Rahn, Russell Luther
Army Private

Russell Luther Rahn from Pennsylvania, Berks county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, July 11, 1950
Death details: On July 11, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 21st Infantry Regiment, which had arrived in Korea six days earlier, was placed in defensive positions near the town of Chochiwon, South Korea. The regiment was not at full strength and lacked artillery and anti-tank weapons. That day, they were attacked by North Korean forces and were forced to withdraw to avoid being surrounded, as well as to buy time until they could be reinforced and resupplied. Private First Class Russell Luther Rahn, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with K Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 11, as his unit fought a series of delaying actions between Pyongtaek and Chochiwon. No one saw him fall in battle and he was not reported to be a prisoner of war. After the area where he disappeared was retaken by friendly forces, extensive searches were conducted for his remains, but all were unsuccessful. Today, Private First Class Rahn is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency