WWII Repatriation Private First Class Charles R. Powers Procession to Riverside National Cemetery

WWII Repatriation – United States Army, U.S. Army Air Forces Pvt.1st Class Charles R. Powers, of Riverside, California will be be laid to rest 82 years to the day he was killed defending our nation.

We reach out to the community through media and social media to ask for your support lining the route with flags to honor this hero as he makes his way to Riverside National Cemetery to be laid to rest. The estimated time of arrival to the cemetery is approximately 12:40 pm.

In late 1941, Powers was a member of 28th Materiel Squadron, 20th Air Base Group, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippine Islands in December. Intense fighting continued until the surrender of the Bataan peninsula on April 9, 1942, and of Corregidor Island on May 6, 1942.

Powers was among those reported captured when U.S. forces in Bataan surrendered to the Japanese. They were subjected to the 65-mile Bataan Death March and then held at the Cabanatuan POW camp. More than 2,500 POWs perished in this camp during the war. According to prison camp and other historical records, Powers died July 18,1942, and was buried along with other deceased prisoners in the local Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery in Common Grave 312.

Although interred as an Unknown in MACM, Powers’ grave was meticulously cared for over the past 70 years by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), along with others still missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Route to come out along:
Evans Brown Mortuary- Departure 12:15pm

• North on Encanto Drive
• Left on Ethanac Rd
• 215 North
• Exit Van Buren Blvd
• Left on Van Buren
• Left on Harmon

Line Van Buren Blvd. from the 215 FWY to the entrance of Riverside National Cemetery as his procession passes through at approximately 12:40 pm. Gather by noon, be in place by 12:15 pm, and remember to stay safe, obey traffic laws, and remove any head coverings as the procession goes by.

Chapel services are to remain private for the family. Media and public participation may be at Riverside National Cemetery and along route only, per the family’s request.

Press release provided by: Honoring Our Fallen, Inc.