Remans of Iowa soldier killed in Korean War coming home

(Undated) -- The remains of an Iowa soldier killed in the Korean War are coming home. Corporal Eldert Beek will receive fully military honors, June 14th at the Evergreen Cemetery in the Lyon County town of George. Beek was originally from Sibley, Iowa. He was killed in action December 1st, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. He was 20-years old when he was killed.

On July 27, 2018, following the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in June 2018, North Korea turned over 55 boxes, purported to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War. The remains arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on Aug. 1, 2018, for identification.

Scientists from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence to identify Beek's remains.

Scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

Beek’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others still missing from the Korean War.

A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Beek’s military awards and honors include the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (with three Bronze Service Stars), Presidential Unit Citation-Navy, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korean-Korean War Service Medal, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

The Iowa National Guard will provide graveside honors.


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