Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) is joining community members in Boonville, New York, in welcoming World War II Army Pvt. Harland J. Hennessey back home. Pvt. Hennessey was one of 10 men buried in a mass grave known as Common Grave 704 after succumbing to disease and malnutrition in a Japanese prisoner of war camp in 1942.

For more than 80 years, Hennessey’s family wondered if his remains would ever be identified and returned home. In that time, Harland J. Hennessey VFW Post 5538 was named in his honor, and his family and community remembered his service and sacrifice. Decades later, in 2018, two out of the 10 men buried in Common Grave 704 were finally identified through the use of sophisticated forensic analysis—one of those men was Pvt. Hennessey. Smullen asserts this breakthrough is nothing short of a miracle, and he is proud to join the Oneida County community in welcoming Pvt. Hennessey home.

“Seeing a fallen serviceman be identified and delivered home after eight decades of the unknown is truly inspiring,” said Smullen. “During my 24 years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, I had the honor and privilege of meeting and getting to know courageous men and women whom I will never forget. For those killed on active duty, it means the world to their families and loved ones to have their remains retrieved and returned home. My heart goes out to the family of Pvt. Hennessey—it is my hope they have found much-needed peace in knowing he is finally coming home. Pvt. Harland J. Hennessey: We thank you for your service to your nation. Welcome home.”