A 93-year-old San Francisco woman's brother, a World War II airman missing for 80 years, is finally coming home. Sergeant Yuen Hop's remains have been identified thanks to DNA technology and a 2013 match of information on three captured airmen at a cemetery in Germany. His homecoming is a poignant reminder of the enduring hope and the tireless efforts to reunite families separated by war.
A 93-year-old San Francisco woman is overcome with emotion after the remains of her brother, a World War II airman declared missing in action, are brought home to the Bay Area. Margery Wong remembers 1944 vividly, the year she received the devastating news that her then 20-year-old brother, Sergeant Yuen Hop, was missing in action. His plane had been shot down during a mission in Germany, leaving the family with little information and enduring uncertainty for decades.
Margery, along with her siblings, were one of the few Chinese families in Sebastopol at the time, and they clung to the precious moments they shared together as they waited for news of Yuen Hop.Attempts to locate him spanned across years, involving the help of strangers, the Army, and various organizations. However, it wasn't until June 2024 that their long wait for answers finally ended with a single phone call. The news was both shocking and overwhelming for Margery and her husband, Phil. DNA technology and a 2013 match of information on three captured airmen at a cemetery in Germany led to the identification of Sgt. Yuen Hop.His flag-draped casket arrived at San Francisco International Airport on Friday, January 31, 2025. The homecoming was a deeply moving experience, especially as it coincided with Chinese New Year. The sight of dozens of servicemen and passengers on the plane looking out the windows, witnessing the arrival, filled Margery with a sense of closure and gratitude. This remarkable event serves as a reminder to those still searching for missing loved ones: never give up hope. Sgt. Yuen Hop will be laid to rest with full honors at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno on Friday, February 7
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