Warren County residents and dignitaries gathered Monday to pay final respects to Hodak, a World War II veteran

Hodak was a prisoner of war in World War II whose remains were identified in September 2024. Following the end of World War II, American Graves Registration Service and the US Army Quartermaster Corps searched for and disinterred 65 sets of remains. AGRS identified 25 sets of U.S. remains in 1949 and 1950, leaving 40 unknowns. One of those 40 was identified as a Japanese national, leaving 39 people whose identities remained unknown. Investigations associated Hodak with the Tokyo Prison Fire based on multiple pieces of evidence. At the end of the AGRS identification efforts, the 39 unknown soldiers’ remains were buried in Fort McKinley Cemetery, now Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Republic of the Philippines.

In March and April 2022, all associated unknowns were exhumed. Hodak was identified on Sept. 25, 2024. His remains are the first to be identified of the unknowns interred in Manila. On March 19, 2025, James Bell, mortuary affairs officer – identification specialist, Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division, and Sgt. Katrina Hood, SFC/Operations NCO, held a full briefing of the events that lead to the death and finally the identification of Hodak.

On Friday, May 17, Hodak’s remains were escorted back to Youngsville from Pittsburgh International Airport in a moving motorcade that passed through numerous towns in western Pennsylvania. The procession was led by the Pennsylvania State Police Troop E, with marked patrol units and motorcycles, and flanked by an estimated 50 to 300 Patriot Guard Riders, providing a hero’s welcome for the returning veteran.

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Shown is the hearse in the motorcade on its way to Youngsville, Pa.

Visitation was held Monday at the Youngsville Free Methodist Church with a funeral following led by Pastor Hamrick with the support of Scott Nelson and staff from Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, who have been entrusted with the arrangements.

Members of the Youngsville American Legion Honor Guard Post 658 held a ceremonial tribute following the service, honoring Hodak’s service and sacrifice. The honor guard also served as pallbearers. Interment will take place at Spring Creek Cemetery in Spring Creek, Pa., where the U.S. Military Funeral Detail provided full military honors.

Hodak was born on March 17, 1922, in Cambridge Springs, Pa., to Peter Hodak and Queenie Jewell Hodak. He was one of ten children and proudly served his country during World War II, alongside three of his brothers – Park, Victor, and Arnold – each stationed in different parts of the world. Miraculously, all four brothers returned home safely from the war. Another brother, Donald, later served during the Korean War.

All of Glenn’s siblings have preceded him in death, including Lucille, Anna, Park, Victor, Arnold, Stanley (infant), Everett (infant), Dorothy, and Donald. However, he is survived by two sisters-in-law, Sylvia (Arnold) Hodak and Pamela (Donald) Hodak, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and generations of great-nieces and nephews who cherish his memory.

“Welcome home Uncle Glenn,” said Denny Hodak, during his speech at the memorial service. “No one alive today even knew Glenn. We are honoring a man only known by his family members. We are so very grateful for all of the people who have worked with us to ensure this whole homecoming was made possible. There are too many names, but know that we are eternally grateful to everyone who has been involved in welcoming a true hero home to his final resting place.”

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Shown is Hodak’s casket being taken to the hearse in Pittsburgh, PA, then will be placed in the hearse for the motorcade back to Youngsville, PA.