July 12, 1925 ~ January 20, 1945
Corporal Melvin Lloyd Huff 19, of Eldora and formally of Iowa Falls, passed away January 20, 1945 in New Guinea during WWII. His remains were finally discovered and are being repatriated back to Iowa Falls for burial. A graveside service for Melvin Lloyd Huff will be 1:00 pm Saturday, June 28, 2025 with full military honors at Union Cemetery Iowa Falls. The Linn’s Funeral Home is assisting the US Government and the family with the arrangements.
Melvin Leslie Huff was born July 12, 1925 in Iowa Falls the son of Kleber Leslie and Florence Irene (Chase) Huff. He attended elementary and junior high school in Iowa Falls. The family moved to Eldora in 1940 where he graduated high school. He joined the Army Air Corps in September 1943. Corporal Melvin Leslie Huff, who crashed on New Guinea during World War II on a mission on Jan. 20, 1945, has been identified 80 years later. His family has kept his memory alive over the years hoping to find out what happened to him. His mother Florence Huff and sister Edith Huff Walters kept in touch with the Army over the years in hope of a resolution. Finally in 2012, we received a call asking to provide DNA samples as some wreckage had been discovered. In 2016 the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) held a ceremony to posthumously award Melvin his medals for service. Edith was in a care facility and was 94 at the time. This meant a lot to her as she had never forgotten her little brother. Melvin finished his junior year of High School in Eldora, Iowa. He applied to enter the Army Air Corps and he enlisted October 1943 at the age of 18. He went through training for 14 months to be a turret gunner was promoted from Private to Corporal in September 1944 and was transferred to New Guinea Dec, 17, 1944. He was on his sixth mission when his plane did not return to bass. After numerous searches, the wreckage could not be found, The DPAA located the wreckage in 2011 with the help of local New Guinea residents. Melvin and his fellow cremates Second Lieutenant Alfred J. Hamwey and Corporal Carmelo J. Palermo were finally identified and are being brought home after 80 years. Melvin’s family members are relieved this has happened. His immediate family parents Kelber and Florence Huff, and siblings Edith Huff Walters, Leslie Huff and Clifford Huff did not survive to see this day but his many nephews and nieces who never meet Melvin are honoring his return.
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