Remains of WWII POW returns to Ulen for burial

FARGO (KFGO) – After eight decades, a local decorated World War II hero finally came home.

The Army returned the remains of Private First Class John Opgrand to Ulen, Minnesota for military burial honors during a ceremony at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Saturday. 

Opgrand was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines and survived the Bataan death march, which involved the forcible relocation of more than 75,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war to various camps in the region. The march was about 65 miles long and resulted in the estimated deaths of between 5,000 to 18,000 prisoners of war along the march..

Unfortunately, Opgrand died in a prison camp in the Philippines. 

He was posthumously awarded several medals including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Story by Madison Quinn / KFGO