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American freed by North Korea arrives home in Ohio

After six months of detention in North Korea, 56-year-old Jeffrey Fowle returned to his family in Ohio on Wednesday.

By JC Finley
Jeffrey Fowle landed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (pictured in May) on Oct. 22, 2014 after six months of detention in North Korea. (UPI/USAF)
Jeffrey Fowle landed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (pictured in May) on Oct. 22, 2014 after six months of detention in North Korea. (UPI/USAF)

MIAMISBURG, Ohio, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- Jeffrey Fowle, a 56-year-old American detained by North Korea since April for leaving a Bible in a hotel room, was reunited Wednesday with his family in Ohio.

Fowle landed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton early Wednesday, where he was greeted by his wife, three children (ages 9, 11 and 13), and brother.

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When asked how he felt, Fowle gave a reporter at the airport a thumbs-up.

"We'd like to thank God for his hand of protection over Jeff these past six months," Fowle family spokesman Tim Tepe told CNN.

North Korea released Fowle on Tuesday, ordering the U.S. Department of Defense to arrange his transportation out of the country.

Pyongyang released a statement Wednesday that Fowle's release had been secured by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un in response to a request from President Barack Obama.

Both the White House and U.S. Department of State said they welcomed North Korea's but urged Pyongyang to also release detained Americans Kenneth Bae, arrested in November 2012 for "hostile acts" and sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor, and Miller Matthew Todd, who state media claimed requested asylum in North Korea in April.

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