Remains of World War II veteran returned to Alabama after 80 years

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A World War II veteran is finally back home after 80 years. Private First Class Noah Reeves will finally be laid to rest after dying for his country 80 years ago.

PFC Noah Reeves, a Moultan, Alabama native, is finally back home! Thursday, once people realized what was happening after the plane carrying his remains landed, people were glued to the window welcoming Reeves home. Records indicate Reeves died December 6, 1944 before a ceasefire between the US troops and German soldiers. Reeves’ dog tags were handed over by the Germans and he was confirmed dead before the fighting picked back up. His remains were not found until 1947 and they weren’t officially identified until recently.

Local American legion posts in the Birmingham metro and in north Alabama came together Thursday to escort Reeves back to Moulton where he will be buried.

“Our military members, men and women, leave their homes. They sign a contract so that we will take care of you and we will sacrifice our life to keep you free, and not only to keep American’s free, but to keep the world free and we should honor that,” said Ron Bradstreet, Alt. National executive committeeman for american Legion Department of Alabama.

A lot of people of people were out Thursday afternoon to witness Reeves being brought back to north Alabama. According to the Army, Reeves will lie in repose on Monday, April 29 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. before being buried.

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