Forgotten veterans from the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War to be laid to rest in joint committal service at Arlington National Cemetery

5/9/2013

Updated May 8, 2013

Forgotten veterans from the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War to be laid to rest in joint committal service at Arlington National Cemetery

ARLINGTON, Va. – Arlington National Cemetery announced the names of the veterans who will be laid to rest in a joint full honors committal service on May 9 at 9 a.m., as part of the dedication of its ninth columbarium court.

The committal service will honor the following veterans:

• 1st Lt. Zuinglius K. McCormack was born in 1843. He served in the United States Army during the Civil War in 1864, with the Indiana 132nd Infantry Regiment. He saw action with Maj. General William Sherman’s Army in such campaigns as Buzzard Roost, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain and the Battle of Jonesboro. After honorably serving our country, McCormack later died on Oct. 28, 1912.

• Pvt. Lycurgus McCormack is the younger brother of Lt. McCormack, and was born in 1845. He served in the United States Army in 1863, with the Indiana 103rd Infantry Regiment. In July of 1863, Indianapolis received intelligence that a rumored force of 6,000 cavalry under Brig. Gen. John Morgan had crossed the Ohio River and was moving on Corydon. A call was issued for citizens to organize for defense. Within 48 hours, 65,000 men from southern Indiana had stepped forward at this call to service, and Lycurgus McCormack was one of these Minute Men. After honorably serving our country, McCormack later died on Oct. 11, 1908.

• Pfc. Albert Klatt was born in Michigan in 1921. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942, and was stationed with the Marine First Division in the Pacific theater during the Second World War. Klatt fought for our nation during numerous campaigns including the Battles of New Guinea, Peleliu, and Okinawa. After leaving active service in 1945, he settled in California to raise a family. After honorably serving our country, Klatt later died on Jan. 28, 1999.

• Seaman Second Class Peter Schwartz was born in 1898.  Entering the United States Navy during the First World War, he served from the fall of 1917 to late summer of 1919.  After honorably serving our country, Schwartz later died on January 2, 1996.

• Staff Sgt. Dennis Banks was born in 1943. He entered the United States Air Force in 1967, just as the conflict in Vietnam was escalating. He served our country overseas in the Vietnam War, and returned home a combat veteran to complete his service in 1971. After honorably serving our country, Banks later died on April 19, 2004.

• Seaman 2nd Class Virginia Wood was born in 1923. She served in the “SPARS” – the Women’s Reserve of the U.S. Coast Guard – during World War II. She enlisted in 1944, and like her fellow recruits, possessed such traits as athletic fitness and solid nautical knowledge, with extensive sailing experience. The SPAR’s successful performance of vital administrative and organizational functions extended their duty from purely clerical and administrative tasks, to the most important port security, logistical and administrative jobs by war's end. After honorably serving our country, Wood later died on Feb. 28, 2010. She donated her body to advance medical education, clinical training and research study.

The Missing in America Project initially identified six remains to be the first interments in the ninth columbarium court. MIAP is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that locates, identifies and inters the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans.

The family of the veteran initially identified to represent the Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class Laura Bowers, has been located and her remains have been returned to her family.

“For their dedication and honorable service to our country, these veterans have certainly earned their place among the patriots honored here at Arlington National Cemetery,” said Kathryn A. Condon, executive director of Army National Military Cemeteries.

“When we swear the oath to serve our country, we offer our strength, our skills, and our very lives to defend this land we love and call home.  Even though they may not have a family to remember them, or kin to mourn them, America owes them a debt of gratitude for their service in defense of our Constitution and our freedoms,” said U.S. Army Chaplain, Capt. Dave Dice.
Arlington National Cemetery is committed to honoring the legacy of our fallen heroes, veterans and their families through dignified military burial and inurnment services. The work that Arlington is undertaking today will further enable the cemetery to be a place for people to Honor, Remember and Explore this Nation’s rich history well into the future.