A New Jersey soldier killed in the Korean War finally receives a proper military burial

A New Jersey soldier who died in the Korean War 74 years ago received a military burial Friday at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown.

A large escort of over 200 people, including members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, traveled from the Maxwell Funeral Home in Little Egg Harbor to attend the funeral.

US soldier Anthony John Lopa of North Arlington was killed on August 31, 1950, after being captured just weeks into his deployment. He was only 17 years old and his body was buried with five other soldiers.

Friday’s service included the playing of “Taps,” a volley of three rifles, and the presentation of an American flag to his family.

Kelly Domitrowsky, Lopa’s niece and one of his last remaining blood relatives, was first contacted about 25 years ago by the Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to provide a DNA sample that could be used to find a match to her uncle. It was only last year that she learned his body had been identified.

“This was probably the most incredible experience of my life,” said Domitrowsky, thanking the community members who attended the funeral for their “overwhelming” support. “I can honestly tell you that I was able to honor this man who gave everything. The reactions today show that no one has forgotten him.”

Domitrovsky’s mother had told her before her death that she wanted her brother’s legacy to be remembered.

“She said whatever you do, don’t forget him,” Domitrovsky said. “I always carry that with me, even though I never had the chance to meet him. I believed that would happen.”

Lopa’s remains were returned to Domitrovsky on June 25, along with those of her husband and daughter, at Philadelphia International Airport. Previously, his body was kept in Hawaii after being transferred to the United States from a burial site in South Korea in 2018.