Valentine soldier returns home after 72 years

Dale Dewayne Thompson, of Valentine, was an 18-year-old high school student when he and his brother, Gene, enlisted in the Army.

More than 72 years after being reported as missing in action, Dale Thompson returned home for the final time.

His remains were identified in November. On June 27, he was flown to Omaha and made the long trek home to the north central community where he grew up.

According to Thompson's obituary, the Thompson brothers enlisted shortly before war officially broke out on June 25, on the Korean Peninsula.

During a battle near the Chosin Reservoir, in North Korea, Private First Class Dale Thompson, was reported missing following an ambush on his platoon.

The date: Dec. 2, 1950.

Two years later, it was presumed Thompson was killed in action.

His name, along with those of other soldiers who were presumed dead or missing in action, was added to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in Honolulu.

Thompson's remains were identified Nov. 28, 2022. His were among the remains of 55 individuals who were sent to Hawaii, following a 2018 summit between former President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

A rosette will be placed by his name on the Hawaiian memorial to indicate Thompson has been located.

On May 11, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency honored Thompson during a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickman, Hawaii.

Thompson was honored in his hometown, Friday, with services at Mt. Hope Cemetery.