Story was only 18 years old when he enlisted in the army in 1948, following in the footsteps of his father and two brothers who had served in World War II. He was serving as a machine gunner with the 9th Infantry Regiment in 1950 when his unit was caught in a surprise attack by North Korean troops. Story was wounded in the battle but stayed behind to cover the retreat of his fellow soldiers despite his injuries. It was the last time anyone saw him alive.
The young soldier’s disappearance was a mystery for more than seven decades. His family held out hope that he would one day return home, even as they accepted that it was unlikely. Over the years, Story became something of a legend in his hometown of Lumpkin, Georgia. The local American Legion post was renamed in his honor, and a monument was erected in the cemetery where his mother is buried.
The mystery was finally solved thanks to advances in forensic science. In October 1950, the remains of an American soldier were found near a battle site in the Korean War that could not be positively identified. In 2019, the US military made a renewed effort to identify the remains of soldiers who had been ‘unaccounted for’ in past conflicts and it was then that they stumbled upon the remains of an unknown soldier found in Korea in 1950.
The laboratory made a match using DNA samples obtained from Story’s niece and late mother. When they found a genetic match, the site where the remains were found was re-examined, and specialists discovered artifacts that were consistent with Story’s unit and death. The team says ongoing efforts aim to reunite as many families as possible with the remains of their loved ones.
As President Biden noted in his statement, more than 7,500 US service members remain missing from the Korean War, and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency continues to work tirelessly to identify and bring home their remains. The successful identification of Luther Story’s remains is a testament to the enduring commitment of our armed forces to bring closure to the families of those who have given their lives in service to their country.
The return of Luther Story’s remains also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by all those who have served in the US military, from the Revolutionary War to the present day. As we gather together each Memorial Day to honor those who have fallen in service to our country, it is important that we remember not just their heroism and sacrifice, but also the families they leave behind. Overall, this is a moving moment for one soldier and his family, but it speaks to the sacrifices that so many have made and the diligence of those who continue to work to uphold their memory.
