Cambridge Welcomes Home Missing Veteran 65 Years Later

Cambridge honored missing hometown veteran CPL Ronald M. Sparks 65 years later, after the US Army positively identified his remains through a 100% DNA match. Sparks, a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient died at age 20 in a prisoner of war camp in North Korea in 1951. 

Sparks' father's dying wish was for his son to come home to Cambridge and that wish came true today. The City's Veterans' Services Department and Director Neil MacInnes Barker worked very closely with the family to plan a special welcome home event and invited the Cambridge community to join us in greeting the motorcade that escorted Sparks' remains from Logan Airport, by his former residence on River Street, and on to City Hall for a special ceremony. 

While awaiting the motorcade, Mayor E. Denise Simmons hosted a reception for the Sparks family, Korean War era veteran and Sparks' childhood friend Moses Moore, Rev. Kim, Sonjun Ohm, Consulate General, Republic of South Korea, and accompanying members of a Korean delegation. CPL Sparks nephew, Bob, and his siblings, William, Tom, and Joanne represented the family and accepted the plaque and resolutions presented to Sparks.  Irene, the younger sister of CPL Sparks accompanied the motorcade escorting Sparks home to Cambridge.

We thank all the City employees and the Cambridge community who came to join us in commemorating this very special occasion.

To see more photos from this event, visit this posting on the City's Facebook Page: http://camb.ma/2aZF0sN.