WW II soldier originally reported as MIA now buried in Boise

BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) — A World War II soldier that was originally reported as missing in action, is now be buried in Boise.

Army Pfc. Lawrence E. Worthen was killed in World War II and was accounted for on July 23, 2019.

According to a press release, he passed away Sept. 17, 1944, near Wettlingen, Germany. Lawrence was 20-years-old when he died.

Worthen was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry. His unit was attacked near Wettlingen but his remains couldn't be recovered.

After the war, the American Graves Registration Command collected thousands of unknown remains from across northern Europe.

A mass grave was found with several 112th soldiers, and most were identified using tags or personal effects. However, two sets were unidentifiable.

In 2017, while studying American losses and unidentified remains, a historian found there were five unresolved American casualties that were last known to have been lost near Wettlingen.

In April this year, the government sent the remains to a laboratory for identification.

To identify Worthen's remains, scientists from DPAA used dental, anthropological analysis and chest radiograph comparison analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.

A committal service with military honors was held at 1:00 pm, on Friday, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery

For more information, you can visit Lawrence’s memorial webpage.