A Korean War POW has been laid to rest near his mother's grave in California with full military honors more than 60 years after he died of untreated wounds in enemy hands.
Army Sgt. Lee Henderson Manning’s burial was held Friday at the Inglewood Park Cemetery near Los Angeles, bringing relief to his sister and other relatives.
“It really warms my heart and I know I can keep this in my memory bank forever,” Carrie Elam told KTLA-TV after her brother’s graveside memorial service.
Manning was just 20 years old when he enlisted in 1950 and trained as a medic. He had hoped to become a doctor.
Returning prisoners of war reported Manning was captured by Chinese forces while rendering aid to members of the 9th Infantry Regiment during a December 1950 battle. He died six months later from medical neglect and was buried in a mass grave.
The government notified the family this summer that DNA testing confirmed the identity of remains provided by North Korea.
During the service, a South Korean government official presented his country’s Ambassador for Peace Medal to Manning’s family.
Elam told KTLA she wondered if her brother’s remains would ever be found.
“Who would have ever thought that they’d find my brother after 60 years? So, if you have faith, it can happen,” she said.
More than 7,000 Americans are still unaccounted for from the Korean War.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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