Rhea County MIA World War II Solider laid to rest

August 14, 2021

DAYTON, Tenn. (WDEF)- The remains of Private Warren G.H. DeVault were laid to rest today in Rhea County.

Devault was 24 years old when he went Missing In Action in Germany more than 70 years ago.

Courtesy: DaVault Family

Bill Davault, Private DeVault’s nephew says, “The emotions today, I’d have to say overwhelmed.”

Private DeVault was killed in action on November 20th, 1944 in Germany after he was drafted in the Army.

His family has been waiting for his return.

Sending letters and waiting for the day when they could bury their loved one.

DaVault says, “There’s no telling how many letters they wrote, for any information to try to get where he is at and what happened to him and whatever. Any information they could get and they never received.”

DeVault’s 11 siblings and both parents have passed away.

But, the family never gave up hope.

After being identified and accounted for in September 2020, Private DeVault was brought back to Tennessee this week.

Courtesy: DaVault Family

“When he came off the plane, it was very touching, very heart warming. You could see everybody around. There were a lot of Army personnel there. but, there was a lot of airport employees there too. It seemed like they all had their caps off and they all were standing at attention and everybody was just wonderful”, adds DaVault.

Private DeVault’s nephew had a message for those that are still waiting for a loved one that is missing in action.

“There is hope. The government is trying to get them back because we are the only country in the world that searches for their lost soldiers and if there is anyway to get them back, they will.”