Staff
Sergeant Berthold Allen Chastain's Remains Found,
Identified, and Returned
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by Al Swilling
SENAA International
06 February 2011
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On
26 October 2010, one day before the 67th anniversary
of his disappearance, Berthold Allen Chastain's
daughter, Tulie Mae Chastain-Swilling, received a
phone call from the U.S. Army informing her that the
remains of her father, along with those of the other
eleven crewmen of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator
heavy bomber,
42-40918, the
"Shack Rat", had been recovered and positively
identified.
Subsequently,
Tulie received further phone calls and a personal visit from
members of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and from
Sgt. 1st Class John Lee from mortuary affairs in Fort Campbell,
KY. During that visit, Tulie was presented with, among other
things, a book containing the details of search and recovery
efforts from the date of her father's disappearance until the
recovery of the crew's remains and part of the plane wreckage.
The
cause of the crash is speculation based on the
events and weather conditions on the day of the
plane's disappearance. The wreckage and crew were
found on a steep mountainside approximately 200
miles north of where it was estimated that the plane
disappeared. Because the plane had been instructed
to land at Dobadura, on the opposite side of the
peninsula from Port Moresby because of bad weather
at Port Moresby, it is speculated that the plane
went off course in the heavy cloud cover and crashed
into the mountainside as a direct result of the low
ceiling.
The
wreckage was discovered when a local native found
part of a soldier's identification card. The
fragment belonged to Shack Rat pilot Jack E. Volz.
The Army sent personnel to the area to locate the
crash site. The site was spotted, but because of
language barriers and the inaccessible terrain, it
would be several months before any recovery efforts
could be arranged.
Attempts to get to the crash site proved impossible
from below, and the mountainside was too steep to
afford a landing zone in the vicinity of the crash.
Finally a recovery crew was able to access the crash
site by landing above the site and repelling down to
it on ropes. Recovery was a slow process due to the
steep terrain; but the crew's remains and part of
the wreckage were eventually retrieved, and the
identification process began.
The JPAC
official explained that the crew's remains were positively
identified using DNA that JPAC had collected from family members
over the years for that purpose.
Preparing the Way
Following their visit, JPAC began planning the
return of SSgt. Chastain's remains to his daughter
for proper funeral and burial. Tulie set the funeral
date for 02 February 2011, because 02 February is
her father's birthday. Sgt. 1st Class John Lee
worked closely with Tulie and with Ralph Buckner
Funeral Home to make the funeral arrangements and
organize the event.
With
mixed emotions of relief and sorrow, Tulie informed
local media that her father's remains had been found
and would be brought home for burial. Local
newspapers, as well as local TV news crews,
interviewed Tulie Swilling. The three TV area
stations and the Dalton, Cleveland, and Chattanooga
newspapers told the story of SSgt. Berthold Allen
Chastain and his only child, Tulie Mae Chastain; a
story of love, patriotism, loss, and of mourning put
on hold for 67 years.
Sometime between 26 October 2010 and the date of the
funeral, I was offered the opportunity to travel to
Hawaii and accompany my grandfather's remains and
the military escort home as a Special Escort. Of
course I accepted the honor and made preparations to
go.
The Journey Home
In mid-January
2011, Tulie Mae Chastain-Swilling and I were notified that SSgt.
Chastain's remains would arrive at the Atlanta International
Airport at 07:15 the morning of 29 January 2011. Since I was
given the honor of being Special Escort to accompany the
military escort from the JPAC facility in Honolulu, Hawaii, I
was to fly from Chattanooga, TN, to Atlanta, GA, on 26 January,
where I would then fly non-stop to the Honolulu International
Airport, then fly back to Atlanta with my grandfather and his
military escort on 28 January, arriving in Atlanta, GA, at 07:15
the morning of 29 January.
On the morning
of 26 January, I boarded the 08:40 flight to Atlanta at the
Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. At take-off time, we were
informed that there would be a 20-minute delay in taking off due
to bad weather and a low ceiling. After 20 minutes we were given
clearance to take off, and we approached the runway. As the
pilot prepared to take off and let off the brake, the right
engine suddenly died. The pilot announced that we had lost the
right engine and that there had been no warning lights and no
other indication of trouble with the engine. The flight was, of
course, cancelled, and I was rescheduled for the next morning,
27 January.
The following
day, I was scheduled to board the same flight on the same
schedule, but when I looked at the new schedule, it was my
understanding that I was slated to board the same plane at the
same time. With less than 24 hours to replace or repair the bad
engine and properly test it, I did not have a good feeling about
the flight and decided not to board. As it turned out, the
flight was delayed again to the point where I would have missed
my connection in Atlanta to Honolulu even if I had taken the
flight. There was no way to get to Honolulu in time to escort my
grandfather home, so the trip and the special escort duty were
cancelled.
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Patriot Guard Riders await
the arrival of the remains
of SSgt. Berthold Allen
Chastain. Photo courtesy
of David Andrews, PGR (Click
photo to view all 68 photos) |
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Although I was unable to escort my
grandfather from JPAC to Atlanta, I did
drive down to Atlanta behind my mother,
Tulie, and the funeral director to
receive his remains and accompany him on
the procession to Cleveland, Tennessee.
We were met at the airport's Air Cargo
terminal by approximately 100 members of
the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle
group that would escort us from Atlanta,
Georgia, to Ralph Buckner Funeral Home
in Cleveland, Tennessee, as their way of
honoring a fallen WWII soldier. I was
privileged to be able to speak
personally with as many of the Patriot
Guard Riders as time permitted; and I am
glad that I did. I found them to be
fiercely patriotic and deeply respectful
of our fallen warriors. Each man and
woman who is a member of the
organization is there out of a deep
feeling of gratitude and sense of duty
to those who gave their lives on the
altar of Freedom. Each individual that
makes up the Patriot Guard Riders is
dedicated to its mission. |
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The U.S. Army Honor Guard who would load
my grandfather's remains into the Hearse
rehearsed its role several times while
awaiting the aircraft that bore his
coffin.
When the coffin
was unloaded, the funeral director and the military escort who
had accompanied SSgt. Chastain's remains from Hawaii, behind
closed doors, respectfully removed the coffin from the shipping
crate, draped the American flag over the coffin, and prepared it
to be received by the Honor Guard.
As the Honor Guard carried the coffin
from the cargo bay door to the Hearse,
the leader of the Patriot Guard Riders
called the riders to attention and to
present arms. Every rider saluted and
held the salute until the coffin was
inside the Hearse and the rear hatch was
closed.
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U.S. Army Honor Guard
salutes after transferring
SSgt. Chastain's remains to
the Hearse for his journey
home. Photo courtesy of
David Andrews, PGR |
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It had been
an emotional time for me from the time
of our notification until the day my
grandfather's remains arrived at the
Atlanta airport. It was even more
intense as I watched my grandfather's
coffin carried to the Hearse and loaded
inside for the trip home and the respect
with which he was treated by everyone
present. It was almost surreal. I had to
remind myself that it was finally really
happening. My grandfather had really
been found and really had come home. The
friendship and strength of the Patriot
Guard Riders helped me to keep my
composure, but there was a flood of
emotion trying its best to overcome me.
I know that my mother felt the same way.
The Patriot Guard Riders surrounded
Tulie, ready to lend any support needed
as her father's coffin came into her
view for the first time. She held up
well.
A
Hero's Welcome
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A Patriot Guard Rider steels
Tulie for the appearance of her
father's flag draped casket.
Photo courtesy of David Andrews,
PGR |
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As we left
the Air Cargo Terminal, the procession of motorcycles, law
enforcement vehicles, and escort cars stretched for half a mile
in front of the Hearse bearing SSgt. Chastain's remains and the
military escort, U.S. Army SSgt. Cherenfant Pierre-Louis. Behind
the Hearse were two more Patriot Guard Riders, followed by my
car; Sgt 1st Class John Lee's vehicle; an escort car; and law
enforcement vehicles that not only cleared our way but rode in
the procession to show their respect for SSgt. Chastain. A
motorcycle officer blocked intersections, on-ramps and exit
ramps as the procession moved forward. Tulie rode with Sgt. 1st
Class John Lee.
Along the route
from Atlanta to Cleveland, people were pulled over, outside
their vehicles, standing at attention saluting or with hands
over hearts, showing their respect for the fallen soldier. To
them it was more than a show of respect for SSgt. Chastain. To
them SSgt. Chastain represented every fallen WWII soldier,
sailor, airman, and Marine who paid for our freedom with his
life. They were honoring the man and those he represented.
Our route
followed Interstate 75 North to the Dalton-Rocky Face Exit,
across the bypass in Dalton, GA, to Cleveland Highway, a highway
that connects Cleveland, TN, and Dalton, GA. From the time we
exited the Interstate, the streets were lined with Whitfield
County, GA, citizens who had taken time from their day to
witness the procession and show their respects. SSgt. Chastain
was a Whitfield County native who had lived there prior to
entering the U.S. Army.
Along the bypass, a Whitfield County Fire Department
truck displayed a large American flag from its
extended ladder. At the Cleveland Highway Station 2,
the fire trucks were neatly parked out front, while
the firemen who manned the station stood at parade
rest as the procession passed. All along Cleveland
Highway, the 10 miles or so from Dalton to the
Tennessee state line, vehicles were pulled to the
sides of the highway and stopped as their drivers
stood outside paying their respects. One woman,
alone, stood at the roadside in front of her home,
hand over heart in respect. Farther along there was
a young man with his two children, a boy and a girl
who looked to be about 5 and 6 years old. He was
saluting as the children proudly held up American
flags. At another location, five or six middle-aged
men stood together, saluting as we passed. Those are
but a few examples of the patriotism and respect
that were demonstrated all along Cleveland Highway.
At roughly the
mid-point between Dalton and the Tennessee state line, another
group of 50 or more Patriot Guard Riders joined the procession,
falling in ahead of the Hearse. At one particular rise along
Cleveland Highway, the highway can be seen for a full mile
before it curves right and disappears behind the trees. As I
topped that rise, I saw that the motorcycles, riding two-by-two,
stretched the full mile and disappearing around the curve. The
procession was more than a mile long. The miles between the
state line and Cleveland were a continuation of the public
display of respect and patriotism that we had witnessed in
Georgia.
When we arrived
at Ralph Buckner's Funeral Home, flags lined the curb and
outlined the parking area, also courtesy of the Patriot Guard
Riders. We were met by Cleveland mayor Tom Rowland and an Honor
Guard from a local Army installation. The Patriot Guard Riders
and all present were called to attention and saluted as the
flag-draped casket was ceremoniously removed from the Hearse and
taken inside.
Several times
during the proceedings, Patriot Guard Riders expressed their
gratitude to the family for being allowed the honor of escorting
SSgt. Chastain home. To his family it was we who were honored by
and grateful for the Patriot Guard Riders' respectful, patriotic
demeanor, as well as their genuine concern for the family. I
cannot adequately express or express often enough how grateful
we were to the Patriot Guard Riders for all that they did to
ensure that SSgt. Chastain received the honor and respect that
he deserved.
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The Funeral
On Wednesday, 02
February 2011, the funeral service for SSgt. Berthold Allen
Chastain was held in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.
The chapel was filled to capacity with family, friends, and
military personnel. Again the Patriot Guard Riders participated.
Also in attendance were a U.S. Army honor guard; the military
escort SSgt. Pierre-Louis; Sgt. 1st Class John Lee; several
World War II Veterans, including one Veteran of the 90th Bomb
Group, 320th Bomb Squadron who had served in the squadron at the
same time as SSgt. Chastain; members of local law enforcement;
Mayor Tom Rowland; and SSgt. Chastain's last surviving brother,
Clifford Chastain, who had spent two years in a Japanese POW
camp during WWII.
During the
service, SSgt. Chastain's granddaughter, Tina Swilling
Falkowski, sang "Where the River Meets the Sea". I gave a brief
talk about how our grandfather had influenced the lives of my
siblings and myself. His grandson, my brother, Stephen Swilling,
sang the Tsalagi (Cherokee) song "Guide Me, Jehovah" in the
Tsalagi language after reciting the English translation of the
lyrics. A family friend, Dale Peter, played a saxophone solo in
our grandfather's honor.
After the
funeral service was concluded, everyone moved outside where a
U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber did a low altitude flyover, dipping
both wings as a salute in honor of SSgt. Chastain's service as
an airman.
Patriotism and Honor
The funeral
procession to McInturff cemetery in Birchwood, approximately 15
miles from the funeral home, was led by the Patriot Guard Riders
and accompanied by local law enforcement.
The procession's
route was lined for miles with citizens paying their respects,
four deep in some areas. At the intersection of Keith Street and
25th Street, two fire engines, ladders extended to form an
archway, displayed a giant American flag over the funeral
procession's path. Firemen standing beside the engines and at
the top of the ladders saluted as we passed. In front of
Cleveland Middle School, the students lined the route. It was an
overwhelming display of gratitude and patriotism that SSgt.
Chastain's family will never forget. (See photos). We are
forever grateful to all who worked to ensure that my
grandfather, SSgt. Berthold Allen Chastain was given a
respectful and patriotic welcome home.
A Hero's Farewell
At the grave
site, SSgt. Chastain was given full military honors with a
21-gun salute. As a matter of course, his daughter, Tulie Mae
Chastain-Swilling, was presented with the flag by Sgt. 1st Class
John Lee.
SSgt. Berthold
Allen Chastain was buried at McInturff cemetery, approximately
one mile from his daughter's home.
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More photos
to come on BAC Gallery page
Photos courtesy of Al
Swilling, Mignonne Swilling, and Dalton
Daily Citizen |
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Heartfelt Thanks, Photos, and Further Reading
The Swilling and
Chastain families' deepest heartfelt thanks go out
to JPAC; Sgt. 1st Class John Lee of the Joint
Mortuary Affairs; Military Escort SSgt. Cherenfant
Pierre-Louis who escorted my grandfather home; Ralph
Buckner's Funeral Home; those who prepared the
grave; all the Veterans' organizations in the
Atlanta, Dalton, and Cleveland areas; and
especially to the Patriot Guard Riders, and the
various other Veterans' organizations for making the
discovery, recovery, return, and proper burial of my
grandfather's remains possible; and for giving
him--and all fallen soldiers--the respect and honor
that they deserve.
Our sincere
thanks also go to the citizens who lined the routes of both the
procession from Atlanta and the procession to the cemetery. We
especially want to thank the teachers, principal, and students
at Cleveland Middle School for honoring SSgt. Chastain and all
fallen warriors in such a moving and beautiful display of
respect and patriotism.
Below are links
to photos, along with links to some of the newspaper articles
and photos that tell the story of Staff Sergeant Berthold Allen
Chastain's long trek home and how he was received.
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