Kentucky soldier killed in action in WWII returning home for burial

A Kentucky soldier killed in action during World War II will be laid to rest in radcliff.

U.S. Army Private Mike R. McDowell enlisted in the Army from Kentucky, and served in Company B, 1st Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), known as “Merrill’s Marauders”, in the China-Burma-India Theater. McDowell was declared killed in action during the Battle of Myitkyina in Burma in July of 1944. The U.S. Army Human Resources Command says limited records survived the battle and the details surrounding his loss are unknown, and he was declared non-recoverable in April 1952.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency accounted for McDowell on January 29. He is survived by his third cousin, Judy Clark, and her husband Richard.

Visitation for Private McDowell will be Wednesday, July 29 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Chism Family Funeral Home in Vine Grove. He will then be laid to rest with full military honors at 10:30 a.m. in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central. The public is invited to attend.