NY Soldier Missing Since Korean War Identified U.S. military officials say the remains of a central New York soldier have been identified more than 60 years after he died during the Korean War. The Pentagon announced Monday that the remains of 18-year-old Army Sgt. Michael J. Barra of Ithaca were identified through methods that included DNA samples submitted by his sister and brother. Barra was serving in an engineer unit of the 2nd Infantry Division when he was reported missing in action while battling Chinese forces in late November 1950. Returning American POWs reported that Barra had been captured and died in February 1951 at a North Korean POW camp. His remains were among those turned over by North Korea in the early 1990s. Barra will be buried with full military honors on Nov. 22 in Ithaca.