PFC RODGER E. FIELDS REMAINS RETURNED
TO KENTUCKY NEARLY 75 YEARS AFTER DEATH
Sen. Brandon Smith’s early outreach helped connect eastern Kentuckians’ DNA submissions to the soldier's identification
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 13, 2025) — Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, is calling on Kentuckians to join in honoring United States Army Private First Class Rodger E. Fields of Busy, Ky., whose remains will be laid to rest nearly 75 years after he died at the age of 20 in service to the nation during the Korean War.
More than two decades ago, Smith made a public appeal for eastern Kentuckians to submit DNA samples to help identify the remains of American service members killed in past conflicts. That appeal led the Fields family to participate, and their submission ultimately confirmed the identity of PFC Fields.
“Probably 20 years ago, it was just a wild dream to match the unidentified remains of fallen soldiers to their homeplace in eastern Kentucky,” Smith said. “When the Fields family answered the call to send DNA swabs for potential matches, the chain of events began that would bring PFC Rodger Fields home. Yesterday was an emotional day as I accompanied the funeral procession to remember PFC Fields. It was an honor that I was proud to take part in. This repatriation brought not only PFC Fields's family together, but our community members too.”
A funeral procession accompanied Fields from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport on Tuesday. Smith and communities along the Mountain Parkway paid tribute.
Fields, born January 16, 1930, to the late Eligah and Nancy Fields, enlisted in the U.S. Army on Nov. 17, 1948, and served in D Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On Dec. 2, 1950, he was reported missing in action during a major battle near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Witness accounts later confirmed he had been killed in action on Dec. 1, 1950.
In January 1956, the Army determined his remains were non-recoverable, and he was memorialized at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. Through DNA and anthropological analysis, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified his remains and officially accounted for him on May 15, 2025.
A graveside service with full military honors will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 14, at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Southeast in Hyden.
Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on August 14 in honor of PFC Fields. All individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies are asked to join in the tribute.
“Our respect is the very least we can do for his ultimate sacrifice,” Smith said. “I encourage everyone who can participate in Thursday’s procession or service, or to pause and reflect in their own way. This is a rare and solemn opportunity to welcome home a hero who gave everything for our country.”
Fields is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family across Kentucky and the United States.
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Sen. Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, represents the 30th Senate District, which includes Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Morgan, Perry, Powell, and Wolfe Counties. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy. He also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Banking and Insurance; Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; and Transportation. Smith is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection. In 2024, he served on the Artificial Intelligence Task Force. Additionally, he is a member of the Blockchain Working Group and the Housing Policy Advisory Committee.