Remains of U.S. soldier from Korean War to return home in 65 years

Remains of U.S. soldier from Korean War to return home in 65 years. October. 20, 2016 07:23. by 한기재기자 record@donga.com.

The remains of a U.S. soldier who died in the Korean War will be returned to his hometown of New York for the first time in 65 years. "The Times Herald-Record," a local daily in New York, said on Monday that the remains that were kept at the U.N. Cemetery in Busan after being collected in Pocheon County, Gyeonggi Province in June 1951 have been confirmed to be those of William Vito Giovanniello (23 years old at the time of death), who went missing in April that year.

According to the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Private First Class Giovanniello went missing while his unit, 35th Regimen under the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division, was retreating in the face of offensives by Chinese and North Korean troops in Cheorwon area on April 25, 1951. His remains in the cemetery were labeled "Unknown X-1219" for 65 years, but investigation to confirm‎ his identity was conducted anew in May this year. His remains will be returned to his hometown and buried early next month at the Port Jervis Public Cemetery in New York where his family members are buried.

“We cannot believe this,” said a bereaved family member of the late U.S. soldier. She also expressed regret, saying, “I can hardly imagine how earnestly my parents-in-law would have waited (for this moment).” Giovanniello’s parents and five brothers all passed away. He was the fourth son of the family with six sons, and is survived by sisters-in-law.