Korean War Veteran and La Feria Native Accounted For After 69 Years of MIA Status

by Victor Moreno/LFN

The Storms Family formerly of La Feria, who now reside in Pflugerville, the Coastal Bend area, and Oklahoma received some joyous yet emotional news recently when they received word that after 69 years of MIA status in North Korea the remains of their family patriarch Major Harvey H. Storms had been identified and were being returned home.

Major Harvey H. Storms was a native of La Feria when he served in the US Army and before he was relocated to Japan in the late 1940’s.

“He also served in World War II, under General Patton in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. They lived in Japan for 1 1/2 years when he was stationed there around 1948-49,” stated Melissa Cook, granddaughter of Major Storms, via email.

Major Storms, his wife (pregnant with their future fourth child) and three sons returned to Texas before he re-enlisted to serve in the Korean War. It was in January of 1951 that the Storms family received the heart wrenching news that their husband and father was MIA in North Korea.

“My dad and his brothers grew up in La Feria and had strong ties there all these years. Three of them graduated from La Feria High School. My parents attend the high school reunions every year.”

The years passed and the Storms family eventually relocated to the Coastal Bend area and Oklahoma. In July of 2019 they received the news that would bring much needed closure.

“Their dad, my grandfather, had been MIA at Chosin Reservoir, North Korea since Dec 1, 1950. Three weeks ago my dad got a call letting him know his dad’s remains had been identified and matched to his DNA sample. At the urging of President Trump, North Korea sent over 55 boxes in August 2018. There are remains of US, Chinese and South Korean soldiers in those boxes, among them, my grandfather,” Melissa recounts.

Via a Facebook post Melissa also shared her grandfather’s accolades, “For his leadership and valor, Major Storms was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. And most recently, Ambassador for Peace medal from the Patriots and Veterans Affairs Republic of Korea.”

Major Harvey Harold Storms is now on United States soil and awaits burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia next year.

Memorial services will be held at First Baptist Church on Sturday, November 2, 2019 at 2pm in Pflugerville, Texas.

One Comment