Remains of Korean War POW Going Home

Remains of Minnesota soldier who died in Korean War prison camp coming home
Twin Cities News
By Helmut Schmidt
Forum News Service
POSTED: 02/18/2015

Shadow Salute by Wounded Times

GARY, Minn. -- After more than six decades, Sgt. Arnold Andring is finally coming home.

The Gary man, who fought in the Korean War and died as a prisoner of war, will be laid to rest with full military honors in April next to his mother and father in St. Michael's Cemetery in Mahnomen.

Andring's remains -- found amid 208 boxes holding the commingled remains of more than 400 soldiers -- were turned over by the North Koreans between 1991 and 1994.

His remains, stored at the Central Identification Laboratory-Hawaii, were recently identified by experts using DNA testing.

For Andring's family, the news kindled a mix of long-buried sadness and relief.

"It's the end. It's a closure. We've been waiting for this for a long time," said Lucille Gish, one of Andring's five surviving siblings.

"I firmly believe it was a miracle. God was looking out for us. We're lucky," the 82-year-old Mahnomen woman said. "There are many boys who haven't been found out there yet."

"I just mostly blubbered" on the phone, Len Andring of Moorhead said of his initial talk on Jan. 22 with military officials.

Len Andring said the family always wondered if it was possible to find his brother's remains, but no one gave up hope.

"The Army has been great in keeping in touch," the 86-year-old said. "To go this far to honor their promise of bringing everyone home..." he said, his voice trailing off.
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