Remains Of Madison Soldier Killed In 1944 Brought Home To CT

MADISON, CT — He was born in North Madison on June 21, 1918, grew up on Opening Hill Road, attended Daniel Hand High School and worked at Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven, his obituary reads.

In February of 1941, he enlisted in the Army and would be a member of the Headquarters Company, 1st battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division.

In 1944, U.S. Army Sgt. John E. Hurlburt, 26, was killed in action on Saipan when Japanese forces on the islands launched a final desperate attack against U.S. forces, according to the Department of Defense. He was reported as missing in action as his remains were not recovered at the time of his death. Though after the war, a set of unknown remains were recovered from Saipan that were tentatively associated with Hurlburt as they were recovered with the sergeant's identification tags, his service record reads.

With advances in forensic techniques, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency positively identified Hurlburt's remains earlier this year and he'll be buried Aug. 14 with full military honors at Beaverdale Memorial Park, at 90 Pine Rock Ave., in New Haven.

One of Hurlburt's extended nephews, Alan Hurlburt, told Patch that "We are just happy to have John home after all these years."

Hurlburt is in the the care of Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home in East Haven. His services and motorcade to the cemetery is set for Aug. 14.

East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora has asked the community to "line Main Street from Clancy to the cemetery to honor his sacrifice and show his family that time has not forgotten those that sacrificed during WWII."

And representatives from the East Haven fire and police department will be participating in the motorcade.

Here's Hurlburt's full obituary from Clancy-Palumbo:

United States Army Sgt. John “Johnnie” E. Hurlburt, age 26, whose remains were recently identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, will be laid to rest back on American soil under the care of the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home in East Haven, CT.

Hurlburt, a member of the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division, was killed July 7, 1944 during a Japanese attack on the island of Saipan. For his bravery in battle, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. In June, 75 years after his death and following a decade-long effort by the DPAA, his family was notified of the identification, through family DNA.

John Hurlburt, the son of Harry and Clara (Widmann) Hurlburt. He was born in North Madison on June 21, 1918, and grew up on Opening Hill Road. He attended Daniel Hand High School and then worked at Winchester Repeating Arms Company in New Haven. On February 11, 1941, he enlisted with the 102nd infantry.

Survivors include his nieces Kathleen (Griffith) Esposito (husband, Gabriel) of Guilford, Michelle (Griffith) Horan (husband, Richard) of Guilford, nephew, Scott Griffith (wife, Maria) of Meriden and John Connelly (wife, Debbie) of New Haven. He is also survived by his extended nephews, Alan Hurlburt (wife, Patricia) of Madison and Scott Hurlburt (wife, Carrie Anne) of Orange, niece Marilyn (Hurlburt) Gyllensvard (wife, Kate) of Mass. and several extended nieces/nephews from New Hampshire.

John is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Doris (Hurlburt) Griffith and Ruth (Hurlburt) Connelly and two brothers, Leroy Hurlburt and Gerald Hurlburt along with nephews, Robert Griffith, Carl Griffith and James Connelly and a niece, Linda Connelly.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 9 AM until the time of a brief service at 11 A.M in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven CT. His motorcade will then leave the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home for a 12 P.M. (Noon) graveside service and Full Military Honors at Beaverdale Memorial Park, 90 Pine Rock Ave., New Haven CT.

Read more >> Remains Of Madison Soldier Killed In WWII ID'd After 77 Years