A Valentine soldier missing in action since 1950 was recently identified and has been brought home for interment.
Valentine residents lined Main Street for the return of Private Thompson last evening. Many were holding US flags. Private Thompson was escorted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Cherry County Sheriffs Office, Cherry County Ambulance Service, Valentine and Kilgore Fire Departments and the Legion Motorcycle riders among others.
On Dec. 2, 1950, Private First Class Dale Dewayne Thompson, age 18, was reported missing in action near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea during a battle with enemy forces.
On July 27, 2018, North Korea turned over 55 boxes containing the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War. The remains were taken to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory in Hawaii for identification. Using the latest technology, PFC Thompson’s remains were identified Nov. 28, 2022. Thompson’s remains have been transported to Nebraska and were taken by procession Tuesday to the Sandoz Chapel of the Pines at Valentine. A graveside service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, June 30, at the Mount Hope Cemetery.
Thompson is survived by cousins Betty Schroeder of North Platte, Pat Mundorf of Lincoln, Sharon Strombaugh of Lexington, and Sally Nelson of Salt Lake City, Utah; and nieces Connie Otterness of Vero Beach, Fla., Gayle Henderson of Goddard, Kan., Janice Enright of Cape Coral, Fla., and Cathy Duncan of Valentine.