Howell, Roy L.
Army Corporal

Roy L. Howell, age 21, from Missouri, Wayne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Monday, July 6, 1953
Death details: On July 6, 1953, a large Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) unit attacked and overran the U.S. Army outposts on Pork Chop Hill in an attempt to seize whatever territory possible before the impending armistice agreement. After fighting for the position for four days, on July 10, the 7th Infantry Division Commander determined that the CCF disregard for casualties and desire to hold the outpost outweighed the position’s tactical value, and ordered a withdrawal that was eventually completed on July 11. The U.S. never again controlled Pork Chop Hill, preventing thorough recovery efforts for those who were killed or went missing during the fighting. Sergeant Roy L. Howell, who joined the U.S. Army from Missouri, served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 7 when Chinese troops overran Company A’s outposts and part of their bunker line on Pork Chop Hill. He was not seen to fall in battle and conditions on the battlefield prevented a search for him. He was not reported to be a prisoner of war. After the ceasefire, the area where he went missing became part of the Demilitarized Zone. Today, Sergeant Howell is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency