Once missing, WWII Airman’s remains will be interned Tuesday

Published 8:24 pm Monday, July 9, 2018

MOULTRIE – John Canty was just a young factory worker when he left his home in Connecticut to join the war.

Canty was born July 24, 1921, in Winsted, Conn., and served as a member of the U.S Army Air Force as a Staff Sgt. He died while serving his country when his plane was shot down over France during World War II in the middle of a nighttime bombing mission on June 22, 1944.

For decades, his family and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency worked hard to find his remains. Finally, in December 2017 his remains were identified in an area near the crash site after months of digging and DNA testing.

The discovery of Canty’s remains means that five of the eight members’ remains from the B-26 plane crash have been found.

Now that his remains are found, his family and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency are making sure he gets a proper burial.

Wayne Brazeau Sr., the nephew of Canty, has been a resident of the Moultrie-Colquitt County since the 1960s. He served as a Marine in Albany. As the oldest living relative of Canty, he made the decision that his uncle will be put to rest at the Arlington National Cemetery near Washington D.C.

Brazeau Sr. always knew of his uncle because his family always talked about him growing up. He is thankful to be a part of him being put to rest.

“ I was 5 years old when he was shot down,” said Brazeau Sr. “I  remember what was going on, but I knew my uncle was missing from the war. As I got older, I found out more about him”

The funeral will be on today at the Arlington National Cemetery, and the government is covering all charges for the funeral and the transportation for Brazeau Sr and his family. Brazeau Sr. will be presented with his uncle’s medals and the flag.

“The whole family always talked about him,” said Brazeau Sr.  “Growing up I heard so much about my uncle John. “That’s why I know so much about him. I think it’s great that he is getting so much attention.”