Columbia Welcomes Home a Hero: Honoring Pvt. Arthur W. Crossland Jr.
Columbia is gearing up for a poignant occasion as the remains of Pvt. 1st Class Arthur W. Crossland Jr. are set to come home for a proper military burial after almost 80 years. It’s a story that began on a fateful New Year’s Eve in 1944 when this brave 19-year-old made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting in the mountains of France during World War II.
A Hero’s Journey: From the Battlefield to Home
The U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced just last week that they have positively identified Pvt. Crossland’s remains, which were located earlier this year. This news comes as a relief and joy to Crossland’s family, who can finally have closure after all these years. It’s a tale that combines tragedy with triumph, as the young soldier’s bravery will now be honored in his hometown.
Assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 242nd Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Infantry Division, Crossland fought valiantly in the European Theater. On that shocking night, as fireworks filled the skies to ring in the New Year, German forces launched a significant attack known as Operation NORDWIND in the Vosges Mountains. This was not just any battle; it was a pivotal moment that put several U.S. Corps at risk amid intense fighting over a 40-mile stretch of land.
The Tragic Event That Changed Everything
The gripping tale took a dangerous turn when, during a tense exchange in the heavily wooded regions of Althorn, France, Pvt. Crossland triggered a mine only 200 yards from the front lines. Witnesses reported that he was killed instantly, and in the chaos, U.S. forces had to retreat, leaving behind the young hero’s body.
In the years that followed, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) began the challenging task of locating and recovering fallen soldiers in that area, including Crossland. Sadly, despite their efforts, they couldn’t find any remains that could be identified as his. By the late 1950s, Crossland was officially declared non-recoverable, leaving a heart-wrenching void for his family and the community
A Breakthrough in Recovery
Fast forward to modern times when DPAA historians began revisiting cases linked to the soldiers who went missing in Althorn. Their meticulous research pinpointed the remains of an unknown soldier, known as Unknown X-535, recovered from Althorn and buried at the Normandy American Cemetery. In July 2022, those remains were exhumed for further analysis. Using advanced scientific techniques, including mitochondrial DNA analysis, the remains were eventually linked back to Pvt. Arthur W. Crossland Jr.
Bringing the Hero Home
Now, Crossland’s name will forever be honored on the Walls of the Missing at the Epinal American Cemetery in Dinozé, France. But wait, there’s more! A special rosette will be placed next to his name to signify he has been accounted for, and we can’t forget about the much-anticipated burial planned for March 14, 2025, right here in Columbia.
This heartfelt homecoming marks a significant and emotional milestone not only for his family but for the entire community, who will gather to pay their respects and honor the legacy of Pvt. Crossland. It’s a moment that underscores the unbreakable bond between our brave soldiers and their hometowns, reminding us all of their sacrifices.
