Gov. Andy Beshear orders flags to half-staff in honor of Kentucky World War II soldier

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Andy Beshear is ordering for flags at all state office buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor of a Kentucky soldier who died in World War II.

The governor’s office says the soldier was only recently identified as U.S. Army Pfc. Charles W. Wells of Leitchfield, Kentucky. The tribute will last from sunrise to sunset Thursday.

Wells was a member of Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), according to Beshear. The governor says the soldier’s unit fought in the siege of Myitkyina, Burma, on June 30, 1944, after successfully taking the airfield west of Myitkyina from Japanese control. Following the battle, Wells was reported killed in action.

Wells will be interred Thursday at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff, Kentucky.

Beshear encourages all individuals to to take part in the tribute.