From Staff Reports

EDNEYVILLE, N.C. — A Henderson County World War II Marine “has finally been laid to rest after more than 80 years of being missing in action,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on March 28. 

Private First Class Luther Leru “Dusty” Rhodes, who was born on March 22, 1924 and grew up in Edneyville, was killed in action on Oct. 7, 1942, at the age of 17 in Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, South Pacific.

As News 13 noted that as it previously had reported, “after passing away, Rhodes’ remains could not be recovered, with records stating that his remains ‘could not be identified at the time of interment and were, of necessity, buried among the unidentified in one of the military cemeteries.’”

The TV station added, “In 2025, Rhodes’ remains were located and identified, and according to Henderson County records, were assigned to the Marine Corps, L Company, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division.”

Rhodes’ casket arrived at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport on March 24. 

Law enforcement escorted him home to Henderson County, N.C.

Rhodes joined the U.S. Marine Corps in November 1941.

As for Rhodes’ enlistment, his brother Marvin Rhodes noted. “...my dad had to sign, to let him sign up in November in ‘41, before Pearl Harbor, to let him get into the Marines.” 

News 13 added. “Since being located and identified, Rhodes’ remains were returned to his hometown of Edneyville, where he was laid to rest on March 28 at the Edneyville Methodist Cemetery.”