Albuquerque residents are preparing to lay to rest the remains of U.S. Army Private Robert Dubois, a World War II veteran whose body was identified after an 84‑year search. Dubois, who endured the brutal Bataan Death March and later died in the Cabanatuan prison camp, was finally matched to a DNA sample provided by his niece, Patsy Gutierrez.

DNA testing brings closure after decades

Ten years ago, the U.S. Army reached out to Gutierrez, asking her to submit a DNA sample to help identify the unknown soldier recovered from the Pacific theater. Three months ago, officials confirmed a match, allowing the remains to be returned to Albuquerque for a proper burial.

Family reflects on the long‑awaited reunion

“Because I wish that his siblings and his parents could be here to see this,” Gutierrez said, expressing the bittersweet emotions of a family that never saw their loved one return home. Dubois’s parents and eight siblings passed away without ever seeing his remains.

“When I think about what has happened to him, could I have survived that? I doubt it,” Gutierrez added, reflecting on the harrowing conditions Dubois faced during the war.

Honoring a hero

The Army posthumously awarded Dubois the Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart for his sacrifice. A funeral service will be held this weekend at Mount Calvary Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest beside his mother and father.

“He’s home at last, and that’s what makes me happy, that I’m still alive to see it,” Gutierrez said, grateful for the chance to give her uncle the dignified farewell he deserves.

Historical context

Dubois enlisted in the Army and was deployed to the Philippines. After the fall of the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942, he was captured and forced to march more than 60 miles under brutal conditions. He later endured imprisonment at the infamous Cabanatuan camp, where he died on July 4, 1942, at the age of 24 from malnutrition.

After the war, his family received a letter from the Army confirming his death, but his remains were not identified until recent advances in DNA technology allowed the long‑standing mystery to be solved.

Community response

The story has resonated with many Albuquerque residents, reminding the community of the sacrifices made by local servicemen and women. Local veterans groups have expressed their support for the ceremony and highlighted the importance of honoring those who gave their lives for freedom.

As the city prepares for the burial, officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs and local military historians plan to attend, ensuring that Dubois’s story is remembered for generations to come.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.