The McNellis family contacted FBI Newark, explaining that the pottery had been in their possession since their father's passing in the late 1980s. They expressed a desire to return these items to the Peruvian government to ensure they would not be lost to history.
FBI Newark and the Legal Attaché sub-office in Lima, Peru, collaborated to assist a family from Morris County, New Jersey, in returning antiquities to the Peruvian government. These artifacts were originally gifted to Brigadier General Russell McNellis in recognition of his contributions to Peru during World War II. The repatriation ceremony, held at the Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C. on July 16, was attended by members of the McNellis family, FBI Newark agents, the Assistant Legal Attaché from Lima, and members of the FBI Americas Unit.
The McNellis family contacted FBI Newark, explaining that the pottery had been in their possession since their father's passing in the late 1980s. They expressed a desire to return these items to the Peruvian government to ensure they would not be lost to history. FBI agents in Lima coordinated with Peruvian authorities to facilitate the transfer in Washington.
According to a eulogy delivered at General McNellis's funeral in 1988, he was sent to Peru in 1942 by the U.S. State Department while serving as Chief of the Army Veterinary Corps. His primary mission was to assist with the Remount Service, a program aimed at rebuilding the cavalry following significant losses of horses in wars during the late 1800s.
Additionally, he played a diplomatic role in realigning Peru with the Allies after neighboring Chile had sided with Nazi Germany and Vichy France during World War II. Within two years, General McNellis had procured over 1,500 horses for the Peruvian army, fostering strong relations between the U.S. and Peru. This led to the departure of Vichy French forces from Peru and the invitation for a comprehensive U.S. Military Mission.
During his time in Peru, General McNellis established the country's first military veterinary school, serving as its dean and developing a faculty by sending students for advanced training in the U.S. As a gesture of gratitude for his service, the Peruvian government presented General McNellis with two 'huacos', earthen vessels crafted by Indigenous peoples of Peru and found at archaeological sites such as burial grounds, sanctuaries, temples, and other ancient ruins. These artifacts, dating from 1000 to 1400 AD, are significant for their ceremonial, religious, artistic, and cultural value within the pre-Hispanic Chimu culture, as certified by Peru's Ministry of Culture, Direccion de Recuperaciones.
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