LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A missing World War II soldier from Kentucky has now been accounted for.
In September 1943, 29-year-old Kenneth Burgess of Central City, Kentucky, about 120 miles southwest of Louisville, was assigned to the 4th Ranger Battalion “Darby’s Rangers." The rangers were serving in the Mediterranean Theater during the war, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
Burgess was later reported to have been killed in action near Sala, Italy, during Operation Avalanche, but his body was never found. The War Department declared Burgess non-recoverable on May 10, 1948.
Remains were recovered from a cemetery in 1947 near Burgess’ last known location in Italy, but officials didn't have enough information to positively identify them.
However, last September, scientists were finally able to identify the remains as Burgess.
Burgess' name is on the Walls of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, and a rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate that he has been accounted for.
Burgess will be buried in Central City this May.
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