An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Dec. 10, 2018

Puerto Rico Army Guard honors MIA Soldier from Korea

By Luis Orengo Puerto Rico National Guard

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Cpl. Francisco Ramos Rivera, a 19 year-old Puerto Rican from Aibonito and member of the 24th Infantry Division, was declared missing in action (MIA) during the Korean War in 1950.

His remains were positively identified in 2017 and returned to his family in Puerto Rico days ago.

"Today we received the remains of this young Puerto Rican who did his duty in a faraway country and by the designs of destiny could not return home," said the adjutant general of Puerto Rico, Brig. Gen. Isabelo Rivera. "Here we have accomplished our solemn commitment of not stopping our search for our missing in action until all have come back home."

Ramos Rivera's remains arrived at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Carolina in recent days and were received by the Puerto Rico Army National Guard Honor Guard.

The burial, with full military honors, was conducted at the Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamon. Brig. Gen. Isabelo Rivera, alongside the top leadership of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, showed their respects during the ceremony.

Among Cpl. Francisco Ramos Rivera's family was his 83 year-old brother, sisters, nieces and nephews who expressed their gratitude for the opportunity given to the Ramos-Rivera family to bring closure to such a painful chapter in their lives.

According to the US Department of Defense, the total number of U.S. servicemen still missing in action during the Korean War is 7,675.

Of that total, 122 are Puerto Ricans who are still listed as missing in action.More than 61,000 Puerto Ricans served during the Korean War.

 

 

Related Articles
Soldiers stand in formation during a mobilization ceremony for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element Jan. 20, 2025, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
Illinois Guard Unit to Support U.S. Army Europe and Africa
By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton, | Jan. 21, 2025
SULLIVAN, Ill. - The Illinois Army National Guard’s 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element was activated Jan. 20 for deployment to Africa and Europe.A forward logistics element is a diverse team comprising...

U.S. Army Sgt. Bryce Carter, an infantryman with C Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, California Army National Guard, sharpens the blade of a hoe to clear brush and other debris as part of remediation efforts along the Mulholland Trail near Tarzana, California, in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, Jan. 18, 2025. Carter and other members of his unit were assisting CALFIRE in mop-up efforts, which included clearing brush and backfilling firebreaks and other areas to prevent mudslides and reduce the impact of firefighting efforts.
National Guard Members Continue LA Wildfire Response
By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, | Jan. 21, 2025
LOS ANGELES – U.S. Army Sgt. Ricardo Hernandez watched from a cross street as sporadic traffic passed on the Pacific Coast Highway near Pacific Palisades. The late afternoon sun glinted off his sunglasses as a man on a...

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, Army Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, and Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director, Army National Guard, visit National Guardsmen on duty to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration as part of Joint Task Force – District of Columbia (JTF-DC), Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 2025. JTF-DC is a scalable and tailorable entity that supports presidential inaugurations every four years and is led by the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard. JTF-DC supports civilian authorities, such as the U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Secret Service and D.C. Metropolitan Police by providing support like crowd management, traffic control points, CBRN response, civil disturbance response and sustainment operations.
National Guard Bureau Leaders Meet With Guardsmen Supporting 60th Presidential Inauguration
By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, | Jan. 20, 2025
WASHINGTON – About 7,800 National Guard troops are on duty here as part of a large interagency presence to ensure the peaceful transition of power during the 60th Presidential Inauguration Monday, continuing a legacy that...