Army Reserve Soldier helps bring closure to Family of Korean War Veteran

Photo By Maj. Marvin Baker | Sgt. 1st Class David Wheeler of the 316th ESC’s 301st Regional Support Group received a shocking call from the Army’s Casualty Operations Office that led him on a nearly three-month mission to care for the surviving family members of a Soldier who had been missing and presumed dead for nearly 70 years.  

BUTLER, PA, UNITED STATES

09.28.2017

Story by Maj. Marvin Baker 

316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

When does Soldier care end? Never.

This is an axiom that practically every Soldier knows and accepts. It is instilled in and demonstrated by Soldiers throughout their career starting in basic combat training, through deployments, in retirement, and long after they take their last breath, in many cases. And then, the caring for Soldiers shifts to the surviving Families.

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers in the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) who have had the honor of serving as a Casualty Assistance Officer or Casualty Notification Officer know this well.

Earlier this summer, Sgt. 1st Class David Wheeler of the 316th ESC’s 301st Regional Support Group received a shocking call from the Army’s Casualty Operations Office that led him on a nearly three-month mission to care for the surviving family members of a Soldier who had been missing and presumed dead for nearly 70 years.

Army Master Sgt. George R. Housekeeper Jr., formerly of Butler County, Pennsylvania, died in the Korean War during General Douglas MacArthur's plan to drive the North Korean and Chinese forces north from Yalu River in 1950, according to Army records. His body had been unrecoverable for decades until Army investigators were able to positively identify Housekeeper and begin the process to repatriate his remains.

One of the most important steps in that process involved Wheeler, who was assigned as the Family’s Casualty Assistance Officer. Wheeler, who had previously completed the Army’s official Casualty Assistance training and had served on several funeral honor missions, said he was comfortable with the difficulties that came with helping guide the family through this traumatizing circumstance.

Often, it’s the little things the CAO can do to help bring closure to the Family, Wheeler said. He noticed that the family did not have any of their Soldier’s official awards and decorations. So, he made sure the family received new awards including Housekeepers awards from WW II and his final award—The Purple Heart. He also helped the family determine where their Soldier’s remains should be buried. They selected Arlington National Cemetery. Finally, Wheeler arranged an official ceremony at his unit in Butler, Pennsylvania, to present the Family the awards on Sept. 28.

Several of Housekeeper’s surviving Family members attended the event including his two sons, their children, and their grandchildren.

“One thing all this has shown me is that the Army never quits,” said Housekeeper’s granddaughter, Nicole Edwards. “They never forget you,” she added.

The U.S. Army takes care of Soldiers and Families throughout their careers. Soldiers understand that they are Soldiers for life. Now, Family members like the Housekeepers appreciate this truism, because they’ve lived it.

• Date Taken: 09.28.2017
• Date Posted: 10.03.2017 17:04
• Story ID: 250471
• Location: BUTLER, PA, US