WWII POW Cpl. Richard Veal’s Remains Return to Albuquerque After 84 Years in Philippines

POLICY WIRE — Albuquerque, United States — After an 84-year absence, the remains of a World War II soldier, who tragically perished as a prisoner of war, have finally been brought home to Albuquerque.

U.S. Army Cpl. Richard Veal, a brave serviceman, was solemnly transported to Salazar Funeral Home, marking his poignant return following his death as a captive during the conflict. Historical records from the prison camp confirm that Japanese forces apprehended Cpl. Veal, holding him alongside thousands of other American and Filipino military personnel in their brutal detention facilities.

A Long-Awaited Homecoming

The discovery and identification of Cpl. Veal’s remains brought profound news to his family. “The Army contacted me; they informed me they had located his remains,” stated Jennie Charrette, Cpl. Veal’s niece. She recounted the emotional moment last September when she first learned the news.

“I cried. I cried,” Charrette described. “There were tears, because after all these years. When I was a kid, I remember hearing my grandma cry for him all the time. ‘Mi Ricardo. Mi Ricardo.’”

Advanced DNA technology played a crucial role in confirming Cpl. Veal’s identity, using samples provided by Charrette and her siblings.

Decades of Uncertainty and Discovery

For decades, the family harbored fears regarding the circumstances of his passing, largely assuming he had endured torture. However, new information revealed a different reality. “He was ill, and he passed away in the hospital or infirmary,” Charrette clarified. “He was not tortured. That was a wonderful thing to learn, because all these years, I assumed he had died from torture.”

Cpl. Veal’s death was attributed to pellagra disease, a condition resulting from a deficiency of niacin, an essential nutrient vital for converting food into energy. This revelation brought a measure of peace to the family, altering a long-held, painful narrative.

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Reflecting on her grandmother’s grief, Charrette expressed profound relief. “She would be incredibly happy to know that he came home.” The recent return, she added, has evoked tears of respect and honor, a stark contrast to the sorrow of the past. “We were all very touched by the respect he’s being paid, by the honor he’s being given.” The U.S. Army’s ongoing commitment to accounting for missing service members was lauded, a dedication often seen across various operations, including critical public safety efforts, such as those recently undertaken in Torrance County.

The Final Resting Place

During his distinguished service in the Army, Cpl. Veal was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War medals. His family is now making arrangements for his interment this Friday in Santa Fe, providing a long-delayed sense of closure and an opportunity for a proper farewell.

Charrette extended a message of hope to other families awaiting the return of loved ones. “Don’t give up hope. 80 years and our uncle is back. He’s been identified. His remains have come. So if you have somebody that was out there, keep hoping. The Army’s doing a great job.”