Cousin works to reunite Korean War vet's remains with family
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ARVIN, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — James Powell is hoping for a homecoming 61 years in the making.
His cousin, Cpl. Charles Williams, was killed in a prisoner-of-war camp during the Korean War in 1951.
“We don’t know for sure how many days he was in the prison camp,” said Powell on Thursday. "That’s the last record I’d heard of him.”
Williams’ remains were not recovered until a few years ago. Powell said he received a call from the Army, saying they had Williams’ remains in Hawaii. Now, Powell wants to bring his cousin back to his family.
“I’d been hoping all these years, but to get him back, I’m the only one alive now to finish this out, and I’d like to do it,” Powell said.
Powell said he submitted his DNA to the Army so it could confirm the family connection.
Once that’s confirmed, he said he believes he’ll receive his cousins remains.
When that happens, Powell wants to bring Williams to the Arvin Cemetery, where Williams’ mother, brother and nephew are buried.
“Sixty years, and we’re finally getting him home,” Powell said.
His cousin, Cpl. Charles Williams, was killed in a prisoner-of-war camp during the Korean War in 1951.
“We don’t know for sure how many days he was in the prison camp,” said Powell on Thursday. "That’s the last record I’d heard of him.”
Williams’ remains were not recovered until a few years ago. Powell said he received a call from the Army, saying they had Williams’ remains in Hawaii. Now, Powell wants to bring his cousin back to his family.
“I’d been hoping all these years, but to get him back, I’m the only one alive now to finish this out, and I’d like to do it,” Powell said.
Powell said he submitted his DNA to the Army so it could confirm the family connection.
Once that’s confirmed, he said he believes he’ll receive his cousins remains.
When that happens, Powell wants to bring Williams to the Arvin Cemetery, where Williams’ mother, brother and nephew are buried.
“Sixty years, and we’re finally getting him home,” Powell said.
My name is James Riley Williams. I would just like it to be known that there is more family out there for Charles Williams. Charles Williams was my Grandpas Brother. My grandpa was James Riley williams  he served in the Korean war also. I seen this air yesterday on the news. My grandpas brother has more family alive then just this one man. He has nephews, Nieces etc.