Body of World War II soldier coming home to Mississippi

The body of Pfc. Harvey Nichols is coming home to Mississippi today to be laid to rest after 77 years.

Nichols, who was born in Braxton, Miss., in 1915, joined the U.S. Army in 1940 to fight in World War II. The following year, he was in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded. He survived the infamous Bataan Death March only to die of malaria and starvation in a prison camp on Nov. 19, 1942.

DNA testing identified Nichols’ remains.

His body is being flown into Medgar Evers Airport in Jackson, and from there, returned to his family in Mendenhall.

The family has extended an open invitation to attend Nichol’s services. Visitation is Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of Mendenall. His funeral is Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church in Braxton.