WWII pilot’s remains returning to southern Ill.

Associated Press

EFFINGHAM, Ill. — The remains of a World War II pilot killed in a midair collision during training over England finally are headed home to southern Illinois.

Second Lt. Charles “Butch” Moritz of Effingham died in 1944, but his remains and his P-51 Mustang’s wreckage were found last September.

Moritz’s remains were identified after his dog tags, ID bracelet and a wallet containing papers with his name were found at the crash site.

A worker at Effingham’s Johnson Funeral Home says Moritz’s remains are to be flown into St. Louis from Hawaii on Thursday, then driven to Effingham with a Patriot Guard motorcycle escort.

Moritz will be interred May 5 in Oakridge Cemetery in Effingham after a ceremony with military rites.

Moritz’s siblings are deceased.