Idaho soldier missing in Korean War to be buried in hometown

SHELLEY, Idaho – An Army soldier reported missing in action during the Korean War is to be buried in his hometown of Shelley, Idaho, next week.

DNA and other evidence helped identify the remains of Army Corporal Charles B. Crofts, who was 19 when he was reported missing in 1950.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said Thursday that his remains will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Graveside services are scheduled July 9 at Shelley Cemetery.

The Army said Crofts' regimental combat team was overwhelmed by Chinese forces in North Korea. According to the Army, it wasn't until 2004 that recovery teams were able to find and remove remains in the area Crofts went missing.

Crofts' brother, Kim Croft, tells KPVI-TV that he and his sister gave DNA to the military about 15 years ago but didn't think anything would come of it.