Freedom Corner in Capaha Park honors those Cape Girardeau County heroes who died in service to this country. But I recently learned that at least one native Girardean is not listed on the memorial: Liston Rhodes Comer.

Comer was born here on March 18, 1916, the son of Liston E. and Florence E. Rhodes Comer. His father was fairly prominent in business circles, having been associated with Leming Lumber Co. He also served at least one term as the president of the Cape Girardeau Commercial Club, now the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

As the storm clouds of World War II gathered, young Comer registered for the draft on Oct. 16, 1940, along with the nation's other young men. But he was living in Los Angeles, California, at the time, and so his official enlistment was from that city, not Cape Girardeau. His registration card, found online on Fold3, describes the 24-year-old as white, 6 feet tall, weighing 180 pounds, with gray eyes, brown hair and a light complexion.

I have located little else about his short military career, other than a notice of his death.

The young Navy lieutenant junior grade died on Dec. 5, 1942, and the Southeast Missourian carried a moving letter describing his burial on an unnamed mountaintop in the Pacific Theater.

Published April 8, 1943:

Letter tells of last rites atop mountain for former Cape boy

Details of the finding of the body of Lieut. Liston Comer Jr., who earlier had been reported missing in action, on a high mountain peak, and of the funeral rites there, are contained in letters from officers and a priest, to relatives. The young man had been serving with an air bombing squadron of the Pacific Fleet, but, for military reason, it is not established where he was killed.
The letters were received by Mrs. Lucille Hely, mother of Lieut. Comer. She resides at 107835 Ohio Ave., West Los Angeles, California, and formerly resided here. The letters were from Lieut. Commander D.W. Shumway and the Rev. O.B. Cook.
Also a copy of a short letter written by Lieut. Comer, who was in the Navy two years, was preserved and copies of it were received here.

Saw Wreckage from Air.

A letter from the Rev. Cook to Mrs. Hely, giving some of the details, said in part:
“I have purposely delayed this letter to allow the required time for Washington to notify you about finding Liston, his rear seat rider and plane.
“We all hoped against hope and it took poor Isaman, Liston’s closest friend, to spot the wreckage from the air and lead the party to the scene... (others) will write you and you will know how they enjoyed Liston’s companionship, respected his flying ability, and honor his memory...
“The wreckage was practically inaccessible in a high mountain top and after this first party returned, no one was allowed to make the second trip without a physical examination. Because of the circumstances the authorities could do nothing else than hold the burial at the place of wreckage.

A Solemn Service.

“Five of us (Lieut. Commander Shumway, Dr. Rice, Lieut. Cobb, photographer Jones and myself) left early Saturday morning, Feb. 27. We packed lightly, carrying our water and a few sandwiches and the two grave markers, but it still took us over six hours to reach the spot. Liston’s squadron friends flew overhead, directing us and also dropped the necessary equipment. It was a long, painful trek, but it was a work of devotion and all were willing to have participated. Some who started were not able to reach the spot which indicates the difficulties entailed...
“We prepared the graves, plotted the location, set up the makers and held the services. It was the most solemn that I have ever conducted.
“Under the shadow of the wings of his plane and under the protection of the Good Lord, we said a sad farewell to your son, and our shipmate.
“As a last gesture we placed a few orchid plants on the grave — as we passed through the tropical jungle we picked these for the occasion...
“The grave is permanently marked with a steel engraved cross, and overlooks a beautiful valley which extends past an air field to the water’s edge. The pictures which should tell a complete story did not turn out very well...”
The Rev. Cook wrote that a crucifix was placed on the grave, then it was decided to remove it and it was sent to Mrs. Hely.

According to records found on Ancestry and the Arlington National Cemetery websites, Comer's remains were retrieved from their mountaintop burial place and re-interred at Arlington on Nov. 13, 1947.