Balduzzi Jr., James Joseph
Army 1st lieutenant

James Joseph Balduzzi Jr., age 22, from Pennsylvania, Allegheny county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, July 9, 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. First Lieutenant James Joseph Balduzzi Jr. entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and was the company commander of Company C of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. His official status is missing in action but some sources indicate First Lieutenant Balduzzi was killed while leading a counterattack to defend Pork Chop Hill on July 9, though the exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. His remains were not recovered due to battlefield conditions, and further attempts to locate them were unsuccessful. Today, First Lieutenant Balduzzi is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency