A local war hero whose remains were recently identified has returned home.

 The remains of Staff Sergeant David Holeman returned to Independence yesterday evening, escorted by the Patriot Guard. The airplane carrying Holeman touched down in Tulsa yesterday afternoon, with veterans and spectators lining Highway 75 as he traveled from the Tulsa International Airport to Webb and Rodrick Chapel in Independence.

 In late 1941, Holeman was a member of the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula April 9, 1942, and Corregidor Island May 6, 1942. According to prison camp and other historical records, Holeman died July 19, 1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 312. His remains were identified by the Department of Defense POW-MIA Accounting Agency in 2022.

 Staff Sergeant David Holeman’s funeral with full military honors will be at 14:00 hours, Friday, June 2nd, at Independence First Church of the Nazarene. His burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, next to his father.