The Final Homecoming: WWII POW Pvt. Cecil T. Hinson to be Lain to Rest
Remains Identified and Returned Home Decades After WWII
ROCK HILL – The remains of Pvt. Cecil T. Hinson, a World War II prisoner of war from Rock Hill will finally be laid to rest, as announced today. This marks the end of what has been a prolonged journey that has lasted more than half a century.
The remains of the fallen soldier will be interred on July 28 at Laurelwood Cemetery, a decision marking another step towards closure for the family that has been in the wait for decades.
A Story of Bravery: The Legacy of Pvt. Cecil T. Hinson
Private Cecil T. Hinson was a native of Rock Hill, who enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Chemical Warfare Service. His life took a drastic turn when Japanese forces invaded the Philippines in December 1941.
At the time of the invasion, Hinson was among the thousands of U.S. and Filipino servicemen taken as prisoners of war. They were subjected to the notorious 65-mile ‘Bataan Death March’ after the U.S. forces fell to the Japanese in 1942.
Hinson’s life tragically ended on July 28, 1942, while still a prisoner of war. He was merely 20 years old.
The Recovery and Identification of Hinson’s Remains
The identification of Hinson’s remains brings home the reality of the long-lasting effects of war. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) accounted for Hinson on Nov. 15, 2023, after a lengthy recovery and identification process.
Hinson’s remains were exhumed in 2018 from the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. Following exhumation, diligent laboratory analysis was carried out to confirm the identity.
Eternal Rest at Last: Hinson’s Final Resting Place
The decision to bury Hinson’s remains in Laurelwood Cemetery on July 28 will lay the soldier to his final rest, on the very same date he died in 1942. The Laurelwood Cemetery holds a special place in the hearts of Rock Hill residents, who will finally bid their farewell.
The burial ceremony will not just be an act of laying a hero to rest, but also reminiscence of the valorous people who give away their today for our tomorrow. It will be an important occasion for the local community to remember and honor Pvt. Cecil T. Hinson’s service and sacrifice.
War Heroes: Remembered, Not Forgotten
The return and burial of Pvt. Cecil T. Hinson should remind us all of the sacrifices our military men and women make for our freedoms. The lingering impact of war cannot be forgotten, and the heroes of yesterday provide the freedoms of today.
To remember Pvt. Cecil T. Hinson and his sacrifice is to understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by all service members, then and now. As his remains are laid to rest later this month, let it be a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice these service members pay for our nation.
