New Mexico Guardsmen Honor Fallen Korean War Soldier

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Soldiers with the New Mexico Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team rendered planeside honors for Sgt. Celestino Chavez Jr., a Korean War Soldier who was listed as missing in action, upon the arrival of his remains at the Albuquerque International Sunport today.

Chavez, a New Mexico native, was accounted for following years of recovery and identification efforts conducted by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. His identification came after the return of 55 boxes of remains from North Korea in July 2018 as part of a diplomatic effort to recover fallen U.S. service members.

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“We’re here to make sure he is received with dignity,” said a member of the New Mexico Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team. “It’s an honorable duty.”

Chavez enlisted in the U.S. Army on Jan. 10, 1949, and served with Battery D, 15th Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Automatic Weapons Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. He was wounded during intense fighting at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He died on Nov. 29, 1950, at 19 years old.

For decades, Chavez’s name has been memorialized in the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. With his identification now confirmed, his name will be removed, signifying that he has been accounted for and returned home.

The New Mexico Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team conducted the dignified transfer and provided planeside honors as Chavez was returned to New Mexico. Senior leaders were present to pay their respects during the transfer.

Chavez’s service and sacrifice were recognized with numerous awards, including the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars.

A burial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Apr. 15 at the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery, where Chavez will be laid to rest with full military honors.

After nearly 70 years, Sgt. Celestino Chavez Jr. has returned home, received with the honors befitting his service and sacrifice.