ICYMI: Missing POW to be Laid to Rest in Arlington Funeral Home After 65 Years

Editor's Note: This story was originally published last week. Here it is again in case you missed it.

ARLINGTON, MA — Cpl. Ronald M. Sparks, a Cambridge native, of the United States Army was reported to have died in captivity at a POW camp in Changsong, North Korea in 1951, and he will finally be brought home on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

Sparks' remains will be returned to the U.S. on Aug. 16, and a wake will be held at the DeVito Funeral Home on Aug 9 p.m. His remains are set to arrive at Logan Airport and be escorted past his childhood home in Cambridge and continue on to the DeVito Funeral Home.

The procession of Sparks' remains is set to enter Arlington at around 2 p.m. on Aug. 16. A wake will be held on Aug. 18 at the DeVito Funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Graveside services will be conducted on Aug. 19 at Woodlawn Cemetery.

All residents are encouraged to line Massachusetts Avenue on Aug. 16 to welcome home and pay respects to a fallen hero.

Below is Sparks' obituary, courtesy of the DeVito Funeral Home :

Corporal Ronald M. Sparks, United States Army, from Cambridge, MA, became Missing in Action (MIA) while his unit (Co. D, 1st Bn, 38th Infantry Regt, 2nd Infantry Div.) was clearing a road block held by the opposing forces in the vicinity of Hoengsong, R.O.K. (Republic of Korea) on 12 February 1951. A repatriated American Prisoner of War (POW) reported that PFC SPARKS died while in captivity at POW Camp 1, Changsong, Democratic People's Republic of North Korea on 26 May 1951.

Beloved son of the late Herbert and Betty Sparks of Cambridge. Brother of Lawrence Sparks of Cambridge, Irene Sparks of Somerville and the late Warren, William, Marion and Clifford Sparks. Also survived by many other relatives and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the DeVito Funeral Home, located at 1145 Massachusetts Avenue ARLINGTON, MA on Thursday, August 18th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM for his wake. On Friday, August 19th Corporal Sparks will be laid to rest with his parents and little brother Clifford in Woodlawn Cemetery, 302 Elm Street, Everett, MA at 11:00 AM with Full Military Honors; all are welcome to attend. The family will gather at 9:30 AM for small prayer before the interment. Corporal Sparks was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device (for valor) prior to becoming an MIA Soldier in August 1950, and was also a Purple Heart Medal recipient.

A glimpse at the journey in bringing him home can be found at https://vineyardgazette.com/ne... send an online condolence or for directions visit, please visit devitofuneralhomes.com

Photo Credit: DeVito Funeral Home