Today is the day U.S. Army Cpl. Jackie Lee Thurman will finally return home to Norris City after being missing in action during the Korean War for more than 75 years.
According to Campbell Funeral Home, Thurman’s remains departed Honolulu, Hawaii, late Wednesday night and are scheduled to arrive in St. Louis at approximately 2:45 p.m. this (Thursday) afternoon.
Following a dignified transfer conducted by the United States Army, funeral home staff will escort Thurman’s remains back to Norris City.
The procession will travel east on Interstate 64, exit at Exit 110 (U.S. Highway 45 at Mill Shoals/Fairfield), and continue south on U.S. 45 to Norris City.
Members of the public are invited to line the route and pay their respects as the fallen soldier is brought home. Campbell Funeral Home will provide updates throughout the day, including the procession’s location and estimated arrival time in Norris City, on its Facebook page.
Cpl. Thurman was reported missing in action on September 3, 1950, while serving in Korea. His remains were identified earlier this year through modern forensic analysis conducted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.