Another local World War II vet's remains coming home

The remains of a Clovis man killed during World War II will soon be returned home, according to a family member.

Sgt. Samuel Prince, born Aug. 29, 1914, died in the Philippines on Sept. 22, 1942, as a prisoner of war, records show.

But while family members have long known he likely died from malaria or another illness in a Japanese POW camp in Cabanatuan, the whereabouts of his remains were not known.

That changed April 25 when researchers identified Prince's remains through DNA testing, according to Valerie McLellan, Prince's great niece, who learned of the discovery late last month.

The news took her by surprise.

"It just came out of the blue," she said. "I'm very impressed and happy that they're still working on it."

McLellan said she understands POWs were often buried in communal graves during World War II.

Growing up, McLellan said she remembers an old newspaper article about her great uncle Samuel hanging on the family refrigerator. While she had never met him, she knew of the sacrifice he had made.

"Nobody really knew him except for my grandpa and my grandma," McLellan said.

McLellan said last week she still doesn't know details about her great uncle's storied history, including how his remains came to be located and when they might be returned to Clovis. She said she's scheduled to meet with military officials later this month and hopes to learn more.

Prince will be the third local World War II veteran returned to his hometown for burial in the past year.

Remains of Pvt. Homer Mitchell and Pvt. Vernon Long were both returned to their hometown of Portales in recent months, also thanks to testing conducted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Prince's name appears on the World War II memorial wall outside the Clovis-Carver Public Library as a local veteran killed in the line of duty.

A Clovis News-Journal newspaper article dated March 28, 1943, reported Sgt. Prince had been taken captive, according to the War Department. He was identified as the son of H.M. Prince of 501 Hinkle. St.

It's not clear when family members first learned he'd died in the prison camp, but records show it was months before his capture had been made public.

The Find a Grave website reports Prince is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

It reports he died on Sept. 22, 1942, along with eight other men. His death was recorded on a condensed milk can label, the record shows.

"Sam had belongings of 1 dog tag and 1 wallet with pictures and cash," the record reads.