Columbia, South Carolina Welcomes Home a WWII Hero
In a heartwarming turn of events, the small but proud city of Columbia, South Carolina is set to honor one of its own—U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Arthur W. Crossland Jr.. This brave soldier was officially accounted for on August 21, 2024, after being missing in action since the waning days of World War II. What a journey it has been for both Crossland and the family that has cherished his memory all these years!
A Soldier’s Journey
Arthur W. Crossland Jr. was only 19 when he made the ultimate sacrifice in the European Theater during one of history’s darkest chapters. Assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division, he found himself in the thick of battle during a fierce German offensive known as Operation NORDWIND, which began on New Year’s Eve 1944.
As the clock ticked down to midnight, German forces launched a surprise attack in the Vosges Mountains, targeting Allied defenses along the Franco-German border. What followed was a tumultuous engagement that engulfed two U.S. Corps across a staggering 40-mile wide front. In the chaos that ensued, Pvt. Crossland and his comrades faced extreme conditions, battling through dense forests laden with mines and under the constant threat of mortars and machine gun fire.
The Fateful Day
Witnesses recount that on a fateful day, roughly 200 yards from the main line of resistance, young Crossland tragically triggered a mine, resulting in his immediate death. Unfortunately, U.S. forces had to retreat before they could recover his remains, leaving his family and community in a state of uncertainty and grief.
A Long Wait for Answers
The search for Arthur began as early as 1946 when the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) stepped in to conduct extensive searches in the Althorn area where Pvt. Crossland had last been seen. Despite their relentless efforts, they were unable to find any identifiable remains. By 1950, the Office of the Quartermaster General declared him non-recoverable.
Fast forward to recent years, and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) took up the mantle, diving into historical research to find soldiers who went missing near Althorn. Their investigation led to the exhumation of unknown remains designated as Unknown X-535, believed to be linked to Pvt. Crossland.
The Science Behind Identification
Thanks to a team of dedicated scientists from the DPAA, the process of identification involved a mix of anthropology, circumstantial evidence, and advanced DNA analysis. Techniques such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and Y-chromosome DNA (Y-STR) were used to confirm the identity of Crossland, bringing a sense of closure to his family.
A Place of Honor
Pvt. Crossland’s name will forever be etched on the Walls of the Missing at the Epinal American Cemetery in Dinozé, France. But soon, it will be marked with a rosette, signifying that he has finally been accounted for. To top it all off, a burial ceremony is slated for March 14, 2025, right in his hometown of Columbia.
How to Keep Informed
For those wishing to express their condolences or perhaps learn more about the funeral arrangements, the Army Casualty Office is available at (800) 892-2490. And for anyone interested in the ongoing efforts to locate and bring home missing American personnel, the DPAA has more information available on their official website at www.dpaa.mil.
It’s moments like these that remind us of the sacrifices made by our service members. Columbia, let’s join together and honor Pvt. Arthur W. Crossland Jr.—a true American hero finally heading home after all these years.
