Remains of WWII soldier returning to Kansas

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) -- The ashes of a Kansas soldier who went missing during World War II are being brought to his home state two years after his remains were found in a German forest.

Army Pvt. Henry "Rickey" E. Marquez, of Kansas City, Kan., was killed in November 1944 while fighting with the 112th Infantry of the 28th Division in the Heurtgen Forest. His body could not be recovered and the military listed him as "missing in action." His family had held out hope he had survived.

But a German souvenir hunter found Marquez's dog tags and his remains in the forest two years ago. More than 170 U.S. servicemen remain unaccounted for in the forest.

"It's like it's all back again, and we hurt real bad," said Hildreth Stuart, who received the dog tag's last week. "When I look at that and I think, 'That was around my brother's neck. That was on his throat when they found him."'

Marquez's ashes will arrive in Kansas City on Wednesday, and he will be buried with full military honors Saturday.

Marquez grew up in the Armourdale area of Kansas City, Kan., one of six siblings. He was full of dreams and promise when he was drafted. He had a savings account, grew flowers, raised and sold pigeons, made money shining shoes. He played basketball and played the piano. His favorite song was "I'll Be With You in Apple Blossom Time."