Three sets of Korean War MIA remains return
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Three sets of remains thought to be those of U.S. servicemen killed during the Korean War came home yesterday amid crisp salutes and solemn reflection.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
They arrived at Hickam Air Force Base aboard a U.S. transport plane and were met by 100 people, most uniformed military personnel.
Korean War veterans salute as one of three sets of remains, believed to be those of U.S. soldiers, arrived at Hickam Air Force Base.
A joint U.S.-North Korean team operating in Unsan and Kujang counties and along the Chong Chon River, about 60 miles north of Pyongyang, recovered the remains during an operation that began earlier this month.
The area was the site of battles between Communist forces and the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division and 2nd and 25th Infantry Divisions in November 1950. The 28-person U.S. teams were drawn mostly from specialists with the Army's Central Identification Laboratory Hawai'i.
As the remains were carried off the cargo jet and passed an all-service honor guard, a breeze tugged at flags, wrapping former prisoner of war Nick Nishimoto in his black-and-white POW/MIA remembrance flag. He comes to every repatriation. He's done it for 20 years.
"Because it's family," he said, "Second World War, Korean War, Vietnam War. It's family. I put my feeling into it."
Johnie Webb Jr., deputy director of the identification lab, said the remains were found in an area where conditions were difficult. He said it was possible one or more sets of remains could have been from the 25th Infantry Division, whose headquarters are at Schofield Barracks.
