Browning, Paul James
Army Sergeant 1st class

Paul James Browning, age 30, from Arkansas, Miller county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, October 24, 1952
Death details: In late October 1952, elements of the U.S. 32nd Infantry Regiment attacked Chinese forces on Hill 598 (often referred to as the Triangle Hill Complex) near Kumhwa, North Korea. Triangle Hill was composed of three high peaks, two of which were nicknamed “Pike’s Peak” and “Jane Russell.” If U.S. troops could push the Chinese off Triangle Hill, the Chinese would have to fall back to the next high defensible position. The initial U.S. assault was effective; however, the Chinese quickly counterattacked, sending wave after wave of troops against the 32nd’s positions on Pike’s Peak and Jane Russell. Chinese forces eventually re-established themselves on Pike’s Peak and U.S. troops were unable to dislodge them. Master Sergeant Paul James Browning, who joined the U.S. Army from Arkansas, served with F Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On October 24, as his unit was engaging Chinese forces on Hill 598, Master Sergeant Browning was thrown from the hilltop by an exploding mortar shell while attempting to move an injured soldier to cover. He was not seen again after the blast, and was listed as missing in action. After the ceasefire, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Master Sergeant Browning is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency