After more than 80 years after his death as a prisoner of the Japanese, 1st Lieutenant Robert P. Aikman will be returning home next week to be buried beside his mother in Forsyth.
Army lieutenant Aikman was killed during World War 2 when the Japanese ship on which he was being transported was sunk, according to a 1945 War Department document.
He had been a prisoner of war from December 1941 until listed as missing in action and later declared dead upon evidence from the Japanese Goverment in July 1945.
His remains were buried in a mass grave after being recovered from the sinking and were later recovered.
Forensic investigation determined his identity and now the Department of War is returning his remains for a proper burial in the Ozarks.
Warriors Watch and the Missouri State Highway Patrol will escort the remains from the Springfield-Branson National Airport to Greenlawn Funeral Home in Branson on May 14th.
A procession is planned down I-44 and U.S. 65 with large flags on overpasses along the route.