After a long journey stretching over 53 years, Corporal Clark E Worline started his journey home on Tuesday with arrival at the Dayton International Airport. The procession of Corporal Worline was led by a number of squad cars and motorcycles from the Patriot Guard Riders and Legion Riders as it traveled across Putnam County on State Route 224 with a hero’s welcome early Tuesday evening. Viewing was on Thursday Evening at Love-Heitmeyer funeral home Jackson Twp. Friday mourners were greeted to a flag salute by representatives of Patriot Guard Riders and a number of VFW and American Legion posts at the entrance of the funeral home.
Corporal Worline’s second cousin Tim Worline talked about how Clark had a twin brother, Carl, who he might have spent time fishing and swimming with in the Auglaize River just under the bridge that the procession would travel to on their way to the gravesite. However, due to circumstances and times, these memories were never made, and the opportunity to do so was lost. Tim also spoke that we should have our faith lead us to a permanent home.
CSM Justin Tumlinson relived Korean War History of how Corporal Worline encountered the coldest temperatures (-40 deg F) on record in Korea. Corporal Worline was captured and reported missing on Nov 16 1950. He would have been marched from Sinjang to POW camp 5. Not many survived that march and it is likely that Corporal Worline did not make it to the camp alive. The US Army declared Corporal Worline dead on December 1953 after he was not recovered. There was an exchange of dead between North Korea and the United States in September and October 1954 as part of Operation Glory. The remains were transferred to Japan and then to Hawaii where they were buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. CPT Walker shared how thorough US Army is in identifying remains and it was not until recently that Corporal Worline was positively identified with dental records. Arrangements were then made to transfer the remains for care to the family.
A number of citations were presented to the family including, from the Army, his service medal and Purple Heart. Tammy Puff, representing the Ohio Governor Mike Dewine, and State Representative Roy Klopenstien presented the family with commendations from the state and a state flag. The State VFW/MIA Chairman and Department Commander Ralph Reynolds and David Root presented plaques to family from their organization. Jason Rue spoked on behalf of the American Legions. Lastly Patriot Guard Riders Kevin Miller presented the family with a plaque and a final salute. Ohio National Guard Chaplain Richard Rakay presented a religious charge to close out the Memorial. Continental American Legion Members served as pall bearers.
List of presenters:
Tim Worline
CPT Josh Walker
CSM Justin Tomlinson
Tammy Puff, representing Ohio Governor
Ohio State Representative Roy Klopenstien
State VFW/MIA Chairman/Department Commander Ralph Reynolds/ David Root
State American Legion Jason Rue
Patriot Guard Kevin Miller
Chaplain Richard RakayThose attending the Memorial were greeted by a large contingent of veterans who were there to support one of the fallen. God bless Corporal Worline for his service.
— Mike Jones, Feature Writer