DNA helps identify soldier killed in Korean War
Associated Press
AKRON, Ohio - DNA testing has helped identify the remains of an Ohio soldier killed during the Korean War 56 years ago.
Pfc. Francis Crater, from the Akron suburb of Barberton, was a 21-year-old infantryman when he was killed during fighting at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
The fallen soldier's brother, Glenn D. Crater, 79, of Akron, said he received the news in a phone call from an Army official a few weeks ago.
"I was quite shocked," Crater said, although he and another relative had provided DNA samples.
Crater keeps a telegram the family received dated Dec. 17, 1950, that confirmed that Francis Crater was killed in battle Nov. 28 of that year.
Crater said an Army officer has set up a meeting with him for Thursday to provide information about the identification and recovery of the remains. He said they will arrange for a military funeral.
Crater said it could be few more weeks before the remains arrive from a DNA testing center at the U.S Army Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii.
Although his brother could have been buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Crater said the family has chosen Greenlawn Memorial Park in Akron so that the soldier can be buried next to his mother.