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Former Pfc. Carroll E. Lonas, was laid to rest at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D., May 9, 2019. Lonas, 94, had served as a rifleman with the U.S. Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Division during World War II. Lonas was captured by the Germans and detained for fourteen months, where, at one point, he was put in front of a firing line to be executed. He was spared when an allied forces firing plane flew by. Ultimately, he escaped to friendly territory after hiking approximately 1,100 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth Airmen stand in formation to pay their respects to former Pfc. Carroll E. Lonas before he was laid to rest at the Black Hill National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D., May 9, 2019. Lonas was captured by the Germans during World War II. He was held as a prisoner of war for 14 months prior to his escape. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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South Dakota Army National Guardsmen carefully fold a burial flag at the funeral of former Pfc. Carroll E. Lonas, at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D., May 9, 2019. Lonas spent 14 months as a German prisoner of war. He was almost executed on a firing line but was saved when an allied forces fighter plane flew by. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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A South Dakota Army National Guardsman hands a folded burial flag over to a member of the Sturgis Honor Guard before it is presented to the family of former Pfc. Carroll E. Lonas at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D., May 9, 2019. Lonas was captured by the Germans during World War II and was detained for 14 months prior to his escape. He hiked roughly 1,100 miles until he reached friendly territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Family members attend a funeral service held in honor of former Pfc. Carroll E. Lonas before he is laid to rest at the Black Hills National cemetery in Sturgis, S.D., May 9, 2019. Lonas, 94, had served as rifleman with the U.S. Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Division during World War II. Lonas was detained by the Germans for 14 months until he successfully escaped to friendly territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Family members attend a funeral service held in honor of former Pfc. Carroll E. Lonas before he is laid to rest at the Black Hills National cemetery in Sturgis, S.D., May 9, 2019. Lonas, 94, had served as rifleman with the U.S. Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Division during World War II. Lonas was detained by the Germans for 14 months until he successfully escaped to friendly territory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett)

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Ellsworth Airmen pay respects to World War II veteran

Published May 15, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Christina Bennett
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --

Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base attend the funeral of former Pfc. Carroll E. Lonas, 94, who served as a rifleman with the U.S. Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Division during World War II. Lonas was detained by the Germans for 14 months prior to his escape. He hiked roughly 1,100 miles to friendly territory. Lonas was laid to rest at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D. on May 9.

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