Korean War veteran’s remains returned to US after 70 years

The remains of a Korean War veteran from New Jersey have been returned to the United States after 70 years.

News 12 Staff

Mar 23, 2019, 2:16 AM

Updated 1,884 days ago

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Korean War veteran’s remains returned to US after 70 years
The remains of a Korean War veteran from New Jersey have been returned to the United States after 70 years.
Army Sgt. Frank Suliman of Middlesex County died as a prisoner of war in North Korea in 1951. He was just 20 years old. His remains were among a handful of soldier’s remains which were recently identified and returned to the U.S. by the North Korean government as part of an agreement reached by the two countries last year.
George Bruzgis, also a Korean War veteran, says that he was surprised how quickly the remains were returned. He says it was long overdue.
“You don’t leave a man behind, that’s the way I look at it. If he’s dead, you try to get him,” Bruzgis says.
Suliman, of New Brunswick, was captured by soldiers in December 1950 and reportedly died in March of 1951. His remains, along with the remains of 54 other soldiers were returned to the U.S. last August, following an agreement between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Bruzgis served in the 7th Infantry Division in Korea. The 85-year-old says that if given a choice between being a prisoner of war or dying in action, he would choose the latter due to the abusive conditions of war camps.
Bruzgis says that he will not have any closure until all U.S. soldiers are returned home.
“We have one body back so far identified. Every one you get is a victory, he says.
Military officials say that 7,663 American Korean War veterans remain unaccounted for.


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