Army Pvt. Virgil B. Adkins, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
On July 17, 1953, Adkins was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, on a combat patrol to reconnoiter enemy activity in an area north of the former Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), North Korea, when it came under attack, forcing a withdrawal back to friendly lines. As a result of the fighting, Adkins was reported missing in action.
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 Adkins’ remains were included.
Interment services are set for Sept. 3, in Hinton, West Virginia.
Welcome home and rest in peace, Pvt. Adkins.