Us Army Tech 5 Harold Dean Pittis

Tech 5 Harold Dean Pittis is scheduled to arrive on Southwest Airlines, Flight #171 at 6:30 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2024 at John Glenn International Airport, Columbus, Ohio. A procession led by the Honor Guard Riders will leave John Glenn International Airport in Columbus and take I-270 South to I-70 East to I-77 North to SR 22 East to Sr 800 North to Freeport. Make two left hand turns and arrive at Koch Funeral Home, 216 S High Street, Freeport around 9:15-9:30 pm.

Everyone is welcome Saturday, September 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a walk-by viewing which will be held in the Freeport Presbyterian Church, 104 Pine Street, Freeport, followed by a procession to Greenmont Union Cemetery, 77098 Freeport-Tippecanoe Road, Freeport. At approximately 1:30 p.m. a Military Honors Service will begin followed by burial near his family. All are welcome to a social time at the Freeport Fire Station following the service.

In February 1945, U.S. Army Technician Fifth Grade Harold Dean Pittis was listed as Missing in Action after his unit, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division, was engaged in fierce fighting near the town of Beiersdorf, Germany, when he was reported killed in action by small arms fire on February 8, 1945. His body was unable to be recovered due to intense fighting against heavily reinforced German forces on an elevated position. Despite various recovery attempts, Pittis' remains were not accounted for during or after the war.

In 1951, remains were recovered from a wooded area southeast of Beiersdorf. Remnants of military clothing, an American helmet and ammunition were found, but no identification tags or personal effects were located. The remains were designated X-8517 Neuville and interred at the U.S. Military Cemetery at Tunisia, known today as the North Africa American Cemetery.

In 2017, the Pittis family was notified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Washington D.C. and a request was made for DNA samples of family members. In July of 2024, the only surviving sister, Betty Louise Pittis Everhart, of Florida was notified there was a positive match. His remains were held at Offutt, Nebraska Air Force Base until recently when arrangements were made to fly him home to Freeport, Ohio.

Harold Dean Pittis was born March 23, 1923. He was a 1942 graduate of Freeport High School and he registered for the military in 1942. He was one of twelve children of the late Robert Vernon Pittis and Gustava May Milleson Pittis.

One sister, Betty Louise Pittis Everhart of Florida survives as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ten siblings (six brothers and four sisters) are deceased. Their names were Robert (Bob), Herbert, Duane, Dwight, Dennis, and William (Bill), Shirley, Pauline (Polly), Helen Jean (Jeanie), and Mary.

Thanks to the unending efforts of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the American Graves Registration Command and the miracle of DNA science, the family is finally able to bring their beloved brother and uncle home to his final resting place with his family.

Koch Funeral Home of Freeport was honored with helping the family bring Mr. Pittis home for burial. Online condolences may be left for the family on their website: www.kochfuneralhome.net