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News Release

Press Release | April 16, 2015

Soldier Missing From Korean War Accounted For (Pitman)

The Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Army Sgt. Arnold Pitman, 22, of Nebo, N.C., will be buried April 26, in Dysartville, N.C. In late 1950, Pitman was assigned to Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), 7th Infantry Division. From Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, 1950, the 31st RCT, known historically as Task Force Faith, fought against enemy assaults in the vicinity east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, where the 31st RCT suffered tremendous losses. Following the battle, Pitman was reported missing in action Dec. 12, 1950.

During Operation Glory in September 1954, the United Nations and Chinese forces exchanged remains of war dead, some of which were reportedly from the area where Pitman was lost.

To identify Pitman’s remains, scientists from DPAA used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, including radiography which matched his records.

Today, 7,852 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were buried as unknowns in American cemeteries, or those previously turned over by North Korean officials or recovered by American teams.

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for Americans, who went missing while serving our country, visit the DPAA website at www.dpaa.mil or call (703) 699-1420.