FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA -- Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment, the “Red Dragon Battalion,” 75th Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Sill, Okla., traveled to Little Rock, Ark., Oct. 19, 2019, to bring home the remains of a Soldier lost in the Korean War in 1952.
During the Korean War, Cpl. Jerry Garrison served as an Infantryman assigned to 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
Sadly, Garrison was declared missing in action after his unit was attacked by the enemy near the Chosin Reservoir, in Jangjin, North Korea, on Dec. 2, 1950.
Fast forward nearly 65 years, Garrison’s remains have finally been identified and sent home.
“When we realized he wasn’t coming home, my parent’s hearts were broken, and they never were fixed,” said Alice Pearson, Garrison’s younger sister. “I had truly lost all hope. But having him home now, after all these years, it warms my heart.”
Garrison’s remains returned to Little Rock, Ark., Oct. 19, and were welcomed home by his family and friends, and his fellow Soldiers.
In addition to the funeral detail, the commander of the Red Dragon Battalion was present to meet Pearson and thank her for allowing him and his Soldiers to be a part of such a special moment.
“What my Soldiers were a part of today -- bringing home one of our own -- is something I doubt they’ll ever forget,” said Lt. Col. Corrie Brice, commander of the Red Dragon Battalion. “It’s humbling, emotional and deeply personal. So being allowed to be there and share that moment with Pearson was an honor. We leave no Soldier behind, and today just reaffirmed that.”
Serving as funeral detail, Soldiers from the 75th Field Artillery Brigade traveled across state lines to provide Garrison with his military honors and a proper ‘welcome home.’
“It is an honor to have been asked to serve as the funeral detail for Garrison,” said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Cassidy, the funeral detail senior enlisted non-commissioned officer assigned to the Red Dragon Battalion, 75th FA Brigade. “It is always an emotional experience when dealing, and with Garrison, although nearly 70-years had passed, there wasn’t a dry eye among us.”
After Garrison’s remains were removed from the airplane, Pearson was finally able to be near her brother after all these years.
“I was so young when he left, but I remember always hearing him singing “Cattle Call” as he rode his horse through the woods,” Pearson recalled. “I never would have thought today would come, seeing the Soldiers who came, the community, I still can’t believe it. My brother finally got the welcome home he deserved.”