Remains found in N. Korea are East Boston soldierÕs
Nephew: ÔWe never thought heÕd be foundÕ
By Marie Szaniszlo
Fifty-seven years after he went missing during the Korean War, forensic experts have identified the remains of a 33-year-old East Boston soldier.
The Army has notified relatives of Sgt. Agostino Di Rienzo that his remains were among those of at least three people recovered from a mass grave south of Unsan, North Korea.
The remains were found in 2002 by a joint U.S.-North Korean team, but only recently identified through DNA testing, dental records and a small Holy Name Society medal found with the remains, according to a report by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Committee. The medal bears the words ÒSt. Christopher, be my guideÓ and is identical to one Di RienzoÕs mother had given him before he left home, said his nephew, Richard Faiella.
ÒSo many years gone by . . .,Ó Faiella said yesterday. ÒWe never thought heÕd be found.Ó
A World War II veteran, Di Rienzo re-enlisted during the Korean War and was assigned to the ArmyÕs 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, positioned along the Nammyon River, when the regiment was attacked and cut off by Chinese Communist forces on Nov. 1, 1950, less than a year after he was deployed to North Korea.
He was one of more than 350 servicemen who were unaccounted for after the battle near Unsan, in an area known as ÒCamelÕs Head.Ó
While he was missing in action, Di Rienzo was promoted to sergeant. A military review board later amended his status to Ópresumed killed in action.Ó And for his leadership and valor, he was awarded the bronze star and the purple heart, which lay in a wooden box on the kitchen table yesterday in FaiellaÕs East Boston home.
Faiella was 12 when the family received a telegram Thanksgiving week, notifying them that his uncle was missing in action.
ÒIt was hard for my grandmother to understand,Ó he said. ÒShe never recovered from it.Ó
Shortly after the Army told the family his remains had been found, Faiella broke the news to a childhood friend of his uncleÕs.
ÒHe started crying,Ó Faiella said. ÒHe said, ÔHeÕs home.Õ Ó
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