Stokes, Claude L.
Army Private

Claude L. Stokes, age 21, from Florida, Franklin county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Saturday, July 11, 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 Claude Leonard Stokes, who joined the U.S. Army from Florida, served with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on July 11, 1953, after being hit by an enemy grenade and small arms fire during the battle for Pork Chop Hill. His remains were unable to be recovered in the aftermath of the battle, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private First Class Stokes is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency