Korean War soldier finally comes home
Associated Press
HOUSTON - Billy Donahoe's family shed tears of happiness as the Korean War veteran returned home to be buried.
Donahoe was a 26-year-old Army master sergeant when he was declared missing in action 54 years ago after the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
"There is sadness, and there is joy that he is finally home," said Linda Anderson Watley, his niece.
It was three years ago when the remains of 11 Army infantrymen killed in the battle were discovered in a mass grave. Earlier this year, Donahoe's family learned from military officials that his could be among them.
"We always thought this day would come. Today, I would say I feel hope," said Harry Anderson, Donahoe's nephew. "That's why we reserved the cemetery plot next to his mama."
Donahoe was buried Tuesday beside his mother, Sudie Donahoe Fontenot, in a family plot.
Anderson said the hope he feels after more than five decades of uncertainty should be extended to all Americans, particularly those with loved ones serving in Gulf War II.
Army Maj. Scott Erdo delivered to Donahoe's family a copy of the report of his death compiled by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.
He said he didn't think the family gave up hope.
"The military made this family a promise," Erdo said. "What this says to all the families in the military is, we will not give up until every fallen soldier is recovered."
Donahoe was a Marine veteran of World War II who joined the Army in 1946.
"Full of adventure, full of love and not wanting to sit still for any length of time, you know," Anderson said.
He'd been in Korea "for only a few days," relatives said, when they received word he was missing. Three years later, the Army declared him dead.
After the discovery of the remains, military officials asked relatives for a DNA sample to aid in the identification, but the process became complicated because Donahoe had been adopted. Army dog tags and dental records finally confirmed his identity.
Donahoe was buried beside his adoptive mother.
"She went to her grave thinking that Billy was still alive and that he would come home from Korea," Anderson said.
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