Korean War POW Finally Laid To Rest in Chattanooga
A Marion County soldier will finally be laid to rest after dying in a Korean prisoner of war camp almost 65 years ago.
Lotchie John Ray Jones was serving with the First Calvary Division during the Korean War.
He was just 17 years old when he was captured.
U.S. officials believe he died in a prison camp a few months later.
In 1954, Chinese forces turned over remains of soldiers who died at the camp, but they were misidentified.
The remains were buried in Hawaii as unidentified.
But last year, officials decided technology could now help them solve they mystery.
Researchers used chest radiographs, dental records and skeletal remains to confirm the remains were those of PFC Jones.
Now Governor Haslam is offering his surviving family members a chance at a final farewell.
“After decades of not knowing, the Jones family and Jasper community will finally get closure as they bring Lotchie home to rest,” Haslam said.
Jones is survived by his brother M.V. Jones of Whitwell, TN and his sister Mamie Lou Wells of Jasper, TN.
The body of PFC Jones will arrive at Nashville International Airport on Wednesday.
There will be a visitation on Thursday at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper.
And PFC Lotchie Jones will be buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Friday.
The Governor has declared a day of mourning and ordered flags a half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday in tribute.
Lotchie John Ray Jones was serving with the First Calvary Division during the Korean War.
He was just 17 years old when he was captured.
U.S. officials believe he died in a prison camp a few months later.
In 1954, Chinese forces turned over remains of soldiers who died at the camp, but they were misidentified.
The remains were buried in Hawaii as unidentified.
But last year, officials decided technology could now help them solve they mystery.
Researchers used chest radiographs, dental records and skeletal remains to confirm the remains were those of PFC Jones.
Now Governor Haslam is offering his surviving family members a chance at a final farewell.
“After decades of not knowing, the Jones family and Jasper community will finally get closure as they bring Lotchie home to rest,” Haslam said.
Jones is survived by his brother M.V. Jones of Whitwell, TN and his sister Mamie Lou Wells of Jasper, TN.
The body of PFC Jones will arrive at Nashville International Airport on Wednesday.
There will be a visitation on Thursday at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper.
And PFC Lotchie Jones will be buried at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Friday.
The Governor has declared a day of mourning and ordered flags a half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday in tribute.
Leave a Reply