The remains of a Somerville soldier who died during the Korean War in 1951 were flown to Boston's Logan International Airport on Saturday afternoon.The previously unidentified remains of Sgt. George R. Schipani were then taken to Keefe Funeral Home in Arlington with a police escort.Schipani had been buried for more than 30 years in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu alongside other fallen soldiers, the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said. In January, Schipani's remains were identified, according to the DPAAAIn 1950, Schipani was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division when his unit took part in the Battle of Unsan, North Korea, the DPAA said. Early in the morning of Nov. 2, 1950, Schipani's battalion was struck by enemy units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces, the DPAA said. After several days of intense fighting, survivors escaped to friendly lines. Schipani was reported missing in action as of Nov. 2, 1950, the DPAA said. At the end of the war, returning American prisoners stated that Schipani had been captured and marched to Pyoktong, Prisoner of War Camp 5, and died in February or March 1951, the DPAA said. The U.S. Army was able to recover the remains of American soldiers from Korea in 1954.A funeral service is planned for June 22 at the Keefe Funeral Home at 5 Chestnut St., Arlington, beginning at 10 a.m. A burial service will follow at approximately 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1340 Broadway, Somerville. Schipani’s fellow soldier and friend from Company K, Cliff Benoit, of Cambridge, will attend the services. Benoit was a prisoner at Camp 5 with members of Schipani’s unit. He was rescued after being held at the camp for two years. In all, half of the more than 3,500 soldiers held at Camp 5 were killed, the DPAA said.

The remains of a Somerville soldier who died during the Korean War in 1951 were flown to Boston's Logan International Airport on Saturday afternoon.

The previously unidentified remains of Sgt. George R. Schipani were then taken to Keefe Funeral Home in Arlington with a police escort.


Schipani had been buried for more than 30 years in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu alongside other fallen soldiers, the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said.

In January, Schipani's remains were identified, according to the DPAAA

In 1950, Schipani was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division when his unit took part in the Battle of Unsan, North Korea, the DPAA said.

Early in the morning of Nov. 2, 1950, Schipani's battalion was struck by enemy units of the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces, the DPAA said.

After several days of intense fighting, survivors escaped to friendly lines. Schipani was reported missing in action as of Nov. 2, 1950, the DPAA said.

At the end of the war, returning American prisoners stated that Schipani had been captured and marched to Pyoktong, Prisoner of War Camp 5, and died in February or March 1951, the DPAA said.

The U.S. Army was able to recover the remains of American soldiers from Korea in 1954.

A funeral service is planned for June 22 at the Keefe Funeral Home at 5 Chestnut St., Arlington, beginning at 10 a.m. A burial service will follow at approximately 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 1340 Broadway, Somerville.

Schipani’s fellow soldier and friend from Company K, Cliff Benoit, of Cambridge, will attend the services. Benoit was a prisoner at Camp 5 with members of Schipani’s unit. He was rescued after being held at the camp for two years.

In all, half of the more than 3,500 soldiers held at Camp 5 were killed, the DPAA said.