Round Mountain man died in World War II, remains missing until last year

Preparations are underway to welcome home the remains of a Round Mountain man who died while fighting in World War II.

Plans are being made to honor the late Dayton Polvado in April. His remains will be brought to Blanco County next month and will be interred at Round Mountain Cemetery. He died during fighting in Europe during World War II and his remains were not found until recently. In October 2025, the Army identified his remains by the use of DNA.

Organizers will hold a first meeting to plan Polvado’s homecoming at 4 p.m. on March 9 in the back room of Pecan Street Brewing in Johnson City.

“Everyone is welcome to join an informational and planning meeting for the two-stage tribute event in April,” said Sherry Jenkins, the organizer of the event, who is also a regent with the Hill Country chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. “We are seeking volunteers to help ensure Blanco County honors this long-awaited return for his remains.”

Polvado’s remains will be flown to San Antonio on Friday, April 10. There will be planeside military honors and his remains will be transferred to Crofts-Crow Funeral Home by the Patriot Guard of San Antonio.

On Saturday, April 18, the procession with Polvado’s remains will leave Crofts-Crow Funeral Home at 10 a.m. with a procession from the Patriot Guard of San Antonio. At 10:15 a.m., the procession will pause for a moment of silence and reflection at the Blanco County Veterans Memorial at 300 N. Nugent Street in Johnson City.

There will be a graveside memorial service for Polvado at 11 a.m. at Round Mountain Cemetery. The service will include full military honors. After the graveside service, a reception will be held at Liberty Lighthouse Fellowship at 706 West Main/Old River Crossing in Johnson City.

“Listed as Missing in Action for 81 years, he is finally returning home to be laid to rest with full military honors,” Jenkins said. “The family and community warmly invite all that wish to pay their respects to join them in honoring and celebrating Dayton’s long-awaited homecoming.”

About Polvado

Polvado entered the Army on March 25, 1942, at Fort Sam Houston. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant and was a member of Company K of the 359th Infantry Regiment in the 90th Infantry Division.

The Round Mountain man was named missing after the Battle of Hurtgen Forest in December 1944. The Army was not able to identify Polvado’s remains from 194650 and his name was listed on the Wall of the Missing at the Lorraine American Cemetery in France.

According to a previous story, Lloyd Smith remembers that the photo that included his uncle was taken in the spring of 1944 in front of his grandparents’ home in Round Mountain. He was not able to recall the reason for Polvado’s visit.

Smith said family members, which included his mother and Dayton Polvado’s sister, Geraldine Polvado Smith, were informed I 1945 that Polvado was classified as missing in action. Family members searched for information regarding Polvado’s death for years, but were not able to find out additional information.

Though Polvado has no living immediate family members, he has nieces and nephews who are still living. The Army identified his remains in October 2025 by using DNA from Polvado’s relatives, Lloyd Smith and Kimberly Cecotti. His remains were buried in an unmarked grave at Lorraine American Cemetery.