WWII veteran, whose remains were returned after 76 years, laid to rest

NEEDHAM, Mass. — A WWII veteran was laid to rest on Saturday after his remains came home to Massachusetts this month after 76 years.

First Lieutenant Joseph Finneran, a Needham native, received a full military funeral at St. Joseph's Parrish. People lined up to pay their respects.

"No real words," said Finneran's nephew Bill Glennon. "Seeing all the people I don't know come out for Joe."

Shortly after Pearl Harbor, Finneran enlisted at 22 years old. He was shot down and killed over Romania during Operation Tidalwave, a bombing mission in 1943, involving 178 planes. Following the air raid, 59 planes didn't return, including Finneran's.

Seven decades later, and his remains are home.

"It's like the greatest thing I've ever gone through in my life," Glennon said.

It's the ending that Glennon had hoped for, but wasn't sure he'd ever see. He gave a DNA sample to the Defense Department 11 years ago and finally his uncle's remains were identified and matched from a grave in Belgium.

"You know if you publicize it then you never know who is gonna walk in the door. And we got some amazing stories and people still looking for their relative."

For Glennon, it's seeing so many people who lined up and showed up that has made this solemn journey back home so special.

"The best part of America is the people, and something like this you see it."

The family said many people have reached out to them, including someone whose father was on that same mission in 1943.

Cox Media Group