Remains of Nash County soldier, presumed dead in 1953, return from North Korea
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- The remains of a soldier who was presumed dead in North Korea in 1953 are finally home.
Pfc. William Hoover Jones, who is one of two soldiers whose remains have been returned by the North Korean government, and since identified, is being returned to Rocky Mount.
The remains of Jones, who went missing-in-action during the Korean War on Nov. 26, 1950, and was presumed dead on Dec. 31, 1953, arrived at Raleigh-Durham International Airport Thursday morning.
On Friday, Jones' flag-draped coffin was taken to the North Carolina State Capitol, where his family, Gov. Roy Cooper and other citizens paid their respects and formally thanked him for his service.
It is estimated that the remains of 5,000 service members are still in North Korea.
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RDU Fire Rescue provided a water cannon salute.
The public stood with the fallen soldier's family, as well as local officials, during the ceremony.
"When I saw the casket, it was an emotional time for me," said Gregory Ohree, Jones's nephew. "It's been a long time. I know it's been a long time for my mom and her two sisters. And I'm glad that all of them are alive to witness something like this as well too."
Funeral services for Jones will be held on June 23 at Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount, and he will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on August 22.
Jones has been awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
