 400,000 U.S. soldiers having lost their lives during the war and more than 72,000 still unaccounted for, the efforts to identify and honor these brave souls continue.
As members of the community come together to welcome Crossland home, it’s an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the price of freedom and to acknowledge those who fought valiantly, far from their families, to protect the values we hold dear.
Stay tuned for updates as the community prepares for this profound event. With the city coming together to honor a hero, Columbia will once again embrace its past, and a soldier will finally be brought home.
