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.