Hendersonville Reinters Fallen World War II Soldier
The remains of Charles Ray Smith were returned home to Hendersonville for burial over 80 years after his death in Italy.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Military
Charles Ray Smith, who died in Italy in August 1943 at the age of 20, was reinterred at Shepherd Memorial Park in Hendersonville on October 25, 2026. His remains were identified through DNA testing earlier this year after being returned to the United States in 2022.
Why it matters
The reinterment process reflects the ongoing commitment by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to identify missing service members and fulfill the military promise of leaving no man behind. These efforts provide closure to families while honoring the service of those who died during past conflicts.
Of the 14 service members from Henderson County currently listed as missing in action, five are officially considered recoverable. These figures are part of 172 total war casualties documented locally since 1941.
The players
Charles Ray Smith
A soldier who died in Italy at age 20 and whose remains were recently recovered and returned home.
Luther Rhodes
A service member from Henderson County whose remains were identified and returned to the area earlier in 2026.
Veterans of Foreign Wars
An organization that works to support veterans and identifies the remains of missing service members through genealogical and DNA research.
The details
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars facilitated the return by utilizing genealogical research and DNA samples collected from next-of-kin. This follows the March 2026 return of another local service member, Luther Rhodes, to Henderson County.
Timeline
Charles Ray Smith died in Italy in August 1943.
The remains were returned to the United States in 2022.
Luther Rhodes was returned to Henderson County in March 2026.
Charles Ray Smith was identified by DNA testing in May 2026.
Reinterment occurred at Shepherd Memorial Park on October 25, 2026.
Political Context
The recovery and reinterment of fallen soldiers is a fundamental extension of the military ethos of leaving no man behind. While these efforts are widely supported, some critics occasionally raise concerns regarding the immense financial and logistical costs required to recover remains decades later.
The identification of remains brings long-awaited closure to local families and the broader Hendersonville community. Residents may see continued efforts by the VFW as they expand their genealogical and recovery operations into neighboring counties.
The takeaway
The successful identification and burial of Charles Ray Smith highlights the persistence of recovery efforts for historical military casualties. Families of missing service members are encouraged to work with veterans organizations to provide DNA samples that may assist in future identification cases.
Further reading
For more information on regional military history and commemorations, visit the Hendersonville Military section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Blueridgenow.
