GA Native Son, Korean War Vet's Remains Finally Return Home

HALL COUNTY, GA – Thursday, August 9, 2018, will forever be a special day for north Georgia, and the deputies of Hall County Sheriff’s Office who said they were proud to be just a small part of it.

One of the region’s native sons, Army Cpl. Terrell J. Fuller, 20, of Toccoa, returned home for burial in his hometown. That process began Thursday when he arrived at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and was escorted to Stephens County.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office had the privilege and honor of accompanying that escort through Hall County.

Cpl. Fuller was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and supported Republic of Korea Army attacks against units of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces during the Korean War. He was reported missing in action on February 12, 1951.

When the war was over, a soldier from the same company reported that he had been held prisoner with Cpl. Fuller but didn’t know Fuller’s status, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, or DPAA.

In 1990, North Korea returned five boxes of remains, believed to be unaccounted-for U.S. service members from the war. After years of analysis on the remains, on April 13 of this year DPAA announced that Cpl. Terrell had been accounted for and would be returned to his family.

News of the homecoming has special significance for Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch. His own father served in the Korean War and returned home safely.

“I can’t imagine what it was like for Cpl. Fuller’s family to continue on in life without full closure. I’m fortunate that my father made it home,” Sheriff Couch said. “Thursday is a day to honor the service of this decorated U.S. war hero. It’s a day to reflect on his legacy and give thanks for his return to his family and community.”

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Photos courtesy Hall County Sheriff's Office