Toulmin, Lester E.
Army Private

Lester E. Toulmin, age 21, from New York, Erie county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, July 10, 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. Private First Class Lester E. Toulmin Jr. entered the U.S. Army from New York and was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action during the fighting at Pork Chop Hill on July 10, 1950, though circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. His remains were not recovered, and he is still unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Toulmin is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency