About two dozen people gathered Wednesday morning, May 20, on the FM 2025 overpass near Love’s and QT in Cleveland to honor the return home of U.S. Army Cpl. Orestus Marion Stewart, a Korean War hero who was missing in action for more than 75 years.
Veterans, patriots, and local residents waved American flags as the procession escorting Stewart passed beneath them at approximately 9:30 a.m., offering a solemn welcome home to the fallen soldier.
Michael Welch, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1839 in Cleveland, said the event was about paying tribute to a soldier whose sacrifice had not been forgotten despite the passage of time.
“To show respect and honor to a soldier who was killed in action and laid there for four years before they recovered him and has stayed unknown until recently,” Welch said.
Stewart, who entered the Army from Texas, served with the Medical Company, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. He was killed in action on Aug. 11, 1950, near Pohang, South Korea, while defending Yonil Airfield from enemy attack.
Although his remains were recovered in 1954, they could not be identified at the time. Welch explained that advances in DNA technology and genealogy research eventually helped investigators identify Stewart decades later.
“When he was born, DNA results and tests didn’t exist like they do today,” Welch said. “Over time, with Ancestry.com, 23andMe, other people joining the military, they were able to cross-reference.”
Welch noted that Stewart had no children and that both of his parents are deceased, making the identification process especially difficult.
“It’s a huge task to sit there and go, he didn’t have any kids, his parents are gone. How do you cross-reference DNA?” Welch said.
Still, Welch said it was important for the Cleveland community and future generations to recognize Stewart’s sacrifice.
“We just wanted to show the community that he is not forgotten,” Welch said. “There are still unknown soldiers.”
He added, “We have to teach the next generation about the price that has been paid for their freedoms.”
Jack Weighat, another local veteran who also attended the event, echoed those sentiments.
“It is important to me because it just goes to show you no matter how long it’s been, we never forget and we never leave a man behind,” Weighat said.
Representatives from the VFW are expected to attend Stewart’s funeral Saturday. Welch said Stewart has surviving great-nieces and great-nephews who are expected to attend the services.
Funeral services for Stewart will be held Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Magnolia Springs. Interment will follow at Springhill Cemetery with full military honors under the direction of Coleman’s Mortuary in Jasper.
Thank you to all that showed up