Morrill, Martin G.
Army Private 1st Class

Martin G. Morrill, age 19, from Massachusetts, Norfolk 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. Corporal Martin George Morrill Jr., who joined the U.S. Army from Massachusetts, served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing on July 6 when his company’s outpost on Pork Chop Hill was attacked and overrun by Chinese troops. He was not seen to fall in battle and he was not reported to be a prisoner of war. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Morrill is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency