06/06/2025
WWII Soldier Identified and Returned to Northwest Arkansas for Burial
Eighty-one years ago today, Private Rodger Dean Andrews of Gravette, Arkansas, was killed in action during World War II. After decades of uncertainty, his remains have been identified and are finally being returned home. Private Andrews will be laid to rest with military honors on Monday, June 9, 2025. Epting Funeral Home will take possession of his body this evening in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office Motor Division will have the honor of es**rting Private Andrews, accompanied by Military Honors and the Patriot Guard. The es**rt will depart Epting Funeral Home (709 N. Walton Blvd, Bentonville, AR) at 1:15 PM, proceeding to Bethel Cemetery near 18317 Bethel Rd, Gravette, AR. A graveside service will begin at 2:00 PM.
Es**rt Route Details:
• South on N. Walton Blvd from Epting Funeral Home
• Right on SW 14th Street (Highway 102)
• Right on Highway 59 through Decatur
• Right on Bethel Road in Gravette
• Left into Bethel Cemetery
Community members are encouraged to line the route and pay their respects to honor the life and service of Private Rodger Dean Andrews, a true American hero.
Obituary : Courtesy of Epting Funeral Home:
Private Rodger Dean Andrews, 19, of Gravette, Arkansas was killed in action on the D-Day Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He was born on December 26, 1925 to Dean Joseph Andrews and Ella Philo Rodgers Andrews.
He registered for military service in 1943 and was a member of the U.S. Army, Company C, 37th Engineer Combat Battalion.
Private Andrews was assigned to serve as an engineer and, during the D-Day Invasion was tasked with clearing German defenses to allow troops to land on Omaha Beach and begin the liberation of Europe.
Private Andrews was among the more than 2,500 American servicemembers killed on that day and his name was inscribed on the Walls of the Missing at the Normandy American Cemetery in France.
On June 5, 2024, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that they had identified Private Andrews’ remains and more than 80 years after his death, Private Andrews’ remains would be returning home to Gravette, where he will be laid to rest alongside his parents.
A graveside service for Private Andrews will be held at 2:00pm Monday, June 9th, 2025 at Bethel Cemetery in Gravette, Arkansas.
