Remains of Houston WWII soldier laid to rest

Family members of 1st Lt. Ottaway Cornwell gathered Sept. 23 at Houston National Cemetery to see their loved one laid to rest more than 75 years after his death.

Cornwell was born in Beaumont, Texas, in 1921 and moved to Houston where he later attended high school. He joined the Army Air Forces soon after and married his wife only four days before deploying for combat in WWII.

As a member of the 12th Air Force, 52nd Fighter Group, 4th Fighter Squadron, he was flying a Spitfire JK-948 on a reconnaissance mission Jan. 27, 1944, when his plane was shot down in Southern France.

Cornwell’s remains were found in 2016 when a Frenchman discovered debris and bone fragments from the crash near his home. After DNA analysis in 2018, it was confirmed to be Cornwell.

 Cornwell was finally coming home

With the help of Cornwell’s family and the American, French and German governments, Cornwell’s remains finally came home to Texas.

The Patriot Guard Riders escorted his remains to Houston National Cemetery for his final resting place on Sept. 23, 2022, and numerous community members also came to pay respects and to honor this WWII Soldier.

“Lieutenant Cornwell played an important part of our history and we never want to forget the sacrifice he gave to this country,” said Roy Luera, Houston National Cemetery director. “Not everyone here today may have known him, but he is still our brother and we are honored to finally give him a proper burial.”

VA operates 155 national cemeteries

VA operates 155 national cemeteries and 34 soldiers’ lots and monument sites in 44 states and Puerto Rico. More than five million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA cemeteries.

Fulfilling President Lincoln’s call “to care for him who shall have borne the battle,” VA also provides headstones, markers or medallions for Veterans buried in State and Territorial Veterans cemeteries or interred in private cemeteries.