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Final homecoming for Korean War veteran from WNY at Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Posted at 1:24 PM, Oct 17, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-17 13:24:07-04

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — The remains of a local veteran have finally returned home.

Sergeant Gerald Raeymacker was killed while fighting in the Korean War. He was a native of Dunkirk.

His remains arrived at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Thursday morning.

Sergeant Raeymacker was born on December 6, 1929. He enlisted in the Army in August of 1948. Sgt. Raeymacker was a member of Battery B, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reported missing in action on his birthday following an attack by enemy forces in North Korea.

North Korea recently turned over 55 boxes to the United States government. The boxes contained the remains of American service members who fought in the Korean War. Sgt. Raeymacker's remains were identified this past August.

He will be laid to rest in Dunkirk on Saturday.