Remains of Korean War Veteran Identified and Returned to Family In Massachusetts

It is good to see that the US military continues to work to identify remains of the Missing In Action from prior conflicts like the Korean War:

The remains of Army Sergeant Christopher Y Vars, brother of long-time Reading resident Robert Vars, returned home on Wednesday, 65 years after being listed as Missing in Action while fighting in North Korea on Nov. 29, 1950.

Sgt. Vars was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

He served during World War II in Burma, Central Burma and China, leaving the service at the end of the war.

He reenlisted to serve during the Korean War.

Sgt. Vars was taken as prisoner of war while in Korea. His remains were found in POW Camp No. 5, in North Korea, along the banks of the Yulu River, but a DNA match was unable to be made until recently.

Sgt. Vars was the recipient of many awards, including the Purple Heart, the POW and MIA Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and several others.

He was escorted by State Police and the Patriot Guard to a funeral home in Reading.

A burial with full military honors will be held on Oct. 6. A service will be held at the Congregational Church in Reading on that day.   [WHDH.com]