Soldier's remains return home after 64 years



CLEVELAND -- The body of a soldier killed in action 64 years ago has been returned to Northeast Ohio.
Donald D. Durfee, Private First Class United States Army, was 19-years-old when he was killed in action on Dec. 2, 1950 at the Chosin Reservoir Battle in North Korea.

PFC Durfee's remains were turned over during Operation Glory in 1954 and later interned as an "unknown" in the National Military Cemetery of the Pacific. He was later Identified on Nov. 5, 2013 through Military DNA registry.
His welcome-home ceremony will begin at Hopkins Airport just before noon, with an escort from the United States Army and will be greeted by the Military Honor Guard, Airport Rescue and Firefighting Honor Guard and members of the Patriot Guard Riders.
The honor ceremony represents the 250th honor salute since the inception of the 'CLE Fallen Soldier' program in 2002.
PFC Durfee has no surviving family to attend, but several Military groups will honor the veteran.
PFC Durfee will "Lie in honor" Wednesday from 2-4 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Craciun Berry Funeral Home located at 7200 Detroit Ave. Cleveland. Committal Services will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.

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