Remains of Holliston WWII vet identified, presented to family

ANTRIM, N.H. — It's a question that has haunted the family of a Holliston World War II fighter pilot for 75 years: would he ever come home after his plane crashed in France in 1944?

'His family just received the answer they've been waiting all these years to hear.

Ninety-four-year-old Madelyn Klose has waited a lifetime for her older brother to finally return home.

"Early on, I always dreamed he was going to come back," Klose said.

First Lt. Burleigh E. Curtis was part of the greatest generation. Now his sister and her family say they are getting the greatest gift.

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"The fact that, 75 years later, our family now gets the chance – the country gets the chance – to welcome him home and say welcome back is truly remarkable," said Clint Klose, Lt. Curtis's nephew.

Remarkable because Lt. Curtis's family never thought he'd come home. The Holliston native was a 22-year-old fighter pilot when his plane crashed into a field during a bombing run in France in June 1944.

"He died what he wanted to do," Madelyn said. "He always wanted to be a pilot."

A French cabinetmaker who witnessed the crash buried lt. Curtis' remains the next day. However, when military officials went to recover them in 1947, no remains were found.

But a nongovernmental organization excavated the crash site in September 2017 and believed they found his remains.

"These are miracles that happen," Madelyn said. "I feel my brother's life is still speaking, and this is what I did for you."

In December, the Defense POW – MIA Accounting Agency confirmed that the bones discovered in France belong to Lt. Curtis.

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Two weeks ago, the family was presented with personal items that he was buried with – including his dog tags, pocket compass and coins.

"I'm so grateful that mom is still alive to experience this, and how strange it is that her children will now be at the service of her brother, who died 75 years ago," said Cherryl Boucher, Lt. Curtis' niece.

The family of Lt. Burleigh E. Curtis will honor his life and legacy during June in Maine, when they bury him in their family plot with full military honors.

Cox Media Group