Tag: Alabama Alabama

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Roberson, Edward Lee
Army Private 1st class

Edward Lee Roberson, age 19, from Alabama, Jefferson county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, July 7, 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. Corporal Edward Lee Roberson, who joined the U.S. Army from Alabama, served with the Medical Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 6 when Chinese troops overran his unit’s position on Pork Chop Hill. He was not seen to fall in battle, and tactical conditions prevented an immediate search for him. He was not reported as a prisoner of war, and within days, U.S. forces withdrew from Pork Chop Hill. Pork Chop Hill became part of the Demilitarized Zone soon after, and Corporal Roberson’s remains have not been identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Corporal Roberson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Hallford, William Thomas
Army Private 1st class

William Thomas Hallford, age 22, from Alabama, Russell county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Monday, July 6, 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. Corporal W.T. Hallford, who joined the U.S. Army from Alabama, served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing on July 6, as his unit fought Chinese soldiers for control of Pork Chop Hill. No one saw him fall in battle, and he was not reported to be a prisoner of war. Conditions on the battlefield prevented a search for him, and the area of his loss later became part of the Demilitarized Zone. Today, Corporal Hallford is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Morton, Ralph Frankline
Navy Fireman

Ralph Frankline Morton, age 18, from Alabama, Etowah county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 12, 1951
Death details: Killed aboard the destroyer USS Walke which was was providing anti-submarine protection to carriers from Task Force 77 off the east coast of Wonsan, North Korea, when it was struck on the port side by an enemy mine or torpedo. The force of the explosion tossed many sailors into the water, and those who were injured had a difficult time staying afloat while they waited for rescue. Twenty-six sailors were killed in the explosion and forty were wounded.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Patterson, Clarence Ervin
Army Private

Clarence Ervin Patterson, age 21, from Alabama, Montgomery county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, March 4, 1951
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 Clarence Ervin Patterson, who joined the U.S. Army from North Carolina, served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 6 when Chinese troops attacked and overran his unit’s outpost on Pork Chop Hill. Battlefield conditions prevented an immediate search for him, and within days U.S. forces withdrew from the hill, leaving it under Chinese control. The circumstances of PFC Patterson’s loss are unknown, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Patterson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Hardin, George Richard
Army Corporal

George Richard Hardin, age 21, from Alabama, Etowah county.

Service era: Korea
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment

Date of death: Monday, November 27, 1950
Death details: On November 27, 1950, B Company of the U.S. Army’s 35th Infantry Regiment, an element of Task Force Dolvin/Wilson, was holding a hastily erected defensive position near the village of Tong-dong, North Korea, when Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) attacked the company’s perimeter from two sides. After heavy fighting, the Chinese successfully infiltrated the American positions, forcing a withdrawal under heavy mortar and artillery fire. The U.S. troops pulled back to another position a mile farther south. Sergeant George Richard Hardin entered the U.S. Army from Alabama and served with B Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He went missing on November 27, 1950, during the withdrawal from Tong-dong, though exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to the U.S. following the ceasefire. Today, Sergeant Hardin is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Smith, Billy Eearl
Army Private

Billy Eearl Smith from Alabama, Chambers county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, November 14, 1950
Death details: On July 11, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 21st Infantry Regiment, which had arrived in Korea six days earlier, was placed in defensive positions near the town of Chochiwon, South Korea. The regiment was not at full strength and lacked artillery and anti-tank weapons. That day, they were attacked by North Korean forces and were forced to withdraw to avoid being surrounded, as well as to buy time until they could be reinforced and resupplied. Private First Class Billy Earl Smith, who joined the U.S. Army from Alabama, served with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces north of Chochiwon on July 12, and forced to march to the Apex prison camps in North Korea. He died of exhaustion and pneumonia on November 14 at Chunggang-jin and was buried at the edge of the village. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Smith is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Strickland, Marvin Blake
Army Private 1st class

Marvin Blake Strickland, age 19, from Alabama, Montgomery county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Corporal Marvin Blake Strickland joined the U.S. Army from Alabama and was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 1, 1950, Company C was in defensive positions with the 1st Battalion near Unsan when it was hit by a severe enemy attack and forced to withdraw. Units faced continued enemy attacks during the withdrawal, and it was during this fighting that CPL Strickland went missing, though specific details regarding 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. following the war. Today, Corporal Strickland is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Birmingham News (1950)

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Alexander, Howard Eugene
Army Private

Howard Eugene Alexander, age 28, from Alabama, Jefferson county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Private First Class Howard E. Alexander, who joined the U.S. Army from Alabama, was a member of Company A of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 1, while in defensive positions near Unsan, members of Company A began to sustain CCF rocket and infantry attacks. When Chinese forces infiltrated a gap between the 1st and 2nd battalions and moved aggressively into Unsan, the Americans were forced to begin a withdrawal from the area. Private First Class Alexander went missing during the withdrawal. Tactical circumstances prevented a search for him from being conducted, and he was not reported as a prisoner of war. He remains unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Alexander is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Davis, Richard Franklin
Army Sergeant 1st class

Richard Franklin Davis, age 19, from Alabama, Jefferson county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Master Sergeant Richard Franklin Davis, who joined the U.S. Army from Alabama, was a member of Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. By midnight on November 1, the 8th Cavalry Regiment was forced to withdraw from the Unsan Area. The 3rd Battalion was the last to withdraw, and was surrounded and cut off by the CCF during their movement. They formed a defensive perimeter, and withstood attacks for the next few days before survivors either broke out to avoid capture or surrendered. Master Sergeant Davis was captured by the CCF during the moving battle but died of his wounds shortly thereafter. His remains have not been recovered or identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Master Sergeant Davis is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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White, John Hershel
Army Corporal

John Hershel White, age 20, from Alabama, Jackson county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: On June 18, 2008, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC, now DPAA) identified the remains of Sergeant John Hershel White, missing from the Korean War. Sergeant White entered the U.S. Army from Alabama and served with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, members of Company H were occupying a defensive position near Unsan, North Korea, north of a bend in the Kuryong River known as the “Camel’s Head Bend.” That day, elements of the Chinese Communist Forces struck the 1st Cavalry Division’s lines, collapsing the perimeter and forcing a withdrawal. SGT White did not survive this combat, though the details of his loss are not recorded. In 2007, the North Korean government repatriated human remains excavated from an area near Unsan; U.S. analysts later identified SGT White from these remains.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency