Military officials say the remains of U.S. Army Private Warren G.H. DeVault of Dayton, Tennessee will be returned to his home in Rhea County after nearly 80 years.

DeVault enlisted in the United States Army as a senior in high school.

In late 1944, he was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment 4th Infantry Division. His unit went into the Battle of the Hürtgen Forrest in Germany where he died in action.

At the end of World War II, the American Graves Registration began looking for those unaccounted for. DeVault’s remains were declared non-recoverable in early 1942. Officials continues to search through the many years and his remains were officially accounted for in late 2020.

DeVault will be buried August 14, 2021 in Spence Cemetery. Services are being handled by Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home. A time will be announced soon and the public will be invited to attend.