Local News

Korean War Veteran Returns Home Through Route 48

Mon, 10 May 2021 12:49:44 CDT
This evening, a hero of the Korean War is coming home, 70 years after he was killed in action. Initially, the body of Corporal Asa Bud Vance of Decatur was going to travel along I-72 through Springfield on the way to the Soy City Monday evening, but some people decided that interstate overpass greeters just wouldn’t be a fitting tribute. The jounrey home for Corporal Vance will be a more personal route, on Route 48 through Montgomery and Christian County and residents are asked to join in the farewell. The body of Army Cpl. Asa E. (Bud) Vance will be passing through Litchfield, Raymond, and Harvel, Morrisonville, Palmer and Taylorville on his way back home to Decatur after 70 years missing in action. The Patriot Guard and the Illinois State Police will gather at the t Mr. Fuel Travel Station on Corvette Drive in Litchfield between 4:45 and 5 p.m., then get back on Interstate 55 and exit at Raymond. The procession is expected to pass on Route 48 through Raymond at about 5:30 p.m. Among the gathering spots are WEST INN/TOSI DINER/IMPLEMENT/AUCTION. Harvel at 5:35 p.m. Suggested gathering spots include MIDWAY B&G / BROWN INSURANCE / BERGSCHNEIDER TRUCKING. Morrisonville at 5:45. Gathering spots include S&B TOBACCO / LOUIS MARSCH / BAREFOOT ANGEL / LOT ACROSS FROM OTHER BAR Palmer at 5:50. Gathering spots include BETHARD TRUCKING / COPELAND TRUCKING / STONEYS BIKER BARN. Taylorville 6:00 p.m. Gathering spots include Rt 48 & LINCOLN TRAIL / RT 48 & CTY1 (1250E). Stonington at 6:10 p.m. Gathering spots include FARMER SUPPLY / CHURCH PARKING LOT. Blue Mound at 6:20 p.m. Gathering spots include ANYWHERE DOWN MAIN STREET FOR PARKING. Then Boody at 6:25 p.m. ANYWHERE DOWN RT 48 FOR PARKING

“It is suggested to park in large parking lots, be outside of your vehicle standing when the procession moves through,” according to SFC Craig M. Moore of the Illinois Army National Guard. “Please be silent and place your hand over your heart as the procession passes. If you are in uniform, please render a salute. If you have American flags, please bring them. Show the family your support, and let’s welcome home Cpl. Vance.

It is suggested to park in large parking lots, be outside of your vehicle standing when the procession moves through. Please be silent and place your hand over your heart as the procession passes. If you
are in uniform, please render a salute. If you have American flags, please bring them. Show the family your support and let’s welcome home Cpl Vance. Be safe when standing on the roadside. The
procession will down slow through each town to allow everyone to observe Cpl Vance's procession.”

Serving in Korea, Vance was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division when he was reported missing on Dec. 2, 1950, following an engagement with the enemy as his unit withdrew from Sinhung-ni in North Korea. He was not identified among remains returned to the U.S. immediately following the war, and was presumed dead on Dec. 31, 1953.

His body remained missing for nearly 70 years until it was identified in September 2019 after the North Korean government finally returned 55 boxes of war dead remains to U.S. custody following a 2018 meeting between the leaders of the two countries. Analysts eventually identified Vance among the remains.

He has been awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and Republic of Korea War Service Medal.