Fallen Soldier Returns Home after 66 Years

NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio – The body of an area soldier returns home nearly 6 decades after fighting in the Korean War.

It’s been 66 years since Corporal Charles A. White Jr. left his home in New Lexington and was taken prisoner in the Korean War, never to be seen by his loved ones again. Tuesday day dozens of people welcomed White home as they lined the side walks of Mill St. to pay their respects.

“This means the world to me. It means a lot to me,” said June Chuvalas, Sister to Charles A. White Jr.. “I’m so glad that he’s home at least we can go to his grave and put a flower on it, it’s kind of closure.”

White was reported missing in December 1950. Only seven months after enlisting in the U.S Army in McConnelville, Oh at the age of 20.

“We got a telegram from the government that he was missing in action,” said Chuvalas. “My husband was pretty close to their outfit in North Korea. The Chinese had surrounded, made a big circle around the man and my husband got out fine which I’m glad but, my brother was captured,” said Chuvalas.

A welcome home celebration will be held at 11:30 a.m on Friday, July 29th at the Roberts-Winegardner Funeral home located at 304 Mill Street, New Lexington.