By Rissa Shaw | Posted: Wed 1:12 AM, Jun 20, 2018 | Updated: Wed 11:12 AM, Jun 20, 2018

WACO, Texas (KWTX) The remains of a 21-year-old soldier who was killed in combat in 1945 in Germany will be laid to rest this weekend in West.

(Photo by Sam DeLeon)

Army Staff Sgt. Leo J. Husak, 21, of West, was killed while on patrol on Jan. 30, 1945 in Germany’s Hürtgen Forest during a five-month offensive that was one of the longest battles the U.S. fought in World War II.

Because of the ongoing fighting, Husak’s remains weren’t recovered by other members of his unit, Company A, 1st Battalion, 309th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division.

Remains later recovered from near where he was believed to have died were buried as an unknown in June 1945 in the American War Cemetery and Memorial Netherlands in Margraten, the Netherlands.

In October 2016, however, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency was able to associate the unidentified remains with Husak.

The remains were disinterred and sent to the DPAA lab at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska where scientists used DNA and dental samples to confirm the identity in February.

"We’re so thankful to everybody and the agencies that did this," said Johnny Husak, Leo's 86-year-old brother.

The plane carrying Husak's remains arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Tuesday evening.

Law enforcement officers escorted the remains from the airport to West where a large crowd was waiting outside of Aderhold Funeral Home, lining the streets with American flags handed out by local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

"Coming back to all of this is unbelievable," said Johnny Husak.

The city's Police Chief, Darryl Barton, helped orchestrate the homecoming.

"He's a hometown hero and made the West community proud," said Barton who grew up with some of Leo's siblings. "I'm honored to be part of the process of bringing him home and to show the family the respect they deserve."

Barton said youths in his department's explorer program jumped at the chance to help with Husak's homecoming.

"West is blessed with some good kids, you know, they went through tragedies and traumas," said Barton, referencing the deadly explosion at West Fertilizer Co. in 2013. "So I think at least here in West, we have a good group of young people that understand the importance of remembering those we’ve lost, the recent ones and those from way back.”

Member of the West PD explorer program, high-schooler Megan French, 16, said she was amazed when she heard Husak's story.

"For us to be able to see him finally come home, and to see the family at peace - it means a lot to the community," said French.

Fellow explorer and West high school student Emilie Jenkins, 15, said it was heartwarming to see the family return to West with the soldier.

"You bring somebody home to where they're from…this is amazing," said Jenkins.

Johnny Husak said the outpouring of support has been overwhelming.

"Not just from West, but from McLennan County," he said.

Joining West PD in escorting Husak's remains were deputies with the McLennan County Sheriff's Office and officers with Hewitt Police.

Once they arrived, members of the West VFW carried the casket inside, and State Representative Doc Anderson presented the Husak family with a Texas state flag for the soldier's sacrifice.

Husak will be buried Saturday in West with full military honors.

The funeral service begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the West Brethren Church.

Burial follows at West Brethren Cemetery.

“If any family has missing people from whatever war, don’t give up," said Johnny Husak.

Leo J Husak