SEAFORD, Del.-Â George Johnson's remains have been multiple places and confused as someone else since he was killed in combat in 1944.
That someone was else was Staff Sergeant Jack Busch. The remains were buried in Upstate New York. As people were working in the cemetery, Busch's and Johnson's crosses were mixed up causing a 76-year case of mistaken identity. His niece Judi Thoroughgood received the call with news she never expected.
"When the call came in December and I saw defense department and thought the case was being closed," Thoroughgood said. "But they told me he had been identified so it was a real turnaround."
History Flight Archaeologist James Murphy was responsible for finding the remains. In an interview last year with WRDE, he says there is so much that goes into the handling of transferring military members home.
"When you watch U.S. servicemen and women that are there and the care and dedication they have to ensure the ceremony has so much respect and that these remains are going home with respect in every way possible," Murphy said.
On Saturday, Lieutenant George Johnson will take his rightful place of burial at Oddfellows Cemetery in Seaford. His family could not express enough how much it means to them to have him home and is a reminder for families to never give up on a loved one deemed missing in action.
"They're not giving up," Thoroughgood added. "And it's not just the South Pacific, it could be anywhere. Afghanistan. All past conflicts. They are still searching for the lost."