Charles meets boy whose find led to US soldier’s funeral, 77 years after his death
The Prince of Wales laughs with dancers on the second day of the royal visit to the Solomon Islands.
THE PRINCE of Wales met a 12-year-old boy who found a dogtag of a soldier which ultimately led to the US private’s remains returning home.
The Prince met Willie Bessi Devis on a visit to the Solomon Islands. The boy found the tag of Private First Class Dale William Ross as he was playing with friends near a waterfall in Barana.
Private Ross was reported killed in action in the Guadalcanal campaign during the Second World War – one of more than 7,000 Allied losses. Willie’s discovery led to his remains being found and returned to Oregon for a burial 77 years on.
Charles shook the boy’s hand and exchanged words with the youngster following a ceremony on Commonwealth Street, where he laid a wreath in remembrance of the scouts and coastwatchers who served during the conflict.
Willie, who attended the private’s funeral in Ashland,
Oregon, in September, said the waterfall was one of his favourite places to play.
“My friend was running and I saw it in the ground. I took it to
Willie Bessi Devis talked to Prince Charles about the soldier’s dogtag he found show my father, who said it was a dogtag,” he told Charles.
Willie and his father Henry returned to the jungle trail and found a second tag and bones and kept them safe, while another local, Lloyd Onorio, used social media to find relatives of the private.
Hundreds of people turned out for a glimpse of Charles during his visit.
The prince, on his first visit to the Islands, also met a group of dancers.
I saw it in the ground. I took it to my father who said it was a dogtag.