U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts Hosts Freedom 250 Hometown Hero Ceremony and Veteran Charity Drive

BOSTON - As part of Freedom 250Links to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. - the nationwide celebration commemorating America's 250th birthday - the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts will host a Hometown Hero ceremony recognizing Marshfield native, Corporal Alfred Lopes, Jr., who was declared missing in action in the Korean War in February 1951.

The ceremony will be held on June 16, 2026, at 3 p.m., at the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse, 2^nd Floor Jury Assembly Room in Boston.

During the event, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley will present a Hometown Hero recognition award to the family of Corporal Alfred Lopes Jr., who served with the 15^th Field Artillery Battalion, supporting infantry units of the 2^nd Infantry Division near Hoengson, Korea. After fighting their way through enemy roadblocks under heavy and continuous attack from Chinese forces, the unit reached the town of Wonju, Korea. According to members of Lopes's unit, Lopes was captured by enemy forces and seen uninjured in a POW camp. Witnesses also described Lopes as later becoming sick and dropping out of a march enroute to the Suan POW camp. While U.S. authorities have been granted access to various battlefield sites, cemeteries and POW camps, Corporal Lopes remains unaccounted for. He was presumed dead on Dec. 31, 1953.

Corporal Lopes is the recipient of the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal; Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation; United Nations Service Medal; and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Corporal Lopes is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. He was also memorialized on a monument at Marshfield Town Hall and the Korean War veterans chapter in Marshfield bears his name.

More than seven decades later, Corporal Lopes's sacrifice continues to be honored through ongoing efforts to recover and identify missing American service members.

"Freedom 250 is an opportunity to celebrate 250 years of our nation's history and reflect on the enduring ideals of freedom, courage and sacrifice that have shaped America and continue to unite us today. Corporal Alfred Lopes Jr. answered the call to serve his country during the Korean War and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. It is a privilege to honor his legacy and ensure that his service is never forgotten," said U.S. Attorney Foley. "We are also proud to support the New England Center and Home for Veterans through our charity drive - recognizing the extraordinary contributions of veterans in our communities and reaffirming our commitment to those who have served our nation."

As of 2024, approximately 7,400 American service members remain unaccounted for from the Korean War (1950 - 1953) with 5,300 believed to be in North Korea. In addition, over 36,000 American soldiers lost their lives. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Korean War Identification Project continue to recover, identify and repatriate remains from North Korea.

Freedom 250 is a national initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States and encouraging communities across the country to celebrate service, sacrifice and civic engagement at the local level. As part of the nationwide Freedom 250 initiative, United States Attorneys' Offices nationwide are recognizing individuals who exemplify dedication to public service and commitment to their communities.

Additionally, in honor of Freedom 250, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts conducted a two-week charity drive benefiting the New England Center and Home for VeteransLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.. The organization provides support and services to veterans facing or at risk of homelessness, including programs focused on housing, employment, recovery and independent living. Employees from the U.S. Attorney's Office donated nonmonetary donations including clothing, bedding and toiletries.

The ceremony will be open to the public and media. Additional details regarding media availability and logistics will be announced at a later date.