Remains of WWII Prisoner of War from Rock Hill Soon to Find Rest
The remains of a brave soldier, Private Cecil T. Hinson, who died tragically during World War II, will finally be laid to rest in his hometown in Rock Hill later this month. Hinson was killed during his captivity under Japanese forces, and his remains will now find a home on his native soil.
Coming Home
Private Hinson’s remains will be buried on July 28 at Laurelwood Cemetery. The young soldier was no more than 20 when he fell prey to the horrific conditions of the war. A native of Rock Hill, Hinson was a member of the Chemical Warfare Service during World War II. His demise came when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December 1941.
He was among the thousands of U.S. and Filipino service members who were captured and interned at POW camps. These brave souls were subjected to the infamous Bataan Death March following the fall of U.S. forces to the Japanese. Marking a dark day in history, Hinson passed away as a prisoner of war on July 28, 1942.
Identification and Restitution
After multiple decades, the brave soldier was finally accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on November 15, 2023. His remains were exhumed in 2018 from the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. Hinson’s identification was made possible through a rigorous laboratory analysis and identification process, finally putting to rest decades of uncertainty.
While the news brings a measure of closure for Hinson’s family, it also serves as a powerful reminder of the great sacrifices made by the soldiers like Hinson who gave their lives for the freedom of our nation.
Our Collective Duty
The returning of Private Hinson’s remains is not just about closure for his family; it’s a tribute to his sacrifice, his service, and his heroism. It’s a chance for Rock Hill and all of us as a nation to honor our heroes and renew our commitment to never forget their sacrifices.
This is a poignant moment for the community of Rock Hill, but also a moment of hope. As Private Hinson comes home, there could be no greater tribute than for his community to remember and honor his sacrifice, as he gets a well-deserved resting place in the town where he was born and raised.
As we anticipate the burial of Hinson’s remains at Laurelwood Cemetery later this month, we are reminded of the extraordinary sacrifice he and many others made. We take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the ultimate price paid by those who championed our flag, our freedoms, and our nation’s values.
