Korean War Vet Finally Laid to Rest 72 Years After Being Killed
“Vietnam veteran Felix Padilla was named for his cousin Felix, who he never met,” according to Inside Edition’s Facebook page.
This left Felix with a special connection to U.S. Army Private Felix Martinez Yanez, the Korean War veteran who was killed in action in July of 1950, but was never brought home — until now.
Initially, Yanez’ remains could not be recovered. Once they were recovered, they couldn’t be identified. Inside Edition reports “he was buried as an ‘Unknown’ at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea before being transferred to the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.”
This past July, the Defense POW / MIA Accounting agency used advanced DNA testing and dental records to finally identify this hero and reunite his remains with his Arizona family.
Arizona Family News reports “Family first: now and always. That’s how Felix Padilla has always lived his life. But there’s been somebody missing.”
“The picture I have of my cousin my mom gave me. I always kept it,” Padilla said.
The 19-year-old soldier died serving his country but it’s taken 72 years to bring his remains to rest all the way home. Padilla saw the photo of his cousin on Arizona Family News and he became deeply emotional about finally giving this young soldier a place to be at peace.
“His remains have been flown all over the world, but now, he’ll properly be laid to rest at home at the South Lawn Cemetery in Tucson.” Padilla learned from his cousin’s bio that he received many awards for his service, including the Purple Heart.
The two Felix’s are the only members of their family to have served in the military, making this bond very special. Padilla feels his cousin was watching out for him and protecting him during his time of service in Vietnam.
“We used to say with the soldiers: boots on the ground, stand tall, stand straight, never give up. And you know, he never gave up,” Padilla said.
