Remains of Gaston County man returned 69 years after going MIA in North Korea

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — U.S. Army Cpl. Earl W. Duncan of McAdenville was 23 when he was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, in North Korea after his unit was attacked by enemy forces.

[Korean War soldier's remains return home, 60 years later]

Following the battle during the Korean War, his remains could not be recovered.

His family didn’t know what happened to him for 30 years but on Sept. 10, his remains were accounted for, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said.

Over the weekend, the aging hands of his three siblings touched the casket holding the remains of Earl Duncan once they were returned to the United States.

“Brother Earl, welcome home,” said Howard Duncan, his brother.

Earl Duncan was called to the Korean War, Howard Duncan recalled.

"General MacArthur said, ‘Boys, you are going to be home by Christmas,’” Howard Duncan said.

Earl Duncan was later declared missing in action.

Earl Duncan’s brother, Samuel Duncan, went to Korea and learned some POWs were being released about 200 miles away.

“I thought if I was lucky, maybe I could get there,” Samuel Duncan said.

Samuel Duncan did not get to the area and he returned to the U.S. but his brother didn’t.

The Duncans gave DNA hoping to find a match in the remains located in Korea.

They heard nothing for 30 years.

"I had just about given up hope," Howard Duncan said.

On July 27, 2018, within a week of the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in June 2018. North Korea turned over 55 boxes that supposedly contained the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War.

The Duncans learned there was a match for their sibling on Sept. 11.

"We have been waiting for this day for a lifetime,"

Earl Duncan’s remains arrived Saturday at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

"I have a hole in my life, but it got filled in that airport,” Howard Duncan said.

The family will never know how Earl Duncan died.

Earl Duncan will be laid to rest this weekend at Gaston Memorial park in an area reserved for military veterans.

Duncan was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regimental Combat Team.

Cox Media Group