Cpl. Daniel Francis Kelly of Pittsburgh was killed in action in the Korean War. His surviving family will bury his remains, which are finally being returned, this week.

MCCANDLESS TWP, Allegheny County — A Pittsburgh native who died fighting for his country in North Korea more than 66 years ago is finally being laid to rest.

Cpl. Daniel Francis Kelly died on March 31, 1951, at age 18 as a prisoner of war in the People's Republic of North Korea, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

His remains, recovered in 2002, were positively identified earlier this year. They were safely flown by airplane and escorted by an Army honor guard from Hawaii to Pittsburgh on Monday.

His surviving nieces and nephews, some of whom live in Butler County, will have visitation and bury his remains with military honors this week.

Daniel F. Kelly was the youngest of nine brothers, all of whom served in the military and seven of whom were on active duty at the same time during World War II.

Kelly was reported missing in November of 1950 during the Battle of the Chongchon River in North Korea. His fate was a mystery until 1953, when a soldier who was returned in a prisoner exchange, told military officials that Kelly had died in March of 1951 in “Death Valley,” an infamous prisoner of war camp.

His remains were recovered in 2002 by a joint effort of U.S. and Korean forces in Unsan County, North Pyongan Province, according to the DPAA.

The family will receive friends, veterans and members of the community from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Sperling Funeral Home, 700 Blazier Drive, McCandless Township.

They welcome any veterans or families with a connection to the Korean War to attend the visitation.

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.