GRAPEVINE (AP) - The remains of a Korean War veteran from East Texas have been returned to his family more than 60 years after he was declared missing in action.

Relatives of Sgt. 1st Class Benny Rogers were at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Thursday to welcome a Honolulu flight. The casket, draped with a U.S. flag, was solemnly lowered from a commercial jet’s cargo hold and placed in a hearse.

His niece, Ruth Davis, says the family is happy to have “Benny back.”

Relatives last heard from Rogers days before the 1950 Battle of Unsan.

Military officials in March identified Rogers, using DNA, from several sets of remains discovered more than a decade ago.

Burial is planned Saturday near Athens, about 70 miles southeast of Dallas.

Rogers was promoted from corporal posthumously.

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