Local soldier gets hero's burial 60 years later

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- As Veterans Day approaches next week, one local soldier is finally being laid to rest. After more than 60 years, U.S. Army Sergeant Lee Henderson Manning's remains have been identified, and he was given full military honors at his funeral after serving and dying in the Korean War.

Manning's family never thought the day would come.

"I am overwhelmed and overjoyed. I had no idea that they would ever, ever find my brother," Carrie Elam, Manning's eldest sister.

"It is just amazing that he is here to go in the ground because we didn't know where he was," said sister Elena Parker.

Manning was 20 years old when he enlisted in the Army and was sent to the Korean War as a trained medic.

On December 1, 1950, he was captured by enemy forces. Six months later he died from poor nutrition and frigid temperatures.

"From time to time the Army would send us correspondence stating that they were looking, but we had no hope after say about 20 years," said Elam.

It took 63 years. Manning was identified through a DNA analysis.

"When they called and said they had parts -- oh my God, that was amazing. Now we could put him to rest," said Parker.

Unlike most war veterans, Manning wasn't buried in a national cemetery. He was laid to rest here Inglewood Park. His siblings wanted to make sure he was a close as possible to the love of his life and inspiration: His mother.

"He was her favorite person in the whole world. She had other children but we knew, because my brother was just absolutely, unequivocally good to her," said Elam.

Manning returned to his family a decorated soldier and received a full military funeral, including a 21-gun salute and "Taps" -- a true American hero's burial.