News-Info-Alerts

Re: 51 Years Later, A Family Waits & Wonders

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: July 09, 2002

"51 years later, a family still wonders

By CARI HAMMERSTROM
The Pueblo Chieftain

Jose Maria Samora is out there somewhere, in spirit or in flesh, but no one, not even the United States government knows where.

He was born in Alamosa in 1933 and enthusiastically enrolled in the Army in 1950 at the young age of 17.

But soon after he arrived in Korea in 1951, Samora became a prisoner of war at Suan Bean Camp. It was terrible for the family, but not as bad as it would be.

Three years later a telegraph arrived at the Samora home, bearing grave news.

In what his family calls a "scapegoat," the United States presumed that Samora was dead because he had been missing in action and they couldn’t locate him.

An unknown POW said he saw Samora at Suan Bean Camp in Korea in 1951, according to declassified government documents, and there have been whispers that Samora was taken to a slave encampment in Siberia.

The truth still is far from being uncovered.

Barbara Massara, Samora’s younger sister, and Samora’s nephew, Robert Aragon, have been searching for answers for at least five years.

At first, Massara tried the Veterans Administration. She said it took them three years to send her a letter telling her that they couldn’t find anything.

Massara was also told that records containing her brother’s military information were destroyed in a warehouse fire.

She made so many phone calls and no one was willing to help her determine the fate of her brother.

The family finally turned to U.S. Rep. Scott McInnis, R-Colo., when they were getting nowhere fast.

“He has been most helpful with the right political influence,” Aragon said.

U.S. Army photo of Jose Samora taken in 1951. Samora was posthumously honored for his service during the Korean Conflict.

The case of Samora’s disappearance is receiving more attention at a national level, Massara said, and McInnis has taken time to personally honor Samora with the medals he deserved, she added.

“I wanted to get to you before Independence Day,” McInnis said.

McInnis arrived Wednesday evening at the Massara’s Pueblo home bearing gifts: seven medals - including the Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and Korean Service medal - and a U.S. flag that flew over the White House in Samora‘s honor were placed in a case lined with velvet and given to the family.

McInnis said that the government is doing all it can to find out what happen to Samora. He commended the family for their undying efforts and research.

“You cooked the cake and I just put the frosting on it,” he told Massara.

Samora’s mother never received the flag that adorns the coffin of deceased soldiers.

“My mother never got any peace knowing what happened to my brother,” Massara said. “These are just medals. I want to know what exactly happened to my brother. If they come up with a body, then it will end.”

Massara said she would like some sort of closure, but that the medals are appreciated and will be cherished.

Samora’s family still has hope that they will find out where their loved one was buried, or, in a lesser chance, where he may still linger.
The Star-Journal Publishing Corp."