Better Late Than Never
Today’s lead is SGT Celestina Chavez, a 19 year old who was killed by enemy soldiers in Korea near the Choisin Reservoir.
Assigned to the 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Automatic Weapons Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, the statement from the DPMAA says Chavez was wounded while defending his position in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He was evacuated to an aid station on November 30, 1950, and reported missing in action on December 2, after his convoy was ambushed by opposing forces.
“The U.S. Army did not receive any indication that he was ever held as a prisoner of war and with no evidence of his continued survival, issued a presumptive finding of death on December 31, 1953,” read the statement. “He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for continuing to man his position despite his wounds during the November 30 attack.”
Think back to 2018 – President Trump met with Nork prez Kim, who arranged to pass along 55 boxes containing presumptive American remains.
DPAA scientists used a combination of anthropology, as well as circumstantial and material evidence, to identify Chavez’s remains.
The article is a little confusing – one account has Chavez KIA and his remains left during the retreat, another indicates he was wounded and killed during evacuation south.
Chavez was positively identified in April of 2025. One year later, on April 15, 2026, he was buried in Gallup, NM.
“Celestino Chavez is my mother’s little brother,” wrote Baca in his Facebook post. “He is home now, after 76 years MIA.”
Chavez’ last letter to his mother was sadly prescient:
“If anything happens to me, please mother, no tears.” Military.com
From WWII, we have another returnee.
On April 15, an airman with the 120th Airlift Wing at Great Falls Air National Guard Base, transported the remains of Army Pvt. Henry David Bordner to Montana, where he will be buried in Butte, his hometown.
Bordner endured a great deal before he died. Serving in the Pacific, he was captured by Japanese forces, becoming a prisoner of war (POW). He was forced to take part in the brutal Bataan Death March. After his death in captivity, Bordner’s remains went unidentified for decades until finally being accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on April 2, 2025.
Serving as a member of the 194th Tank Battalion in the Philippines, Bordner and his unit fought Japanese forces for months after they invaded the islands in December 1941. Finally, the Allies were forced to surrender the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942, followed by Corregidor Island less than a month later.
Following his death on Oct. 20, 1942, Bordner joined other unknown soldiers buried in the Cabanatuan Camp Cemetery, Common Grave 701, in the Philippines.
Funeral details were not available at the time of the article’s writing.
Following his return to Butte, Bordner was welcomed home with a dignified transfer ceremony as the community honored one of their own. The ceremony was coordinated by the Montana National Guard, collaborating with casualty assistance personnel and Butte officials to make sure Bordner received full military honors.
“For his family and for the people of Montana, this is about closure,” Salotti said. “For us, it’s about ensuring that no one is forgotten.” Military.com
It’s unusual that an article like this would not have a picture, no matter how old, of the service member – its lack suggests that he may not have much family left. Sounds like anyone who may reside in the Butte area should be keeping their eyes open for the actual funeral.
Category: Korea, We Remember, WWII
Welcome home Brothers. Sorry it took so long. Be at peace and may perpetual light shine upon you.
Welcome home. God be with your families now.
Welcome home brothers. May you rest in peace now that you are home.
Welcome Home.
Posts like these used to be a weekly occurrence here on TAH. I looked forward to them and hope they are a returning feature.
Welcome home brothers.
I took my kids to the ABMC cemetery in Manila back in 2014. We couldn’t make it there Memorial Day so I used 6 June 2014 as a suitable substitute.
Breaking: A shooting at the White House Correspondence Dinner. Shooter apprehended. Pres Trump ushered away by the USSS. More to come.
Reports that no one was hurt. A uniformed USSS agent was shot in the chest, but his ballistic vest stopped the round. This occurred on the outer perimeter of the hotel where the magnetometers are stationed. The alleged shooter is from California.
Rest in Peace Sgt Chavez and Pvt Henry Bordner and thank you both for your service to this fine nation and for making the greatest sacrifice that a warrior can give. Two more of the BABBMFer type (written with the utmost respect).
A bit off topic, but while we are talking about hero’s I wanted to throw a shout out to my later Brother-in-law Butch A. Butch was an Army type Viet Nam vet (in country 66-67 I believe) who was wounded twice and the last time badly enough that among other things required a plate being installed in his head along with his back being peppered with shrapnel. Not sure what injuries he had that warranted his first Purple Heart though. Even his family only knew limited details from when he was wounded. It wasn’t until he died two and half years ago and was buried in a local Veteran’s cemetery that the rest of the family learned that he had also been awarded the second purple heart and a Bronze Star which was inscribed on his tomb stone. He would never talk about the war (His father, an Army vet himself and I as well tried to ask him a few questions, but he always said that he was a cook). When asked further about how he was wounded he would just say that the base was shelled. It was not until he was on his deathbed that his grandson asked him to tell his story. By this time, his daughter found his DD214 and his medals that he had tucked away and had his Bronze Star citation, so his grandson begged him to tell his story. He did but only in limited detail. When his grandson asked him why he told everyone that he was a cook he explained that he just got sick and tired of telling the stories over and over again so he figured that if he told everyone that he was a cook they would leave him alone and not ask any more questions. Thank you for your service to this great nation Butch and for the mental and physical pain and anguish you endured all those years.