ST. LOUIS - Private first class Waddell White served in multiple branches, but his friends and family said it was finally time for his soul to come home to St. Louis.

“He was in the Korean War in 1951; he was a P.O.W. He was missing in action, and I decided to bring his spirit home,” said Rosalind Addison, the niece of Waddell.

The 25-year-old war hero was memorialized Friday morning at Friendly Temple church.

“He had 11 war medals, two Purple Hearts, two prisoner-of-war medals and the president’s national Korean War,” Addison said.

He was honored with a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.

Those in attendance included family of White, as well as friends of family who served in the military who know the importance of laying war heroes to rest.

Addison said she hopes heroes of yesterday can inspire the youth to carry on their legacy and leave a better one.

“Maybe some of the young guys out here are struggling or what have you at 25, 26 years old dealing with guns and violence,” Addison said. “Leave a good legacy for your family, do some nice and do something right.”

While no remains have been found of White, Addison said they feel his soul and spirit were laid to rest. He has many memorials across the county and he was laid to rest here in St Louis at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.