WWII Soldiers’ Remains to Return to Hometowns in Minnesota

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) - The remains of two World War II soldiers from Minnesota will be returned to their respective hometowns this Memorial Day weekend, nearly 72 years after their deaths.

Navy machinist John Anderson was killed at age 24 on the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, D-Day.

Anderson's remains were disinterred from an unknown grave in a Normandy American Military Cemetery and positively identified in 2015. His remains will arrive Thursday in Willmar, where a public memorial service and interment will be held Saturday.

Army Pvt. John Sersha was killed at age 20 in a German-controlled area of the Netherlands in September 1944.

Sersha's remains returned home Tuesday after they were disinterred from the Neuville Military Cemetery in Belgium. His remains will be buried Saturday in Eveleth.