NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners heard an update on the repatriation (return home) of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Willibald “Bill” Charles Bianchi Tuesday.

On Friday, April 24, an ad hoc planning committee of Brown County, City of New Ulm and other officials and family members will greet a commercial airline flight at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to observe the dignified transfer of Bianchi’s casket to a Minnesota Valley Funeral Home hearse.

On Saturday, May 2 a procession of law enforcement and Legion Riders will escort Bianchi to New Ulm for formal funeral and cemetery events. Visitation is 10 to 11:45 a.m. at the New Ulm National Guard Readiness Center, 2100 Palmer Avenue. Graveside services and military honors are set for noon to 12:45 p.m. with active duty soldiers carrying the casket. A reception follows 1-3:30 p.m. at the National Guard Readiness Center.

Brown County Veterans Service Officer Greg Peterson said he has received great support from other county agencies including the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Brown County Emergency management, New Ulm Police Dept.

Peterson said a Brown County Museum second floor exhibit for Bianchi will open Friday, May 1 for Bianchi’s family and Brown County Historical Society members. The exhibit will be open to the public on Saturday, May 2.

“This is really rare. He is the only Brown County native to receive the Medal of Honor. I believe his gravestone will draw people here to visit and pay respect,” Peterson said of Bianchi’s military honors and his life of extraordinary courage, service and quiet humility.

During a fierce battle in 1942, Bianchi volunteered to clear out Japanese machine gun nests. Even after being wounded four times, he kept leading the attack. For his bravery, he received the Medal of Honor.

Bianchi was later captured and forced to be part of the Bataan Death March where he survived for nearly three years as a prisoner of war. He was known for sharing his rations so others could survive.

Bianchi was killed while being transported in an unmarked Japanese cargo ship with hundreds of other prisoners that was bombed.

His remains were buried with other prisoners of war in Taiwan and later at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

Last August, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that Bianchi’s remains were positively identified through advances in forensic science and DNA analysis of his family members.

“I guess we really can say that our nation keeps its promise to find every missing airman, soldier, marine or sailor because Mr. Bianchi was deceased 80 years ago,” said Peterson. “His family went to Washington for an annual POW/MIA ceremony. Fast forward to now, he’s coming home.”

Commissioner Tony Berg said he remembered reading about Bianchi in history books decades ago.

“I never realized somebody local was involved in this. This is one of those tragedies of war involving an enemy ship. He (Bianchi) certainly served his country and deserves all the respect he’s getting. It’s good to see,” said Berg.

Commissioner Dave Borchert said he was impressed with how well Peterson is organizing the event.

“I think it’s important that the nation is keeping its promise,” he said. “My son is a SDSU student. I’ve seen the Bianchi Memorial there. It’s extremely impressive. Thanks for taking time out of your day to share this with us. I feel it’s very important.”

Commissioner Brian Braun called Bianchi “a true American hero.”

“Wounded four times and he kept leading the attack. That’s true bravery,” he said.

Jill Marti, Bianchi’s niece who attended the county commissioners meeting, was thankful too.

“We’ve been supported so highly by Greg (Peterson) and everybody. It’s been amazing to the family. Thank you all. We’re very pleased that Uncle Bill is coming back,” she said.