Korean War Soldiers Identified, Laid to Rest After 70+ Years

Two Korean War soldiers, U.S. Army Private First Class William A. Wheeler and U.S. Army Corporal Anthony Konze, who were missing in action for over 70 years, have been identified and laid to rest with full military honors. Wheeler, from Hazel Park, Michigan, was killed in action in 1950 and his remains, initially designated as Unknown X-181, were identified through dental and DNA analysis in 2024; his burial is planned for Troy, Michigan. Konze, who went missing in 1950 and was buried among unknown soldiers in Hawaii, was identified last year and laid to rest at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia, in a ceremony attended by family and military supporters. The nonprofit Patriot Guard Riders provided escorts for Konze’s burial, highlighting the importance of honoring fallen service members. Both soldiers’ names are commemorated on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Their recoveries and burials symbolize closure for families and recognition of their sacrifices decades after the war.