DNA testing identifies WWII Marine after 80 years; returns home to 94-year-old Bay Area niece

SAN BRUNO, Calif. (KGO) -- A long-awaited homecoming was carried out with reverence Wednesday as friends, family and local leaders gathered in San Mateo County to honor a soldier killed in action during World War II. Thanks to advanced DNA technology, his remains were finally identified after 80 years.

Marine Pfc. Helmut Fred Behlert was buried with full military honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno.

Ninety-four-year-old Ruth Green of El Sobrante said it felt like a miracle.

The remains of her beloved "Uncle Helm" returned home just in time for Memorial Day.

"Everything is just fitting into place. I guess there is a reason for everything, you know," Green said.

Green, her family, veterans' groups and local leaders gathered to remember Behlert's service and sacrifice and to honor his heroic actions.

Behlert was killed in action during World War II at age 27.

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"I am proud of my uncle for his service and making our country safe so that we have a good place to live. It means a lot to me that he was willing to do that for his country," Green said.

For 80 years, Behlert's remains were unidentified. They were moved to Hawaii, but no one knew who they belonged to.

In 2001, Green's sister-in-law read a column by advice columnist Ann Landers about efforts to identify missing American service members through family DNA. Green's brother submitted a DNA sample.

Last December, nearly 25 years later, Green received a call from the Marines that the remains of "Uncle Helm" had been found and identified.

"That was amazing. At first, we thought it was a scam. I could not believe it," Green said.

Behlert's remains returned home last Thursday.

Green was at San Francisco International Airport for the emotional homecoming.

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"She was actually at the airport, full military honors, and then the casket was brought out," said Supervisor Jackie Speier.

A special tribute was held Wednesday in Behlert's honor.

"We owe them the promise that we will never stop looking, that no one who wore the uniform is forgotten," said a representative for Congressman Kevin Mullin's office.

The tribute highlighted Behlert's ultimate sacrifice.

"Pfc. Behlert was killed in action on June 15, 1944, in Saipan in one of the pivotal assaults against Japanese forces," Speier said. "It was a pivotal time of the war. The assault was one of the deadliest amphibious landings of World War II. Thousands of American service members were killed."

Advanced DNA technology and the persistence of investigators finally brought answers.

Green and her family say they have found healing and a chance to honor Behlert.

"It is a miracle. I do not know what to say," Green said.

"It is 80 years late, but we are going to make sure he is remembered for all the sacrifices he made," Speier said. "Here we are on the eve of Memorial Day, and it is so important to remember all those lives that have perished to save us."