Korean War soldier arrives in Brazil

BRAZIL, Ind. (WTHI) - A Brazil, Ind. soldier who died during the Korean War was brought home in procession Tuesday.

Army Cpl. Robert Archer died while a prisoner of war, according to newspaper reports from the 1950s. Army officials recently told members of Cpl. Archer’s family that they identified his remains by matching them with blood samples from other family members.

Tuesday morning, Cpl. Archer’s flag-draped casket arrived at Indianapolis International Airport and was driven to Brazil, accompanied by a police escort and members of the Patriot Guard. 

“It’s pretty impressive to see all the cars on the eastbound direction pulling off the road and acknowledging this soldier with flags on the road,” said Andy Shirley, Assistant State Captain of the Indiana Patriot Guard.

As the procession arrived in Brazil, it was met by military personnel, community members carrying flags and a fire truck holding a large American flag over National Avenue.

Cpl. Archer’s remains were taken to French Funeral home, where a visitation is scheduled on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.  A funeral service is also scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, with burial to follow at Summit Lawn Cemetery.

Organizers are also asking for volunteers to help place flags along the funeral procession route. Those volunteers are asked to meet at French Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Friday.