Vermont WWII Soldier Rests in Honor at Arlington National Cemetery
A long-awaited moment took place on Wednesday as the final resting place for a World War II hero was marked with a solemn ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Army Private First Class Arthur Barrett, hailing from Swanton, Vermont, was remembered with honor for his sacrifice during the war.
In the early 1940s, as the 31st Infantry Regiment, including Barrett, was stationed in the Philippines, tragedy struck. Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December 1941, and Barrett, among others, was captured. Thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members, including Barrett, found themselves in prisoner of war camps, facing dire conditions and hardships.
One of the camps where they were held, Cabanatuan, witnessed the loss of over 2,500 lives during the war, as revealed by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The memories of those who suffered and perished in such camps remain a somber reminder of the sacrifices made during those trying times.
A Lasting Tribute: Barrett’s Return to Rest
Private First Class Barrett’s journey back to his homeland culminated in a heartfelt ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. At the age of 27, Barrett met his tragic end on July 19, 1942, and was laid to rest alongside fellow prisoners in a common grave. It wasn’t until after the war that the American Graves Registration Service undertook the task of identifying the remains, managing to identify 12 sets.
Among those whose identities remained a mystery, Barrett was among the unknowns, laid to rest at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. However, the passage of time would not diminish the determination to honor his sacrifice.
A Journey of Identity and Remembrance
In 2018, nearly eight decades after his passing, Private First Class Barrett’s remains were exhumed once again, this time for a thorough analysis. The agency entrusted with this solemn task, operating from a lab in Hawaii, employed DNA and other advanced techniques to ascertain Barrett’s identity.
The culmination of their painstaking efforts came to fruition in July of the following year when the agency announced that the long-lost hero’s remains had been conclusively identified. His story, one of bravery, resilience, and ultimate sacrifice, now rests eternally within the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.
The story of Private First Class Arthur Barrett serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals during times of conflict, and his return to his final resting place ensures that his legacy will forever be preserved in the annals of history.