Remains Of Korean War Soldier To Be Laid To Rest In Waltham
WALTHAM (CBS) -- A Korean War soldier who had been missing for decades will finally be laid to rest in his hometown.
Robert Campbell Dakin was a 22-year-old Corporal in the US Army serving in Korea when he went missing on December 12, 1950. Three years later, Robert was promoted to Sergeant and officially listed as killed in action.
Robert, the only son of Waltham residents Thorn and Louise Dakin, was a stellar athlete who graduated from Waltham High School. After graduation he enlisted as an infantryman.
He was likely killed during an attack in the Chosin Reservoir area of North Korea, according to his obituary.
Robert's mother Louise never gave up hope that her only son of five children "Bobby" was alive.
"I don't think I can ever give up hoping for him," Louise, now deceased, told the Waltham News Tribune in 1953.
"I just feel it. I've written to the boys who've come back from prison camps. I saw a picture once and thought sure it was Bob. But you can't be sure," she said.
Robert was assigned to the Army's Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division.
Robert's remains were recently identified by members of the military at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and will be sent to Waltham for funeral services before the end of the year.