CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – The somber chords of remembrance echoed through the air as the Chillicothe Correctional Institution’s (CCI) Honor Guard stood in solemn tribute at the funeral services of Ward Thomas, a U.S. Army veteran whose disappearance in 1972 had long shrouded his fate in mystery.
Announced by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections on Wednesday, this poignant ceremony marked the final chapter in a decades-long saga that began when Mr. Thomas vanished after departing the V.A. Center in Chillicothe, where he had been receiving medical care.
Declared legally deceased in 1979, Mr. Thomas remained an enigma until 1996, when his remains were discovered near the tranquil banks of the Scioto River by vigilant CCI staff. Yet, it wasn’t until 2023 that his identity was finally unveiled, thanks to the tireless efforts of the DNA Doe Project and investigative genetic genealogy.
A veteran of the 77th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, Mr. Thomas had bravely served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during WWII, where he earned the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the Philippines in 1945 before being honorably discharged.
The presence of the CCI Honor Guard at his long-overdue funeral underscored not only a profound sense of duty but also a deep respect for Mr. Thomas’s service and sacrifice. As each ceremonial step was taken, it honored not just one man, but the countless heroes who have donned the uniform and served their country with valor.
The solemn occasion served as a poignant reminder of the importance of honoring those who have served, ensuring that their legacies endure in the hearts and minds of future generations.
