SOLDIER'S BODY ARRIVES IN U.S.
Family Informed Body Of Pfc
Robert D. Lowrie Is Now
In Philadelphia

   The body of Pfc Robert Duane Lowrie, who was killed in action in Belgium in the now famous Battle of the Bulge on Jan 7, 1945, has arrived in Philadelphia from Europe and will be brought to Franklin [PA] for interment, according to a telegram received Friday afternoon by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adelmer B. Lowrie 46 McKinley Street, Oak Hill.
   The funeral director, L. L. Burger, will be informed by the Quartermaster Depot, American Graves Registration Division, Philadelphia, when the body will be shipped from Philadelphia and when it can be expected to arrive in Franklin.
   Mr. Burger said that arrangements were being made to accord the young soldier full military honors in the funeral service to be held in the Burger Funeral Home.  The American Legion and veterans of Foreign Wars will have charge of the military rites during the service.
   Pfc Lowrie entered service on May 31, 1943, a week after his graduation from Franklin High School.  He received his basic training at Camp Campbell, KY and was sent overseas in June, 1944
   He was a paratrooper with Company C, 82nd Airborne Division.
   Pfc. Lowrie was born in Franklin on Aug 31, 1924 and was 20 years of age when he was killed.  A son of Adelmer and Bessie Green Lowrie, the young soldier is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Wesley N. Lowrie, Adelmer Jr, Mrs. David Long and Mrs. W.C. Cunningham, Franklin; Harold E., Joseph A., and Grace E. Lowrie, at home; and Paul A. Lowrie, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, NC

[The News-Herald, (Franklin, PA), Nov 22, 1947, Pg 2] [PDF]

   The county flag at the head of the Twelfth Street island was being flown at half mast today in tribute to Pfc Robert D. Lowrie, who was killed in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.  The body of the Oak Hill soldier ar4rived in Franklin this afternoon.  Funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon in the Burger Funeral Home .  The flag will remain at half mast until after the funeral.

[The News-Herald, (Franklin, PA), Dec 9, 1947, Pg 2] [PDF]

(courtesy of Doris Hartman)

Robert enlisted at Erie, PA on 31 May 1943,  a week after his graduation from Franklin High School, Franklin (Venango county), PA..

He received his basic training at Camp Campbell, KY and went to jump school at Ft Benning before he was sent overseas in June, 1944.

On 23 July 1944 Pfc Lowrie was transferred from Hq 82d Airborne Division, Leicester, England to Company C, 508th PIR.

He entered the Battle of The Bulge when the regiment was called up on 18 December 1944 and he was killed in action on 7 January 1945.

MILITARY RITES
   TO BE ACCORDED
   PFC ROBERT D. LOWRIE

   Military Rites will be accorded Pfc Robert D. Lowrie

Military rites will be accorded Pfc Robert D. Lowrie, son of Adelmer and Bessie Lowrie, 46 McKinley street, Oak Hill, who was killed in action in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
   The body arrived in Franklin this afternoon and [was] removed to the Burger Funeral Home where the family will receive friends ad where the funeral services will  be held Thursday.
   The body of Pfc Lowrie is the first of Franklin district war dead to be sent home for burial.
   Capt. Robert Hopkins, commander of the Franklin Salvation army, will officiate at the services Thursday.  Capt. Hopkins served as a chaplain overseas during the war.
    Military honors will be accorded by Franklin American Legion and Jesse Greer Post Veterans of foreign wars members.  Burial will be in Franklin Cemetery.
   The body was accompanied to Franklin by a military escort from the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

[The News-Herald, (Franklin, PA), Dec 9, 1947, Pg 2] [PDF]