Remains of WWII soldier return home from RivCo

RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA — A Riverside soldier who died after the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II will be brought back to the United States next week and buried in his hometown.

US Army Air Corps Pvt. Charles R. Powers was 18 when he died on the island of Luzon in July 1942.

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The National Cemetery administration has arranged for Powers’ remains to be transferred for burial on Thursday at Riverside National Cemetery.

The military aid organization Honoring Our Fallen is asking for a public expression of solidarity for the fallen soldier when his casket arrives at Ontario International Airport on Tuesday and is taken to the mortuary.

According to the nonprofit organization, Powers was assigned to the 28th Material Squadron, 20th Air Base Group at Nichols Field, south of Manila, when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941. A series of air raids immediately followed that largely destroyed U.S. defenses in the Philippines and led to the invasion of the U.S.-occupied archipelago by sea and ground forces.

While the remnants of the American Army and Navy air forces retreated to the Dutch East Indies and Australia, the ground personnel had to try to repel the Japanese invaders, culminating in the surrender of the Bataan Peninsula in April 1942 and Corregidor a few weeks later.

Powers was one of tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers subjected to the infamous “Bataan Death March” into captivity. He was held captive at the Cabanatuan POW camp and was one of over 2,500 men who died there. Camp records indicate that he died on July 18, 1942, and was buried in a local cemetery.

“Although he was buried as an ‘unknown,’ Powers’ grave has been carefully maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission for the past 70 years, along with those of other persons still missing from World War II,” said Honoring Our Fallen.

His identity was eventually confirmed, leading to arrangements for the repatriation of his remains.

“We are appealing to the public… and asking for your support by lining the route with flags to honor this hero as he returns home and receives the honor he deserves,” Honoring Our Fallen said.

The “Flight of Angels” carrying Powers’ remains will arrive at approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. The funeral procession carrying his casket will depart the airport via East Airport Drive and travel north to Archibald Avenue, then east on Interstate 10, south on Interstate 15, then east on the Pomona (60) Freeway, onto Interstate 215, which exits at Ethanac Road in Menifee and leads directly to Evans-Brown Mortuary, 27010 Encanto Drive.

The funeral service on Thursday will be held only for family members.

For more information, visit www.HonoringOurFallen.org.

City news service