Korean War vet from Norden laid to rest in Valentine 73 years after his death

VALENTINE, Neb. – A Korean War veteran from north central Nebraska was finally laid to rest Friday morning.

The U.S. Army brought PFC Dale Thompson back home to Nebraska this week after he had been missing for decades.

He was first reported missing in 1950 after his platoon was ambushed in Korea, and was assumed killed in action two years later. He was 18 at the time of the attack.

His remains were identified late last year.

Like thousands of soldiers who had gone missing or were presumed dead, Thompson’s name was etched into the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

The U.S. has received partial unidentified remains from North Korea several times in recent years. In 2018, American officials received Thompson’s remains, which were identified after four years of DNA testing.

The Norden native was flown into Omaha’s Eppley Airfield on Tuesday and was transported via motorcade to Valentine. The escort included Patriot Guard riders and the Nebraska State Patrol alongside the Nebraska Army National Guard van carrying his body.

Approximately 73 years after his death, Thompson was officially laid to rest next to his parents at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Valentine.

Now that Thompson is no longer considered missing, a rosette will be placed next to his name at the memorial in Hawaii to indicate that he has been located.