Missing for more than 63 years, veteran’s remains returned to family

The casket of U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Gantt is prepared to be removed from the plane.  (Andrew Renneisen / For The Times)

Members of the U.S. honor guard carry the casket of U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Gantt to a hearse.   (Andrew Renneisen / For the Los Angeles Times)

Clara Gantt, the 94-year-old widow of U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Gantt, gets emotional while talking to members of the media about her husband, before making her way to meet the casket.   (Andrew Renneisen / For The Times)

The casket of U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Gantt sits on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport after being lowered from the plane.   (Andrew Renneisen / For The Times)

The casket of U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Gantt inside a hearse.  (Andrew Renneisen / For The Times)

Clara Gantt keeps a photo of her husband hanging in her bedroom. He was missing for 63 years.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Clara Gantt stands in the Inglewood house she’s lived in since the 1960s. She knew Joseph Gantt disliked yardwork, so after she bought the home, she hired a gardener.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Until her husband’s remains were identified and returned from North Korea, Clara Gantt never gave up hope he would someday return.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Clara Gantt stands in front of a display of her husband’s things, reflected by a glass case that holds an American flag and his photo.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)