Staff Sgt. Harold Schafer, a World War II soldier from Colorado, was finally brought back home 80 years after he was killed in combat overseas. He was buried at Denver’s Fort Logan National Cemetery with a full military honors service, including bagpipes and a 21-gun salute. Schafer was 28 years old when he was killed while fighting in Germany in 1944. He had joined the Army in 1943 and was part of the 90th Infantry Division that crossed the Saar River and attempted to capture towns in Germany.
After being mortally wounded by machine gun fire in December 1944, Schafer’s body was unable to be recovered by his fellow servicemen before they had to relocate to a safe area. The American Graves Registration Command conducted investigations in the Pachten-Dillingen area from 1946 to 1950 to recover bodies of servicemen from Schafer’s division. However, they were unable to match his body, and his remains were only identified in 2023. Schafer was reportedly killed while trying to help a fellow soldier in a foxhole during combat.
Schafer’s family had suffered greatly due to his death and the fact that they were never able to bury his body. The identification of his remains after so many years brought them relief and peace. His niece, Barb Bernhard, expressed the family’s emotions during the service as they finally got to honor their uncle and lay him to rest. The news of the identification was a welcome surprise for the family, especially for Schafer’s grandmother, who had never fully recovered from her grandson’s death.
The service at Fort Logan National Cemetery was a long-awaited moment for Schafer’s family, providing closure and a sense of relief as they finally got to bring him home. Bernhard mentioned that her grandmother’s greatest wish was to have Schafer back home, which was finally fulfilled after decades of uncertainty. The solemn service with full military honors allowed the family to pay tribute to Schafer’s sacrifice and offer him the final resting place he deserved after his heroic actions during World War II.
The event highlighted the dedication and commitment of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in identifying and bringing home fallen soldiers from past conflicts. Schafer’s story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by servicemen and their families during wartime. The long-awaited return of his remains and the subsequent burial ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery provided closure not only to Schafer’s family but also to the community, honoring his memory and recognizing his service to the country. As we reflect on the sacrifices made by soldiers like Staff Sgt. Harold Schafer, it is essential to remember and honor their contributions to our nation’s history and freedom.
