Sternard, John T.
Army Private 1st class

John T. Sternard from Douglas County Nebraska.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Unknown
Death details: In early February 1951, the United States, Republic of Korea (ROK), and United Nations forces moved out from Wonju, South Korea, and launched a large-scale counteroffensive against invading Chinese Communist Forces (CCF). Company L of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, took part in the action, establishing a position on the west side of Wonju and advancing through the hilly terrain amid light resistance from the CCF. However, on February 11, the CCF launched its own major counteroffensive against the advancing U.S. forces. Company L held their ground initially, but soon the CCF’s superior numbers forced the unit to withdraw back through Wonju. Corporal John T. Sternad, who joined the U.S. Army from Nebraska, was a member of L Company of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was captured when his company’s position on a key road into Wonju was overrun on February 14, 1951. After the war, surviving prisoner of war reported that CPL Sternad was seen alive in enemy custody as late as March of 1951. He perished at some point during his captivity; however, the exact details surrounding his loss are unknown. His remains have not been recovered, nor were they identified among those returned to U.S. custody following the war. Today, Corporal Sternad is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His name is also inscribed on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, which was updated in 2022 to include the names of the fallen.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency