Malliotakis Honors Brooklyn's Raymond Smith After His Remains Return from Korean War

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Today, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis honored the service and sacrifice of Brooklyn resident, Private First Class Raymond Smith, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.

Smith, who joined the U.S. Navy at 14 and the U.S. Army at 18, disappeared during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir on December 2, 1950, and was presumed dead. Following a July 2018 summit between then-President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea returned 55 boxes containing human remains of American service members killed during the Korean War. Raymond's remains were identified as part of this exchange, and after 71 years, he was returned to New York City.

"Private First Class Raymond Andrew Smith was 18 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice for our country during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir," said Malliotakis. "I wanted to take this time today to ensure Raymond’s memory lives on and his sacrifices will not be forgotten."

Malliotakis continued: "Currently there are more than 81,600 Americans who remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars, and other conflicts. Let this give us hope that we return them all home, and I urge the Administration, and my colleagues to work toward the return of all prisoners of war, and full accounting and the repatriation of our fallen servicemembers’ remains."

Watch Malliotakis' full remarks HERE