Body of Michigan soldier captured in Korean War recovered; his memory, family honored

He left home at 17 years old to serve our country and never returned home. On this Memorial Day weekend, George Grifford is being remembered at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.

It was 1950 when Grifford set off for Korea to fight a war. Within a year, he was captured and was never heard from again.

Gifford's neighbor Billy Ryan was deployed with him. He returned home and told Gifford's family that their loved one was captured and tortured, but somehow managed to escape.

But sadly - he was captured again.

The family went decades without ever really knowing what happened to Gifford, and, without his remains, they were unable to have a proper burial.

But now, 50 years later, a miracle has happened. The Army contacted Grifford's family to say they recovered his remains.

This Memorial Day weekend he's being honored at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial for making the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The Grifford family is being presented with nine medals that George earned during his time in the Army, including the Purple Heart.