LAKE CITY, Ark. –
After almost 75 years, a U.S. Army sergeant, who served in World War II and the Korean War, was finally laid to rest with full military honors in his hometown of Lake City, Nov. 19, 2024.
That same day, the flags across the state of Arkansas were flown at half-staff in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. Charles Beaty, who was positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on April 5, 2024.
Dr. John Byrd, DPAA director of scientific analysis, who attended the funeral, stated that the agency “is fully committed to the recovery and identification of all Americans missing as a result of past conflicts.”
While discussing the significance of the DPAA’s mission to provide the fullest possible accounting for American missing personnel to their families and the nation, Byrd reflected on the DPAA’s sense of elation when they can identify a missing servicemember.
“We are elated every time we can identify a missing servicemember as a result of our efforts,” said Byrd. “We sincerely hope that the family, veterans, and community in Northeastern Arkansas find comfort in knowing that their local hero, Sgt. Charles Beaty, is finally home. Sgt. Beaty served his country both in World War II and the Korean War and is deserving of our eternal gratitude.”
Describing the funeral procession, Byrd was impressed to see the streets lined with hundreds of school-aged children waving American flags, showing respect and gratitude to Beaty’s service and sacrifice to the country.
In late 1950, Beaty was a member of Item Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 3, after his unit was attacked by Chinese People’s Volunteer Army forces as they attempted to withdraw to the town of Hagaru-ri near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, Beaty’s remains could not be recovered, and he was reported missing in action. The exact circumstances of his loss were unknown.
“Sgt. Beaty courageously fought in North Korea and honorably served the United States and earned multiple accolades to include a Purple Heart, United Nations Services Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation,” said Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in a press release from her office. “Sgt. Beaty will finally be laid to rest in his home of Arkansas surrounded by family, loved ones, and a community that cherishes his memory and honors his service.”
In addition to family, loved ones, and the Lake City community, members of the Arkansas National Guard provided an honor guard and representatives of the 7th ID, based at Joint Base-Lewis-McChord, Wash., including their chaplain, took part in Beaty’s funeral service.
“Members of our division, to include the [7th] ID Chaplain were honored to attend and participate in this repatriation ceremony. It serves as a reminder of the sacred promise our Army makes to the nation and our Soldiers. We will not forget! Trust in me!” said a 7th ID spokesman on the division’s official Facebook page.
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, and were subsequently accessioned into the DPAA laboratory for analysis and identification. Of those remains, Beaty was the 91st American to be identified according to Byrd.
To identify Beaty’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological and isotope analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial genome sequencing analysis.
“It is almost emotional for me because we do the science part, which is very challenging and requires a lot of thought and a lot of tedious work,” said Byrd, while talking with a reporter at the funeral. “But when you see the family and you see how the community turned out to welcome Sgt. Beaty home, it tells you everything you are doing everyday matters.”
Beaty’s name is recorded on the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.