Arizona WWII Veteran Missing for Decades Finally Laid to Rest 5 Months After Identification

Pfc. Alcario Flores is believed to have been killed in January 1945 during World War II. Nearly 80 years later, his remains were returned home to be laid to rest.

GUADALUPE, Arizona — After being missing in action for nearly 80 years, a World War II veteran from Arizona was laid to rest this morning.

Last month, the remains of 37-year-old U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Alcario V. Flores of Coolidge were identified. The process culminated in an emotional ceremony in Guadalupe this Saturday.

“We’re just happy that Alcario Flores is coming to the Guadalupe area again,” said Benito Valencia of Guadalupe American Legion Post 124.

Members of the post emphasized the importance of integrating cultural elements into Pfc. Flores’ memorial.

“Finally getting his resting place and the whole family is now comfortable,” remarked Valencia.

The homecoming met the long-held hopes of Flores’ nephew.

“He’s 89 years old and finally saw his uncle come back home,” Valencia added.

Distant relatives like Jesus Osuna were surprised and moved by the identification of Flores’ remains.

“I didn’t know we had any family members in the military, let alone from World War II,” Osuna stated, expressing pride in his newfound heritage.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) informed Flores’ family about his identification. The agency works relentlessly to locate and return those missing from past wars, including World War II.

DPAA spokesperson Sean Everette reported that Pfc. Flores was killed amid intense fighting along the Franco-German border in January 1945.

“Because of the intensity of the fighting, his body was unable to be recovered at that time,” he explained.

For decades, there were no findings of him being a German prisoner or recovery of his remains.

“The U.S. War Department issued a ‘Report of Death’ in January 1946,” Everette continued.

It wasn’t until 2021 that a breakthrough occurred.

“A metal detectorist discovered human remains and material evidence linking those remains to U.S. Army troops,” Everette detailed. “A DPAA team in Europe recovered the remains and transferred them for analysis.”

Through meticulous DNA testing, experts officially identified the remains as Pfc. Flores in March of this year, bringing a sense of relief to his family.

“If it was me 80 years from now, I’d love for my descendants to show the same respect,” said Osuna.

The community expressed deep gratitude for Flores’ sacrifice.

“It’s very heartfelt that we had our own soldier come back home and rest,” said Valencia.

“He was a resident of Guadalupe, and we were honored to welcome him home,” added Rudy Fimbres of Guadalupe American Legion Post 124.

Nearly 80 years after his death, Pfc. Flores is finally resting in peace.

“I know it would make my soul happy to get the treatment he deserves,” Osuna stated.

Pfc. Flores’ name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Epinal American Cemetery in France, along with others from World War II.

A rosette marks him as accounted for, bringing a long-awaited closure.