News Summary
After nearly 75 years of uncertainty, Private First Class Arthur A. Clifton has been laid to rest with full military honors. The soldier, who went missing during the Korean War, was finally identified through DNA testing, allowing his family to find closure. Clifton’s funeral took place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers in the Korean War. His story serves as a beacon of hope for the families of other missing soldiers.
Los Lunas, New Mexico: A Soldier’s Long-Awaited Rest
In a bittersweet moment filled with both sadness and relief, Private First Class Arthur A. Clifton has finally been laid to rest almost 75 years after he was reported missing during the Korean War. The soldier, hailing from Los Lunas, New Mexico, was just 17 years old when he engaged in the notorious battles of the “Frozen Chosin” during one of the most brutal conflicts in modern history.
A Soldier’s Sacrifice
Pfc. Clifton was reported missing in action on December 11, 1950, against a backdrop of fierce fighting and terrible winter conditions. He served in the Headquarters Battery of the 48th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, where U.S. and South Korean forces faced overwhelming Chinese assaults and harsh weather. The battle was marked by horrific losses, with over 10,000 casualties sustained during the fight at the Chosin Reservoir between November 27 and December 1, 1950.
Due to the chaos of war and the United Nations’ retreat, many soldiers, including Clifton, remained unrecoverable. Over the years, more than 8,100 soldiers have been reported missing from the Korean War. Clifton’s name was sadly listed on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl in Hawaii, a solemn tribute to those who never returned home.
The Long Road to Identification
However, a significant breakthrough came to light when the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency successfully identified Clifton’s remains in August 2024. The long-awaited identification was made possible thanks to DNA testing with samples provided by his sister, Lydia Holland, now 84 years old. This remarkable process utilized advancements in forensic technology, a journey that started when Clifton’s remains were collected during Operation Glory in 1954 and originally interred in Hawaii.
A Hero’s Funeral
Finally, after nearly seven and a half decades, Pfc. Clifton was laid to rest with full military honors on January 31, 2025, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. His burial service encapsulated the solemnity and respect due to a fallen soldier, featuring a 21-gun salute and the presentation of a folded American flag to his sister, who lovingly placed a quarter in her brother’s uniform as a symbolic gesture. Before he left for military training, she had given him a quarter, making the act a touching tribute to their bond.
A Symbol of Hope and Closure
With Clifton’s name now bearing a rosette next to it at the Punchbowl, signifying his identification, many families still searching for their loved ones can find a sliver of hope. The Department of Defense has worked diligently to identify remains of Korean War veterans, identifying a total of 713 soldiers since 1980. As each soldier is brought home, there’s a shared feeling that perhaps other families will also discover the news they’ve long awaited.
While the pain of loss never fully fades, the laying to rest of Pfc. Arthur A. Clifton serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless soldiers during the Korean War. His story may have spanned decades, but it has finally come full circle, bringing a moment of peace to a family that has waited far too long.
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Additional Resources
- Fox San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Korean War
- Stars and Stripes
- Google Search: Korean War Missing Soldiers
- Express News
- Google Scholar: Chosin Reservoir Battle
- Lubbock Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Richard E. Cavazos
- KSAT
- Google News: Korean War Veteran Remains
