The Long Journey Home: Remains Of Ohio Soldier Killed In WW2 To Be Returned

LAKEWOOD, OH — The story of Sergeant Thomas Michael McGraw's return home after death is a long one. It spans continents and decades and war on a global scale. Ultimately, the story will end with McGraw being returned to and buried in his hometown — Lakewood.

McGraw was killed on Feb. 28, 1945, while taking part in an aerial mission in Italy during World War 2, says Mary Sue McGorray of McGorray-Hanna Funeral Home, which is handling McGraw's burial. The plane crashed into the ocean and McGraw's remains were lost at sea for more than half a century.

Divers eventually located McGraw's B-24 Liberator heavy bomber. Unfortunately, the site became a popular attraction for divers in the Adriatic Sea, and underwater visitors frequently searched through the downed aircraft. (Subscribe to the Patch Lakewood newsletter for local news and updates.)

One of McGraw's nephews, James Fox, started a petition to bring his uncle and the other crewmen home. "Documented incidents of looting threaten to desecrate the resting place of our fallen heroes with each passing day," he wrote at the time.

Eventually, the U.S. government and armed forces helped procure the remains of the airmen in the B-24, including McGraw.

McGorray said McGraw's remains will arrive at Cleveland-Hopkins airport on Wednesday night, where a Dignified Transfer of Remains processional will be held. The processional will reach Lakewood at about 7 p.m.

The procession through Lakewood will pause in front of Lakewood Fire Station 1 and St. Clement, where McGraw attended school.

There will be a public visitation on Thursday at the funeral home, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Friday there will be a public funeral mass held at St. Clement Church. McGraw's actual internment will be a private ceremony for family.

Photo from McGorray-Hanna Funeral Home