MORNING SUN, Iowa- There was a memorial today (Wednesday) for a southeast Iowa Army Soldier, who was declared missing in action during World War Two in Germany. Twenty-year-old PFC John Walker, of Morning Sun, Iowa was reported missing in action in November of 1944, after a fierce battle.
Walker enlisted at Camp Dodge in March of 1944 and served in the European Theater as part of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was last seen November 24, 1944, as his unit was engaged in combat on Hill 207 near Schönthal, Germany in the Hürtgen Forest.
A German resident discovered the remains, which were interred in an American Cemetery in Belgium. The remains were exhumed last year, and identified as those of Walker through DNA and dental records.
Walker's military awards and honors include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Good Conduct Medal and the European Campaign Badge.
Today's memorial in Morning Sun included full military honors provided by the Iowa National Guard.