SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A World War II Veteran was brought back home on Wednesday after 80 years. Seaman Second Class Jerome Mullaney's remains have been missing for over 80 years.
After the US Navy's POW and MIA discovered and identified his body, he is now back home in Scranton.
Seaman Second Class Jerome Mullaney's remains have been missing for over 80 years. After the U.S. Navy's POW/MIA discovered and identified his body, he is now back home in Scranton.
"Never gets old to be a part of this. If you talk to any of the sailors that were here today in their dress whites, this is always a big deal for them," said Rear Admiral David Faehnle, Commandant of the Naval District Washington.
Seaman Second Class Mullaney died aboard the USS Glennon two days after the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944.
His remains were missing since then until recently, when they were discovered and identified by the US Navy's POW/MIA.
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His niece was never expecting to get closure on what happened to her uncle.
"If I'm honest, I'd say strange. It's been going on for so very long, it just became of everyone's life. This is only a small portion of the family," Mary Louise Brambilla, Second Class Mullaney's oldest niece, said.
Mullaney received the Purple Heart medal posthumously for his contributions to World War II.
"Repatriation, where, after 80 years, we are bringing a sailor home to his family and putting him to a final rest with his parents. Here in his hometown, with his nieces and nephews in attendance, is a fantastic honor and a privilege for me," Rear Admiral Faehnle told 28/22 News.
Mullaney would have been 99 years old this past April. His niece wants him to be remembered by one thing.
"Adventure-filled. It takes a lot of adventure at that age to want to join. He already had three brothers in the service," Brambilla explained.
As the only member of his family to join the Navy, he was never forgotten all these years later.
"It just goes to show that we never forget and we never leave anyone behind," Rear Admiral Faehnle added.
After the funeral service, Brambrilla said that the funeral on Wednesday was never about her, but her uncle who made the ultimate sacrifice.
