POW/MIA honored at NAS Norfolk ceremony

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Naval Station Norfolk held a wreath laying ceremony Friday in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Dozens gathered to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action.

David Jones' grandfather Thurmon Maynard enlisted in to the army at a young age. He was captured along with other members of his platoon on his very first attack behind enemy lines.

"He spent the next three years in a Korean war POW camp. He escaped for the first time in 1953," Jones said.

Maynard would escape only to be captured again trying to rescue the other members of his platoon. Back home, family members were told that he was killed and even held a funeral. Maynard and five other would return years later to a heroes welcome.

"Upon his return to Tennessee in 1956 he received a key to the city and other gifts," Jones said. "And he was discharged out of the military after his return from a San Diego naval hospital and returned home weighing only 98 pounds."

Jones never met his grandfather. He died at an early age from possible complications of being a POW, but his actions inspired Jones to enlist.

"We can give the information and tell the stories that were truly moving to me as a child so that we truly never forget the POW's and the MIA's," Jones said.