Missing PA WWII soldier identified, to be repatriated home

FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – A Pennsylvania soldier missing in action from World War II has been identified and will ultimately be buried at home.

US Army Soldier 1^st Class Harry H. Hosfelt Jr. was killed February 9, 1944 when his unit engaged German troops near the town of Cisterna di Latina, Italy. The 20-year-old soldier had been assigned to Company A, 30^th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division for a short period only.

His body was not found and he was not reported as a prisoner of war, prompting the War Department to proclaim him dead in February 1945.

The Army Quartermaster Corps was tasked with recovering missing American personnel as part of the American Graves Registration. In March 1945, investigators recovered a set of remains designated X-745, near the small hamlet of Ponte Rotto thought to be associated with Hosfelt. However, there was not enough data to positively identify Hosfelt and the remains were buried in what is now the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery.

While studying unresolved American casualties on the Anzio battlefield, a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency historian determined that the remains possibly belonged to Hosfelt, and efforts were made to identify the remains in September 2021.

To identify Hosfelt, scientists used dental and anthropological analyses, as well as mitochondrial DNA analyses. He was identified last year, but his family was only informed recently.

Before enlisting, Hosfelt was employed as a grader for the HC Frick Coke Company at its Continental Plant No. 1, according to newspaper archives. He first enlisted on March 29, 1943, and was trained at Fort McClelland, Alabama, and Camp Howze, Texas. Newspapers indicate that he was recognized as a sniper in the infantry.

Hosfelt was shipped overseas in September 1943 and arrived the following month in Africa, where he was assigned to a replacement battalion and joined the Fifth Army, according to newspaper reports.

He leaves behind a widow, Genevieve Hosfelt, and a 2-year-old son, Harry Hosfelt III., of Everson, Pennsylvania.

Hosfelt's name is inscribed on the walls of the missing at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery along with others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate that he has been found.

Hosfelt will be buried in Connellsville, Pennsylvania on June 29, 2024.