Photos: Funeral Mass for Korean War Veteran
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez enlisted in the army in 1949 when he was 18 years old. At 19, he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018. He was laid to rest today following a mass at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson.
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez
Members of the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard roll the casket for Korean War veteran Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez towards St. Augustine Cathedral for a mass on March 19, 2020. Ramirez was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1949. At 19 years old he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018.
Arthur Contreras Ramirez
U.S. Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez of Tucson, who fought at the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War.
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez
Carol Jean Migliore bows her head during a mass for Korean War veteran Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez at St. Augustine Cathedral on March 19, 2020. Ramirez was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1949. At 19 years old he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018.
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez
Family members and friends walk past members of the American Legion Post 59 legion riders into St. Augustine Cathedral for a mass for Korean War veteran Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez on March 19, 2020. Ramirez was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1949. At 19 years old he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018.
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez
A member of the Fort Huachuca Select Honor Guard salutes the casket for Korean War veteran Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez before it is rolled into St. Augustine Cathedral for a mass on March 19, 2020. Ramirez was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1949. At 19 years old he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018.
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez
Patricia Ramirez-Bielawski, seated, and others practice socal distancing during a mass for Korean War veteran Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez at St. Augustine Cathedral on March 19, 2020. Ramirez was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1949. At 19 years old he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018.
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez
An army uniform, one that Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez would have worn, is displayed during a mass for the Korean War veteran at St. Augustine Cathedral on March 19, 2020. Ramirez was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1949. At 19 years old he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018.
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez
Armando Rubal Caba reads a passage during a mass for Korean War veteran Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez at St. Augustine Cathedral on March 19, 2020. Ramirez was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1949. At 19 years old he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018.
Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez
An Amercian flag is placed back on the casket after a mass for Korean War veteran Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez at St. Augustine Cathedral on March 19, 2020. Ramirez was 18 years old when he enlisted in 1949. At 19 years old he went missing in action. Ramirez was identified in 2019 after North Korea returned the remains of soldiers to the U.S. in 2018.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
After nearly 70 years listed as missing in action, Korean War veteran Army Cpl. Arthur Contreras Ramirez’s remains were laid to rest before fa…