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The solemn bugle tones of “Taps” and the 21-gun salute from a military honor guard were long overdue when Army Pvt. Hillary Soileau was finally laid to rest in Cedar Hill cemetery in Washington on May 21.
Nearly 80 years overdue.
He was listed as missing after a World War II battle on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific and only identified last December.
He was the son of Odey and Leona Soileau, who were farming near the St. Landry community of Whiteville when he entered the Army in July 1942 and was assigned to the 27th Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
One of the division’s first combat operations was as part of an Allied effort that began in December 1942 to clear the enemy from Guadalcanal.
Hilary could not be found after a battle in a group of hills nicknamed Galloping Horse on January 14, 1943. He was declared missing in action on February 3, and was officially declared killed in action on Dec. 13, 1945. He was 23 years old.
Two unidentified men from the 27th Infantry were found near the Galloping Horse battlefield a month after the fighting and were buried at the Army, Navy, and Marine Cemetery on Guadalcanal. Americans buried there were later exhumed and taken to Hawaii.
One of the two unknown soldiers was identified at that time, but Soileau was not. His remains, identified as Unknown-52, were buried again at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. His name was recorded on a wall of the at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines, along with others missing from World War II.
He remained there for more than three-quarters of a century, until finally, on Dec. 8, 2021, the Defense Department’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency said scientists using DNA, dental records, and other evidence were finally able to positively identify him.
It took a while to make the arrangements and get him from Hawaii to Louisiana, but he was buried for the last time with military honors on Armed Forces Day near the graves of his parents in the historic old cemetery.
His last surviving sibling, Mary Lee Soileau, was presented the flag from his coffin by his great-nephew, Marine Capt. Joseph Soileau, who offered a eulogy for his great-uncle.
The 17-year Marine veteran said one of a soldier’s biggest fears is being killed and not being returned to his family. He said Hilary’s long delayed return to his native St. Landry Parish was a celebration of “all that it took to get him back home.”
Hilary’s journey is also a reminder this Memorial Day weekend of the thoughts of another eulogist who spoke at a remembrance after World War I: “As we in reverence think of our mighty dead, let us not forget that great blessings have a great price.”
Enjoy your barbecue and beer on this holiday that has come to represent the beginning of summer. But also take a moment to reflect on Hilary’s journey and those of men and women who served in his war and in those before and since,
You can contact Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw4321@gmail.com or P.O. Box 1121, Washington LA 70589.

The second annual “Remembering the Fallen” ceremony was by far the largest, according to one of the event’s organizers.
Last year close to 400 people crowded into the original display room of the Louisiana Military Museum for the first-ever Memorial Day Ceremony held at the Chris Crusta Airport.
The museum, however, expanded this year with the addition of the Hall of Honor, which is where the ceremony was held on Monday. The Hall of Honor doubled the museum in size.
Hundreds of people showed up to honor the soldiers who had fallen in combat.
Monday’s Memorial Day commemoration was wonderful,” said Dr. Elista Istre, who helped organize the ceremony. “It was amazing to see hundreds of people come together from all walks of life to support our military community, families, friends, and comrades-in-arms.”
The museum is honored to provide a place to remember the fallen, especially on days like Memorial Day. For the museum to once again have a standing-room-only capacity, even in the new Hall of Honor addition, speaks volumes regarding the respect and appreciation Louisiana, especially Acadiana, has for our veterans, both the living and those who have already passed on. We are so grateful for everyone who came out Monday to show their support.”
The ceremony included the posting and retiring of the colors by the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard.
An MIA/POW table explaining the plight of those missing in action or prisoners of war was presented by American Legion Vermilion Post No. 29. The ceremony included laying a wreath at the replica Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Abbeville Garden Club, and Andrew Ward, founder and president of the Acadiana Veteran Alliance, was the keynote address.
“Since we are 100 percent funded by private donations, the overwhelming generosity of those in attendance will continue to have a lasting impact in this community for years to come,” she added. “We are so grateful for those who come alongside us to support us in achieving our mission of ‘honoring our veterans and remembering their stories.’”

Close to 100 people gathered at the second annual "Remembering the Fallen" ceremony on Memorial Day being held at the Louisiana Military Museum.
The ceremony took place in the new part of museum located at the Chris Crusta Airport.
The day began with the Anything Over Rice Cookoff and then a "Remembering the Fallen" ceremony" took place.
A wreath was placed on the replica of the Top of the Unknown Soldier that is on display in the military museum.
The keynote speaker was Andrew Ward, the president and founder of the Veterans Alliance.
Guests and veterans walked outside in front of the museum to observe the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard give a 21-gun salute.
The one-hour ceremony ended with the Missing Man Aerial Salute flyover.

Phillip Freeman has a vision for Abbeville High School.
Right now, it’s only a vision held by the newly named principal of the school.
“I don’t have a plan that is on paper just yet,” Freeman said.
That will, of course, change during the coming weeks. What will assist that process is input from the school and community stakeholders. Freeman wants that input.
“I have met with more and more people this week,” Freeman said. “Community is very, very important. You also have to be able to communicate your vision. If you can do that, it gets easier.
“It’s all about an open line of communication.”
Vermilion Parish Superintendent Tommy Byler said Freeman brings those qualities to the position.
“Mr. Freeman will be a great asset to the Abbeville school system,” Byler said. “He has a vision and a plan to create community excitement and parental participation in the schools. He also has an academic vision that will create opportunities for all at AHS to have a chance to succeed.”
Freeman will take over for outgoing Principal Brett Darby, who will become the new principal at Westminster Christian Academy in Lafayette. Darby, an Abbeville High alum, said the school has been an essential part of his life.
“Abbeville High School will always be a special place to me,” Darby said. “I am a 1988 graduate, former band director, former assistant principal and principal. Abbeville High School has played a major role in my personal and professional development. I am grateful to have been a part of such a high-quality school and district.
“I am looking forward to seeing AHS move forward with Mr. Freeman and the INCREDIBLE teachers!”
Freeman comes to Abbeville after spending the past two years as an assistant principal at North Vermilion Middle. He has also served in that capacity at Gueydan High and AHS. Freeman has seen what it takes to make a school run in all of those stops.
“Everything is a collaborative effort,” Freeman said. “It is a team thing.”
Freeman reiterated that the “team” is not limited to those inside the walls of AHS. While extremely important, Freeman said it is not even limited to parents.
“There are alumni and people who don’t have kids at Abbeville High,” Freeman said. “There are people who care about the school.
“I would love to have those people involved.”
Parents are important, and Freeman said he would work hard to nurture that partnership.
“I want them to understand that we have the same objective,” Freeman said, “which is the students. We may have different views on how to get there, but we are going to find ways to work together, to reach the same goal.
“Everyone has dreams and ambitions for their kids.”
Freeman certainly has them for his daughter, Whitney, who will be a senior at North Vermilion High School. His focus will be on Abbeville High, but, understandably, his heart will be in NV.
“That was a major hurdle for me even coming back to Abbeville,” Freeman admitted. “It’s going to be a hurdle now to manage to be there for her senior year while still giving my attention and focus to Abbeville High. I want to be successful here, but I want to see her grow and finish out high school. My wife (Laurel), daughter, and I are all on the same page.
“I need people to understand that I am committed to Abbeville.”
Again, Freeman wants to hear from anyone who feels a similar commitment to Abbeville High.
“It doesn’t matter who it is,” Freeman said. “I want to hear from anyone interested in Abbeville High.”