According to local TV stations WKRG and WALA, one American hero is finally set to return home to Mobile nearly 70 years after fighting his last battle.
Master Sergeant James Gerald Cates was reportedly listed as MIA while fighting in North Korea on December 3, 1950, in the Chosin Reservoir. He was then presumed dead on December 31, 1953.
Cates reportedly joined the U.S. Army in 1940. The World War II and Korean War veteran was known to his family as “Jabbo.”
For years, his remains had been interred as an “unknown soldier” at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI. Following recent advancements in technology, DNA testing identified him on May 31.
Cates was originally slated to arrive at the Mobile Municipal Airport Tuesday night at 7:30.
Unfortunately, the plane was delayed until after midnight due to hazardous weather.
The Patriot Guard, Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and others were waiting hours to escort the fallen hero’s remains to Radney Funeral Home.
However, the long delay caused the escort to have to stand down for the night.
Cates is set to be laid to rest in Chunchula on September 21. Funeral details will be announced in the coming days.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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