After much waiting, the remains of World War II veteran Noel Shoup will be returning home to Dublin this Friday.
A processional will be held to pay respects to Shoup on Friday whose arrival in Dublin is estimated after 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8.
Shoup died Feb. 28, 1944 when his B-17 crashed near Le Translay, Somme, Picardie, France. However, his remains were not recovered and identified until 2023 through the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency branch of the Department of Defense.
Both Shoup and his copilot James Litherland Jr.’s remains were marked as unidentified and all were buried in the English World War I Memorial Cemetery at Abbeville on March 2, 1944.
The remains were moved in June 1945 to the United States Military Cemetery at St. Andre, France and later Suresnes American Cemetery in France where the unknown remains were designated simply as St. Andre X-452. It was there where portions of both Noel and his co-pilot were recovered, laying in rest together for 78 years, as well as from the crash site. His Dublin High School Class of 1936 ring was also recovered along with his remains.
Shoup is survived by his nieces Sandra M. Hammons and Brenda C. Baumert along with a host of cousins and other family members.
There will be a viewing for American Hero Noel Shoup Sunday, Sept. 10 at Harrell Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.
Shoup will be buried after his service at 1 p.m. Sept. 11 on what would have been his 105th birthday at Greens Creek Baptist Church with full military honors at the Upper Greens Creek Cemetery next to the church.
All services are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to honor Shoup over the weekend. Since this is a celebration, traditional funeral attire is not required and the family encourages everyone to be comfortable.
For more information on Shoup, see his obituary and Museum Matters in this week’s edition.