Unclaimed heroes reach final resting place at KVCC
Radcliff, Ky. — For a total of 313 years, four months and 12 days their remains were unclaimed.
They were Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen who served during pivotal war-time periods.
On Sept. 30, nine service members and one military spouse were finally laid to rest during a ceremony at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central, claimed by more than 100 members of the greater Fort Knox community.
They were:
- Cpl. Eugene Morris McGlasson, U.S. Army, World War II – unclaimed for six years, four months and 26 days
- Tech. 4th grade John C. Siewertsen, U.S. Army, World War II – unclaimed for 43 years, five months and 14 days
- Pvt. George Sivak, U.S. Army, World War II – unclaimed for 28 years, 10 months and 20 days
- Seaman Aubrey Vaughn, U.S. Navy, Korean War – unclaimed for 34 years, one month and 12 days
- Seaman First Class Joseph W. Grinstead, U.S. Navy, World War II era – unclaimed for 29 years, 8 months and two days
- Cpl. Steven Wayne Sturtivan, U.S. Marine Corps, post-Vietnam era – unclaimed for 37 years, 4 months and one day
- Pvt. Donnie Pulliam, U.S. Marine Corps, Korean War – unclaimed for 27 years, 4 months and 23 days
- Army Pvt. and Air Force Staff Sgt. William Jefferson Cardwell, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, World War II and Korean War – unclaimed for 44 years, 5 months and one day
- Staff Sgt. Willis S. Vaughan, U.S. Air Force, World War II and Korean War – unclaimed for 30 years, 8 months and 9 days
- Elsie G. Vaughan, military spouse of Staff Sgt. Willis S. Vaughan – unclaimed for 31 years, 5 months and 26 days
For each branch of service a flag was folded with precision, for each name a brass bell solemnly tolled.
“The word "unclaimed" describes what happened to their remains. It does not describe their worth,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Virgil Pop, V Corps. “We may have never met them, but gratitude does not require personal acquaintance. Today, our presence becomes our testimony.”
A testimony, he said, to honor and remembrance.
Frederick Behnke, https://www.miap.us/ Kentucky state coordinator, said the remains were all received from Arch L. Heady Funeral Homes in Louisville after research identified them as honorable service members and a dependent. Exemplifying the Missing in America Project motto, “It’s the right thing to do,” Behnke said he and his wife worked diligently to bring these heroes to a peaceful resting place.
“Every time we inter those that have been unclaimed for years, it's very, very special – it’s owed to them,” said Behnke. “They don't join the service to get anything out of the government. All they asked for was, ‘When I'm gone, give me an honorable military funeral’.
“When we find them, they're like family to us. It's up to all of us to become their family and not let them be forgotten.”
Col. David Holstead, Fort Knox garrison commander, stood among the service members attending the ceremony. For him, the day was a reminder of a purpose that connects all members of the Armed Forces – past and present.
“For those of us currently serving in uniform, it is incredibly important that we pay homage and tribute to those that came before us,” he said “This is especially true for those who answered nations’ call during times of war, as many of these heroes did.
“To be there, recognizing these veterans after all these years was truly an honor. There’s nowhere else I would rather be.”
As the final ring of the 21-gun salute sounded, attendees turned to face those being honored as the sound of taps bellowed around them.
Henderson County JROTC cadets then carried them to their final resting places.
“The flag can honor them, taps can mourn them, the earth can receive them, but only God can answer them at the grave,” said Pop. “They were known by name. They were remembered with gratitude. They were laid to rest with honor, and may they rest in peace.”
*VisitFort Knox Newsatwww.army.mil/knoxfor all of Central Kentucky's latest military news and information.*
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