Army Corporal Killed In Korean War Is Buried At Home After He Was Missing For 70 Years

A soldier from Chicago who was missing in action for nearly 72 years after he was killed in the Korean War is finally coming home and being buried in Ogden, Utah next to his sister.

Army Corporal David B. Milano’s remains were flown to Salt Lake City International Airport, where the Utah National Guard and family members were waiting.

“It was an honor to watch it. I was choked up, you know, very choked up,” said David Jordan, the Milano’s nephew told ABC 7 Chicago. “We all had tears in our eyes.”

Milano grew up in Chicago and attended Catholic school until he joined the Army. He was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and was reported missing in action on December 2, 1950.

Nearly 72 years later, he is finally back home.

Although he was missing for so long, his family never lost hope. They always kept him alive with pictures and never stopped telling stories about him.

Milano’s remains were part of 55 boxes containing the remains of American service members who were killed during the Korean War that were turned over to the United States by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The remains were brought to a DPAA lab for identification using DNA analysis.

“You just wanted to lay your hand on the casket and really take that moment to greet him,” David Jordan said, “and thank God for being able to bring him home for the family.”

Hear the story in the video below: