Family of Corporal Waymon Slaten finds closure after 70 years

The death of a loved one is always hard to accept, but when the family is left to mourn without a body, it adds to the heartbreak.

The family of Corporal (Cpl.)Waymon Slaten now has closure after Slaten, who was, until recently, on the list of  7,000 missing and unidentified soldiers, returned home to Arab, Alabama. This homecoming was possible because of a recent DNA match provided by the family. His remains were identified on August 14, 2024.

Cpl. Slaten was born on Dec. 15, 1931, and served in the Korean War, enlisting only a few days after his 18th birthday. According to his family, he was killed in action in South Korea in 1951. He was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. The Army was unable to identify the body at the time of his death, so he was buried in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Cpl. Waymon Slaten

WHNT News 19 interviewed American Legion Post 114 Spokesperson Bertram Mau. Mau stated, “As we find them, you know, we bring them home and give them the honor that is their due.” Mau continued, “It is quite an honor to be able to pay that last respect to our fallen brothers and sisters.”

Mau was part of the honor guard that welcomed Slaten home. He is a retired master sergeant who served 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force.

Slaten’s family members told Mau that for the past few months, they felt as if they had been in a whirlwind, but now, with Slaten’s return, they finally have closure.

Cpl. Slaten was the son of John William Slaten and Nollie M. Hornsby Slaten. He will be laid to rest at Gilliam Springs Baptist Church Cemetery on January 13, 2025.

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