Kansas 1st Infantry soldier's remains lost for 100 years return home

SEATTLE, WA (KSNT) - The remains of a Kansas 1st Infantry Division soldier lost since WWI have been returned to U.S. soil for a proper burial.

The 1st Infantry Division announced in a press release that U.S. Army Pfc. Charles McAllister of Seattle, Washington was returned home for a burial ceremony in Acacia Memorial Park with full military honors on Aug. 21, 2024. McAllister's remains were officially identified after 105 years of searching on April 15, 2024 and sent to Washington state.

McAllister was serving with the I Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division of the American Expeditionary Force in France. At the age of 23, he was reported missing in action. His remains, along with the remains of other soldiers, were found in 2002 by a French archaeological team, starting the long process of identifying the remains properly.

“Sometimes, because of the nature of war, it is impossible to be able to recover a comrade at that point, but that doesn’t mean we stop trying,” said Sean Everett, a spokesperson for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

A rigorous forensic investigation eventually yielded evidence the remains recovered in France belong to McAllister. The Washington State National Guard and living relatives of McAllister helped the DPAA make a positive identification of his remains.

“When the two sets of remains were found we did everything we could to finally find a way to be able to identify McAllister,” said Everett. “All of that is part of that promise the country makes to the service member when they join the military; that is to never leave them behind. It’s also a promise that is made to the family.”

“It was great that we were able to finally get him home,” said Kevin McAllister, a relative of Charles McAllister.

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