On July 11th, 1950, our great uncle Charlie Dickman went MIA and was presumed dead during the Korean conflict. He was 17 years old at the time and exaggerated his age to be able to enlist. Having arrived in Korea 6 days earlier, he was placed in a defensive near the town of Chochiwon, South Korea. The regiment was not at full strength and lacked artillery and anti tank weapons. They repelled the North Korean advance as long as possible, but the regiment suffered over 531 soldiers killed, wounded or missing. After the area returned back to friendly control, numerous extensive searches were conducted for Charlie, but all came up unsuccessful. His body was never found and his name never surfaced in POW registries.

For over 70 years, no one knew what had happened to Charlie. Growing up, I always heard stories about Charlie and the continued speculation and hope that he would one day walk through the front door and be home. Unfortunately, that never happened, and the years ticked on.

In July 2018, the US Military proposed a plan to disinter 652 Korean War Unknowns from their resting place, recovered and moved to Hawaii on US soil in mass military burial site known as the punchbowl. In 2023, Charlie was properly identified and our family notified. He was found.

Last October, on a chilly and windy fall day, we were finally able to bring Charlie home. Surrounding by his family and last remaining sibling, his little sister Patricia, Charlie received a Christian burial and was laid to rest in his hometown of Cashton, WI.

After more than 73 years since he left home was shipped overseas, he was now home and would stay there. Welcome home uncle Charlie and thank you for your sacrifice.