Pompano Beach Native Corporal Joshua Corruth Finally Accounted For
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — For more than seven decades, his name lived in uncertainty. Today, it stands in honor.
Corporal Joshua “Josh” Corruth, a native of Pompano Beach, has been officially identified after being listed as Missing in Action during the Korean War—bringing closure to a story that began in sacrifice and now ends in remembrance.
A LIFE ROOTED IN FLORIDA
Joshua Corruth was born February 14, 1930, in Bradford County (Starke), Florida, to James “Jimmy” Corruth and Mariah Lee Corruth.
He was the oldest child and the only son among four siblings.
Known affectionately as “Josh,” he carried the hopes of his family and community long before he wore a uniform.
A YOUNG MAN WHO STEPPED FORWARD
In 1947, at just 17 years old, Josh volunteered for the U.S. Army alongside other young men from the Pompano area answering a call to serve that would ultimately define his legacy.
Three years later, war would come.
As global tensions escalated, the United States entered the Korean conflict under the leadership of Douglas MacArthur, forming the backbone of the United Nations Command to defend South Korea.
THE DAY HE WAS LOST
Corporal Corruth served with K Company, 3rd Battalion in the 24th Infantry Regiment 25th Infantry Division.
On October 8, 1950, during a motorized patrol near Kwang-ju, South Korea, his unit was ambushed by North Korean forces.
Under heavy fire the patrol was forced to retreat, Eight soldiers were unaccounted for and Joshua Corruth was among them.
He was never listed as a prisoner of war.
On December 31, 1952, the U.S. Army issued a presumptive finding of death.
THE LONG ROAD HOME
In 1953, unidentified remains were recovered near a temple in Tae Jung-ri, South Korea.
Those remains were moved through multiple identification efforts in Japan and were eventually laid to rest as “Unknown” at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
For decades, the identity remained unresolved.
IDENTIFIED AT LAST
In December 2018, as part of renewed recovery efforts, those remains were reexamined.
Through advanced forensic science and DNA testing, the
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency confirmed The remains belonged to Corporal Joshua Corruth.
On March 13, 2025, more than 75 years after he was lost, Josh was finally accounted for.
A NAME HONORED
Corporal Corruth’s name has long stood among the honored which are Engraved on the Courts of the Missing in Honolulu and inscribed on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Now, his story is no longer one of absence—but of return.
THE HOMECOMING
After more than seven decades, Josh is coming home to South Florida.
FUNERAL SERVICE
Thursday, April 23, 2026 – 10:00 AM
James C. Boyd Funeral Home, Inc.
INTERMENT (Full Military Honors)
Thursday, April 23, 2026 – 1:00 PM
South Florida National Cemetery
A COMMUNITY CALLED TO REMEMBER
This is more than a funeral. This is a homecoming.
Family, veterans, community leaders, and residents are invited to stand in witness as a soldier once lost is finally laid to rest with the honor he earned.
THE GAZETTE REFLECTION
At the Westside Gazette, we often say we are “the keepers and recorders of our history.”
This is that history.
A young Black man from Pompano Beach, Florida, Stepped forward at 17, Served his country in a segregated military, Gave his life in a distant land And waited 75 years to come home.
Now, we say his name—not in absence, but in truth:
Corporal Joshua Corruth. Not missing. Not forgotten. Finally home.
