25 April 1951 attack

Hetzler, Thurman Benjamin
Army Private

Thurman Benjamin Hetzler, age 23, from Ohio, Shelby county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, September 11, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Private First Class Thurman B. Hetzler, who joined the U.S. Army from Ohio, served with L Company, 3rd Battalion, 19th Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on April 25, 1951, as his unit, withdrawing south and under heavy attack, attempted to circumvent a roadblock set up by Chinese Communist Forces west of the Hwach-on Reservoir. PFC Hetzler died of malnutrition on September 11, 1951 at the “Mining Camp” in North Korea. His burial location is unknown, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Private First Class Hetzler is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Carr, Baldwin Ronald
Army 1st lieutenant

Baldwin Ronald Carr, age 22, from Lansing, Michigan, Ingham county.

Service era: Korea
Schools: Lansing Sexton High (1946), Michigan State University (1950)

Date of death: Saturday, September 1, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. First Lieutenant Baldwin Ronald Carr entered the U.S. Army from Michigan and was a member of D Company, 6th Medium Tank Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. On April 25, while supporting this withdrawal, the tank he was riding in attempted to break through a roadblock but stalled and had to be abandoned. He was soon captured and held locally before being marched north with other prisoners of war (POW) to holding points. He was eventually held at “Pak?s Palace”, a POW interrogation center in Pyongyang, where he became mortally ill and died in late August of malnutrition. His remains were not recovered. Today, First Lieutenant Carr is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Battle Creek Enquirer (1951), South Bend Tribune (2009)

Schifano, Robert J.
Army Private 1st Class

Robert J. Schifano, age 20, from New York, Suffolk county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Corporal Robert Joseph Schifano entered the U.S. Army from New York and was a member of the Heavy Mortar Company, 5th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division. On April 25, CPL Schifano went missing while supporting a rear-guard action during this withdrawal, though exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never seen in enemy custody, and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Corporal Schifano is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Basham, John Harison
Army Private

John Harison Basham, age 19, from Kentucky, Jefferson county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Private First Class John Harrison Basham entered the U.S. Army from Kentucky and was a member of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On April 25, he went missing in action during these withdrawals. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody following the ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Basham is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Trompics, William Bernard
Army Private 1st class

William Bernard Trompics, age 21, from Detroit, Michigan, Wayne county.

Parents: John P. Tompics

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Corporal William Bernard Trompics, who joined the U.S. Army from Michigan, was a member of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 19th Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action during the heavy fighting on April 25. He was never seen in enemy custody, and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Corporal Trompics is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Lansing State Journal (1951)

Brindel Jr., Clyde Wilbur
Army Sergeant

Clyde Wilbur Brindel Jr., age 21, from Pennsylvania, Philadelphia county.

Parents: Clyde W. Brindel

Service era: Korea
Schools: Germantown High

Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Sergeant First Class Clyde Wilbur Brindel Jr. entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and was a member of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing on April 25, as members of the 5th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) were providing rear guard cover during this withdrawal action, though circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never reported as a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to the U.S. since the ceasefire. He remains unaccounted for. Today, Sergeant First Class Brindel is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Philadelphia Inquirer (1954)

Yasunaka, Gary Kaname
Army Private

Gary Kaname Yasunaka, age 25, from San Mateo, California, San Mateo county.

Parents: Hideichi Yasunaka

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Private First Class Gary Kaname Yasunaka entered the U.S. Army from California and was a member of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On April 25, members of his unit were supporting a defensive line west of the Hwach-on Reservoir. The enemy launched heavy attacks and finally penetrated the line. It was during this portion of the battle that PFC Yasunaka went missing, though exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was not reported as a prisoner of war nor were any remains associated with him returned to the U.S. since the ceasefire. He is still unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Yasunaka is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Hawaii Tribune Herald (1951)

Acinelli, Bill Joseph
Army Private 1st class

Bill Joseph Acinelli, age 18, from Saint Louis, Missouri, Saint Louis county.

Parents: Ward of Edna Harris

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Private First Class Bill Joseph Acinelli entered the U.S. Army from Missouri and was a member of L Company, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On April 25, members of his unit were supporting a defensive line west of the Hwach-on Reservoir. The enemy launched heavy attacks which finally penetrated the line, and it was during this portion of the battle that PFC Acinelli went missing, though circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was not reported as a prisoner of war nor were any remains associated with him returned to the U.S. since the ceasefire. He remains unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Acinelli is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Saint Louis Post Dispatch (1951)

Clairmont, Donald Joseph
Army Corporal

Donald Joseph Clairmont, age 22, from California, Los Angeles county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Sergeant Donald Joseph Clairmont entered the U.S. Army from California and served with Battery A, 555th Field Artillery, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by the enemy during this withdrawal, as his unit was moving northeast of Uijongbu and encountered an enemy roadblock. After being taken prisoner, SGT Clairmont was transferred north towards Pyongyang, but died en route of malnutrition on an unrecorded date in June 1951. The disposition of his remains is unknown, and he could not be associated with any of the remains later returned to U.S. custody. Further attempts to locate his remains were unsuccessful. Today, Sergeant Clairmont is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Coleman, James Allen
Army Sergeant 1st class

James Allen Coleman, age 22, from Indiana, Vermillion county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On May 23, 2022, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) identified the remains of Sergeant First Class James Allen Coleman, missing from the Korean War. Sergeant First Class Coleman entered the U.S. Army from Indiana and was a member of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On April 25, 1951, he was reported missing in action near Chipori, South Korea, after an enemy mortar shell struck his location. The tactical situation at the time prevented search efforts for SFC Coleman or his remains at the time of his loss. In April of 1953, an American Graves Registration Service Group recovered remains from the village of Tumun-gol, South Korea, in an area corresponding with the 19th Infantry Regiment’s fighting in April 1951. This set of remains was determined to be unidentifiable, and was buried as an unknown at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2019, as part of the larger effort to disinter and identify all Korean War unknowns, this set of remains were disinterred and accessioned into the DPAA laboratory. Circumstantial evidence and laboratory analysis established the remans as those of SFC Coleman. Sergeant First Class Coleman is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Load More
Back To Top