An American hero from Alabama is finally coming home to be laid to rest. Private First Class Noah Reeves, 26, was killed in action on December 6, 1944 in Germany. His remains were not discovered until three years after the war.

According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, “In late 1944, Reeves was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division in the European Theater during World War II. His battalion had been engaged with heavily fortified German forces near the town of Vossenack, Germany, in the Hürtgen Forest, when he was reported killed in action on Dec. 6. Shortly after the firefight, both sides held a temporary truce along the Kall River gorge to recover their wounded and dead. A German officer handed over Reeves’ identification tags and pay book, attesting to both his death and recovery by German forces. Members of his unit were not able to recover his body from the Germans before fighting resumed. Pfc. Reeves’ remains were not accounted for following the war.

At the end of the war, the American Graves Registration Command (AGRC) was tasked with investigating and recovering missing American personnel in Europe. They conducted several investigations in the Hürtgen area between 1946 and 1950, but were unable to recover or identify Reeves’ remains. He was declared non-recoverable in November 1951.”

Reeves remains were identified through extensive DNA testing.

When Reeves’ remains arrive in Alabama, he will be greeted on the tarmac by a combined honor guard from the American Legion Post 25 in Moulton and Post 15 in Decatur. According to Terry, a motorcade of veterans will follow the hearse from the Birmingham airport down Interstate 20 all the way to Interstate 65 heading north towards Moulton.

“Take the time, a few minutes to take your children out. Go see this event, honor Noah, and take a look at how many people are in that group say thank you to one who gave so much,” American Legion Post 15 Commander Phil Terry told WBRC.

According to the group, all are welcome to attend today’s processional with Fultondale’s American Legion Post 255. They’ll be along the overpass on Interstate 65 at exit 267 on Walker Chapel Road. He said the convoy should pass through sometime around 5:30 and 6 p.m.

Reeves will lie in state from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on April 29 at Lawrence Funeral Home for anyone who would like to pay their respects. His graveside service will be at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30 at Moulton Memory Gardens with Rev. Zach Terry officiating.

Burial with full military honors will follow with Lawrence Funeral Home directing.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.