WWII soldier finally buried at DFW National Cemetery

A soldier killed in World War II was finally laid to rest back home in Texas.

Army Private Kenneth Farris was buried Monday with full military honors at DFW National Cemetery in West Oak Cliff.

Farris was just 19 years old when he was killed in combat in Germany during WWII. He was fatally wounded by artillery fire in November of 1944. His remains had been in Germany since then and was listed for all that time as missing in action.

In April, Farris’ remains were positively identified through DNA and dental analysis. He was finally brought home to Texas on Friday. His casket was placed in a hearse at DFW Airport and then taken to the cemetery in far northeast Dallas.

Farris’ siblings shared fond memories of a brother they haven't seen in more than 70 years.  

"It's a celebration of life. His life.  We're thrilled that he's home,” said Judith Bingham, Farris’ sister. “The hardest part was not being able to find him."

Private Farris grew up in the small town of Dodson, Texas, in the Panhandle and was in Germany for just two months before he was killed.

Farris’ sister was 6 years old at the time. She said she started writing his story but could never write the ending because she didn’t know when he was coming home. She just knew that the day would eventually come.

Dallas police and the North Texas Patriot Guard escorted Ferris and his family members for his burial. The public was invited.

There are more than 10,000 Americans buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. About 400 of them are Texans. About 1,700 of them are listed as missing.