Twenty-five years ago, Johnie Martin gave a DNA sample to the U.S. Department of Defense. On May 21, it finally paid off. Martin’s DNA helped identify the remains of his uncle, Cpl. Marvin E. Omans, who died in the Korean War in 1950.
Friday afternoon, Martin, 57, and his family were there as Omans’ remains arrived at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Fieldfrom Honolulu.
It has been 63 years since Omans was declared missing in action and presumed dead.
“It’s exciting; it’s different,” said Martin’s daughter, Trecia Rodenberg, 29. “It gives you that closure and peace.”
Omans was born in Clinton, Mo., in 1930. He enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was 16, said Martin’s wife, Brenda, 57. Omans was reported missing in action on Dec. 3, 1950, near Sinhung-ri, North Korea, according to his obituary. He was on a mission to secure a road near the Chosin Reservoir.
In 1954’s Operation Glory, the remains of many Americans killed in the war were handed over to the United Nations for identification. According to a news release by the Defense Department on Omans’ return, boxes containing the remains of 200-400 soldiers were handed over between 1991-94. North Korean documents with those boxes indicated the remains were found in the area where Omans went missing.
On Friday, Martin and family joined his mother, Dorothy Martin, 86, to welcome home her brother, watching from the airport runway as the plane carrying Omans’ casket landed about 1:40 p.m.
Dorothy Martin of Pine Bluff was the only one of Omans’ three siblings able to be there for his return.
“This is just so amazing for her,” said Brenda Martin.
The family watched as Omans was transported from the plane to a hearse by an honor guard. The group then drove to Little Rock Funeral Home, accompanied by a long line of Patriot Guard Riders on motorcycles.
“We never thought they’d find him,” said Johnie Martin. “We were elated.” He said he heard a lot of good stories about his uncle when he was growing up.
Martin’s son, James, 24, said he was shocked when he got the news.
“It’s really brought joy toour family,” he said.
Floyd Spears, with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, said he was riding with the Patriot Riders to support and give closure to the family.
“It’s the patriot thing to do,” he said, “the right thing to do.”
Spears said the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and Patriot Riders do many similar escorts for the funerals of veterans.
Larry Weston, airport security coordinator for the airport, spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy and said it means a lot to be able to facilitate welcomes for fallen veterans.
“I’ve felt myself in harm’sway more than once,” he said. “That could be me.”
Johnie and Brenda Martin said it was important for the descendants of missing veterans to give DNA so other families can be reunited.
“This is really a treat to us,” Brenda Martin said. “This is the first time we’ve ever met him.”
According to the Defense Department release, more than 7,900 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War.
Funeral services with full military honors for Omans will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.
Arkansas, Pages 9 on 06/22/2013