Remains of Korean War MIA from Toccoa Returning Home Next Week

Toccoa native Army Cpl. Terrell J. Fuller will soon be home for good.

“He will be flying into Atlanta on August 9th, Fuller’s great-niece, Amy Hix, told WNEG News Tuesday. “That’s when the Patriot Guard and roadside welcome will take place. Then, on August 10th is the visitation at the funeral home. That will be from 4p to 7p at Acree-Davis. And the private burial ceremony will take place on August 11th at 11a.m.”

Fuller will be laid to rest on his 88th birthday in Stephens Memorial Gardens.

Corporal Fuller was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

He was listed as Missing in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on February 12, 1951.  He was presumed dead on February 18, 1954.

Through the work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, the remains of Cpl. Terrell J. Fuller were accounted for this year and his family notified.

Plans have been in the works for weeks to welcome Corporal Fuller home. Hix says there has been a great outpouring from the Toccoa-Stephens County community.

“I think everybody in Toccoa has offered some kind of help,” she said.

An open meeting was held in June for anyone wanting to be a part of the welcome home celebration for Fuller.

Fuller was the brother of Hix’s maternal grandfather.

She says the notice that her great-uncle’s remains were found and identified was a shock, but also ended years of wondering for the family.

“It’s closure. 67 years is a long time to not know where your family member is,” she said.

Corporal Fuller was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

His name is permanently inscribed in the “Courts of the Missing” at the Honolulu Memorial where the Department of Defense has placed a rosette, indicating his remains have been found.