The military returned the body of a World War II veteran killed in action during World War II.
Sampan reports the army brought home Pvt Kwack Keung Woo to Agwam, Massachusetts Friday 79 years after his death and 73 years after his remains were found.
According to WGGB, Woo died in Biesdorf, Germany during battle alongside his fellow soldiers in the Company E, 2nd Battalion, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division in 1945.
He has been buried unidentified in Tunisa in Northern Africa until the Army exhumed his body for positive identification.
DNA from the Woo family confirmed the private’s identity.
“The last 2 weeks have been kind of so surreal and it’s a blessing that he is now finally home with us, and we can really now have some closure to the 79 years of not being together, missing, didn’t know where he was,” said granddaughter Celinda Woo to Western Mass News.
She was on hand to greet the body when it arrived in Agwam to a traditional military tribute of three rifle shots, representing duty, honor and country.
US Army veteran Genie Boland made the 90-plus minute trip from Boston to pay tribute to Woo.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be here and to give him a farewell, and that he came home, which is the most beautiful thing,” he said.
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