Oklahoma Soldier Finally Laid To Rest At Arlington National Cemetery After 70 Years

A Jenks man has been waiting for over 70 years to lay his grandfather Major Harvey Storms to rest in Arlington Nation Cemetery after Storms died in the Korean War.

He and his family got that honor this month. John Storms says he never met his grandfather yet he knows without a doubt his grandfather was an American hero.

"They fought for South Korea, for people to overcome communism," John told News on 6, "It's hard for me to talk about this because it's such an inspiring moment just the sacrifice that he did for our family and his family back then."

Major Harvey Storms fought in World War 2 and re-enlisted to fight in Korea. He was killed in the war in 1950 leaving behind a pregnant wife and 3 sons. His body was recovered but never identified.  "I think it's important for any family to be able to bury your loved ones to honor them respectfully. There are many still missing from Vietnam, WW2, even Afghanistan," John explained. 

John says his father and aunt submitted their DNA to the government in 2018. In 2019, their loved one's body was identified. President Trump negotiated with North Korea to get the bodies of 55 American heroes home back to the states. Harvey was one of them.

"My father got a phone call in 2019 saying they found his dad," John said with tears in his eyes, "'They found my daddy' That's what my father said to me. I can't imagine what that would be like for my kids if I was gone, and finally 'they found my daddy.' That's cool."

70 years after Major Storm's death his body IS back in the United States. He was laid to rest this month in Arlington National cemetery. John hopes other families can one day get the same comfort.

"There's people from here who fought in the Korean War -- in Oklahoma from all over. Don't give up hope. It can still happen," John encouraged. 

 According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, there are more than 7,700 American soldiers still missing from the Korean War.