Korean War POW’s remains return home to Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (WHDH) - The remains of a former Korean War POW and Cambridge resident returned home Tuesday to be laid to rest, 65 years after he died.

Cpl. Ronald Sparks went missing in action in February 1951 and a returning prisoner reported that Sparks died while being held captive in a prisoner of war camp. Cpl. Sparks’ nephew Bob Sparks made it his mission to find his uncle; his father’s dying wish was to see his brother brought home. This past June, Bob Sparks received a call from the US Army’s Past Conflicts Repatriation Branch informing him that they had identified his uncle’s remains through a 100 percent DNA match.

“His body was interred in Hawaii for quite awhile until they determined through DNA testing and they positively identified him,” said Jeff Chunglo, the Arlington Director of Veterans Services.

Cpl. Sparks was a Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient.

A motorcade carrying Cpl. Sparks’ remains drove through Cambridge Tuesday after landing at Logan Airport. The procession paused in front of his former home on River Street and then stopping in front of City Hall for the playing of “Taps.”

The procession ended in Arlington, where his flag-draped casket was carried into a funeral home for services. Outside, crowds of people lined the streets to pay their respects.

“I’ve lost friends in Vietnam and I know what’s it’s lose someone and I want to let them know I care,” said Robert Powers, one of the many honoring Cpl. Sparks at the procession.

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