Lost Soldier's Remains Return Home 62 Years After He Was Reported Missing In Action In North Korea
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An American soldier arrived home Wednesday, more than 60 years after he disappeared in North Korea.
Police, fire officials, the USO Greater Los Angeles and family greeted the remains of Private First Class Roosevelt "Jack" Clark around 5:40 a.m. at Los Angeles International Airport.
A full ceremony of Army Honor Guard was held and law enforcement rendered honors with LAFD fire trucks creating an arch of water that the Delta airplane carrying Clark's remains passed through.
Clark was reported missing in action on Nov. 28, 1950, while fighting with the 35th regiment in North Korea. The 20-year-old Bakersfield-area resident was never found and few details about his death were available.
"We just never knew. We just assumed he got killed or you just don't know. Wild things just start coming to your thoughts sometimes but we just never did know," Clark's cousin, Rennie Hunter, said.
His remains were recently located overseas and positively identified through DNA.
"There were three of us that basically grew up together and he was the missing link for us. There has always been for 62 yrs and it was him and with his remains coming back home it's just filling in now," she said.
Clark will be transported by hearse and escorted by patriot guard riders to Hillcrest Mortuary in Kern County.
Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at People's Missionary Baptist Church in Bakersfield. Clark will then be laid to rest at Hillcrest Cemetery with full military honors.
The public is invited.
