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70-Year-Old Remains Of Minn. Sailor Identified

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minnesota sailor lost on the beaches of Normandy is finally coming home.

After more than 70 years, the Defense Department has identified the remains of John E. Anderson.

The Navy machinist from Willmar died during the World War II invasion in 1944. The military says enemy fire or a mine destroyed his tank on Omaha Beach.

Anderson's remains went unidentified and buried in France until last summer. That's when a new investigation led scientists to test his DNA.

Anderson was 24 when he died. He will be buried in Willmar one week from Saturday.

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