WWII veteran remains return home to final resting place

NORTH ADAMS, M.A. (NEWS10) – Family members said it’s nothing short of a miracle that a WWII veteran was laid to rest on Tuesday. It was the 82nd anniversary of his passing and NEWS10 was there for his long-awaited return home.

Private First Class Erwin Shaftsbury King was laid in his final resting place surrounded by his remaining family and members of the community. Judith Richard said King was her mother’s baby brother and it's been overwhelming.

“This is something we never expected in our lifetime, you know. I never expected this at all,” said Richard.

The Marine, from Clarksburg, M.A., had just turned 18 years old when he was killed in Guadalcanal – an island in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia.

“It’s 82 years to the exact day. He was killed on September 24, which is why Ichose to have the burial today,” said Richard.

When Richard got the news King would finally return home she called Mitch Keil who is a Veteran Service Officer with the City of North Adams. He said there are more than 87,000 P.O.W.’s and M.I.A.’s

“He’s one of only 3900, so he’s part of the 4% that have been accounted for. I was talking to some students yesterday and I said this is a .000001 percent chance that you’ll see this again in maybe your lifetime, especially somebody in World War II,” said Keil.

Richard summarized how her family is feeling. “That it’s a miracle and that the expression no man left behind, very true, very true. They never stopped looking.”

King was the youngest of six. The family never lost hope and had purchased this lot for him next to his parents. Because he passed away in 1942, Richard feared no one would show up to his celebration of life.

“And I said, ‘Ma’am, this community, you don’t have to worry about that. We’ll ensure that he gets the welcome home he deserves’,” said Keil.

And he did. Marines, veterans and even high school students from Drury High School showed up to Southview Cemetery to pay their respects. 

“And it’s that faith and hope I think everybody needs to hold onto, to be able to celebrate the men and women that are still missing,” said Keil. “Never give up.”

Another niece who spoke at the funeral shared some words on behalf of her late uncle and simply said ‘Thank you for bringing me home’.