Birmingham WWII veteran identified, laid to rest after 82 years thanks to DNA technology

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - For 82 years, the family of a Birmingham World War II veteran waited for answers. Now, thanks to new DNA technology, they finally have him home.

Staff Sgt. Nick Gavalas was laid to rest Friday at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, more than eight decades after he was considered missing in action.

Gavalas grew up in Birmingham, was active in his church, and graduated from Ramsay High School in 1940 before entering World War II.

He died in 1944 at just 20 years old - one of six men killed when their bomber plane was attacked over Italy. His family said the wreckage was later discovered in a lagoon on an island.

His identity remained unknown until a DNA sample changed everything.

“We are thrilled that we have him home,” said Georgette Kennedy, Gavalas’ niece. “My mother was big into trying to get him home. She passed eight years ago, so she didn’t see it, but she furnished her DNA which helped us to identify him.”

A lab in Nebraska used that DNA sample to finally identify Gavalas’ remains. The family received the call confirming his identity in June.

Planes soared above the cemetery Friday in his honor as family members — nieces ranging in age from 57 to 92 — gathered to finally say goodbye.

Kennedy said her family kept Gavalas’ memory alive for generations, and she hopes his story gives other families still searching for answers a reason to keep going.

“Eighty-two years and we finally got him home,” Kennedy said. “So there’s always hope out there. Technology is changing constantly. The littlest piece of DNA, they can almost figure it out. So don’t give up hope and we’ll get them all home.”

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