Area Resident Killed in Action in World War II Finally Coming Home

(ARMY PRIVATE HAROLD POULTER)

Almost 80 years after his death in combat in World War II, an area soldier will be coming home.

The remains of Army Private Harold Oscar Poulter have been identified. Private Poulter was killed by small arms fire near Biesdorf, Germany on February 8, 1945. A soldier from his unit witnessed his death. The report from the military indicates that "despite subsequent recovery efforts, his remains were not accounted for during or after the war."

In 1951, remains were recovered, but no identification tags or any other material evidence to establish identity. The remains were taken to a central processing point in Belgium and after identification was still not successful, were interred at what is now North Africa American Cemetery.

In 2022, the remains were exhumed and testing now possible concluded that an association between the remains and Private Poulter is "historically supportable."

Harold Poulter was born on October 17, 1921 in Charleston, the son of Rowe and Bessie Poulter. He had four sisters and two brothers, all of whom are deceased. However, he has surviving nieces...Lynn Graves, Jewel Byrum and Lana Lee...and nephews...Olin Harley "Bub" Cline, Kenny Poulter and Bud Decker. Some of those are residents of Cumberland County.

Private Poulter entered the military in Cincinnati on June 6, 1942, and was part of the 318th Infantry Regiment of the 80th Infantry Division.

Efforts are already underway to give Private Poulter a proper Welcome Home. A public graveside service with full military rites will take place at 2pm on Tuesday, June 4, in the Janesville Cemetery. The Janesville community is located on the Cumberland-Coles county line.

Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup is assisting with the services. Barkley Funeral Chapel owner Scott Stults said Thursday he has already been in contact with US Army representatives as to the Welcome Home, and we will be sharing more information when the details are finalized.