Sergeant Charles Edwin Beaty

Today, the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs honors the service and sacrifice of Lake City native Sergeant Charles Edwin Beaty, a World War II and Korean War soldier who died in 1950 during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.

The fallen soldier was identified through extensive DNA testing by the U.S. Army. The dignified transfer of his remains was returned to Arkansas today and met with a full honor guard from the Arkansas National Guard.

Relatives of the fallen soldier attended the ceremony at the Bill and Hillary National Airport.
“We are overwhelmed. It’s something I never in my lifetime thought would happen,” said Tammy Davis, Beaty’s second cousin.

The hearse was escorted to Jonesboro by the Arkansas Patriot Guard Riders Inc.

Sergeant Beaty’s awards include the Purple Heart, the United Nations Services Medal, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders ordered the United States and Arkansas state flags to be flown at half-staff throughout the state from sunrise to sunset through Tuesday, November 19, the date of his internment

A graveside service was held at the Lake City Cemetery on Tuesday, November 19.

(Photo courtesy of @Emerson Funeral Home, Jonesboro, Arkansas)

#ArkansasVeterans #veterans #powmia

Story by Mark Woodall