Sioux City – After more than eight decades, the remains of a World War II veteran from northwest Iowa have finally been identified and will receive a proper military burial. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirmed that the unknown soldier recovered after the war is Robert Glenn Shove, a U.S. Navy sailor who enlisted in Des Moines in 1940 and served aboard the USS Canopus.
Shove was captured during the early Pacific campaign and spent his final months in a Japanese prison camp on the Philippines. He died there in October 1943. His remains were recovered after the war but, lacking modern forensic tools, could not be identified at the time.
Identification and return home
Using DNA analysis and historical records, the agency matched the remains to Shove’s family, confirming his identity. The discovery brings closure to his surviving relatives and to the broader community that honors Iowa’s military heritage.
Shove was born and raised in Cherokee, Iowa. He answered the call to serve his country at the height of the global conflict, embodying the patriotic spirit that many Iowans hold dear. His story reflects the sacrifices made by countless Iowans who fought overseas while families back home prayed for their safe return.
Funeral arrangements
The family has arranged for a military funeral at Memorial Park Cemetery off Morningside Avenue in Sioux City. The interment is scheduled for Nov. 7, and the ceremony will include full honors, a flag‑folding, and a tribute from local veterans’ groups. Community members are invited to pay their respects and celebrate Shove’s service.
Local veterans’ organizations, including the Sioux City Veterans of Foreign Wars post, have expressed gratitude to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency for its perseverance in bringing home those who were lost. “Every soldier deserves a proper burial and a chance for families to find peace,” said a spokesperson for the VFW.
The identification underscores the ongoing national effort to account for missing service members from past wars. While the war ended more than 80 years ago, the commitment to honor every fallen hero remains a priority for the United States and for Iowans who cherish the values of faith, family, and liberty.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
