PORT JERVIS – After being listed as missing in action for 65 years,
PFC William Giovanniello came home to Port Jervis.
Giovanniello was killed in action in the Korean War on April 25, 1951, but until now, was believed missing in action. The remains of “unknown X-1219” had been interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu since his death, but DNA was now able to determine his identity.
On Saturday, a motorcade of dozens of motorcyclists – veterans and police, as well as fire trucks and police cars from across the greater region, escorted his remains back to his hometown where dozens lined the streets to welcome home their hero.
Vietnam Veterans of America local chapter President George Savastides stood with other veterans to pay their respects.
“Could you imagine waiting 65 years for someone in your family to come home?” he said.
Savastides believes “without a doubt” that there were prisoners of war held all these years in Korea.
“It’s fortunate the way everything was now, the DNA, or they could find stuff – the collarbone, but 65 years later is not something you want to remember,” he said.
Visitation for PFC Giovanniello will be held on Wednesday, November 9 from 2-6 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home in Port Jervis. Private funeral services will be held for family members on Thursday. Internment services will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, November 10 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Port Jervis. He will be laid to rest near his brother, Isidore’s gravesite.
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