Army Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence J. Smith, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On February 11, 1951, Smith was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, supporting South Korea’s Army attacks against the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in an area known as the central corridor. The CPVF launched a massive counterattack, forcing the Americans to fight at Changbong-ni. Smith was reported missing near the village of Saemal, South Korea, on Feb. 12, 1951.
Between 1990 and 1994, North Korea returned to the United States 208 boxes of commingled human remains, which helped account for the remains of at least 600 U.S. servicemen who fought during the war.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Smith’s remains were included.
Interment services are scheduled for Sept. 30 in Crowley, Louisiana.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Sgt. 1st Class Smith.