Battle of Kum River

Oles, Peter John
Army Private

Peter John Oles from New York, Genesee county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Private First Class Peter John Oles entered the U.S. Army from New York and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, while his unit was attempting to withdraw through an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. After being marched to various holding camps in North Korea, he was eventually interned at the “Apex” camp at Hanjang-ni where he died of unknown causes in December. His burial location is unrecorded, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Private First Class Oles is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Ratcliffe III, Griffith John
Army Sergeant

Griffith John Ratcliffe III from Pennsylvania, Philadelphia county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Sergeant Griffith John Ratcliffe III entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and served with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, 1950, during the Battle of Kum River, while attempting to break through an enemy roadblock en route to Taejon. He was marched north with other prisoners to Seoul, where his name appeared on a blackboard in a schoolhouse being used as a temporary holding point for prisoners. Eventually, SGT Ratcliffe was moved to Pyongyang, where his name appeared on another blackboard. However, by the time he arrived in Pyongyang, he was mortally ill, and SGT Ratcliffe died on October 14, 1950. He was buried near the schoolhouse; however, his remains could not be recovered following the war, and he was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody. Today, Sergeant Ratcliffe is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Radford, Johnnie Eugene
Army Private 1st class

Johnnie Eugene Radford from Kentucky, Cumberland county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Corporal Johnnie Eugene Radford entered the U.S. Army from Kentucky and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, while attempting to withdraw through and around an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. Specific details regarding his loss are unknown. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Corporal Radford is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Quatier, Robert Duane
Army Private

Robert Duane Quatier from Unknown, Washington, Clark county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Private First Class Robert Duane Quatier entered the U.S. Army from Washington and served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing on July 16, 1950, during the Battle of Kum River, while his unit was attempting to withdraw through an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. Specific details regarding his loss, however, are unknown. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were never recovered or identified. Today, Private First Class Quatier is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Polka, Francis
Army Sergeant

Francis Polka from Michigan, Wayne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Sergeant First Class Francis Polka entered the U.S. Army from Michigan and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, while attempting to withdraw through an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. After his capture, he was marched to various holding camps in North Korea. On November 9, SFC Polka arrived at Chunggang-jin, the first of three “Apex” camps, where he died of malnutrition sometime in January or February 1951. His burial location is unrecorded, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Sergeant First Class Polka is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Pixley, George
Army Master sergeant

George Pixley from Michigan, Ottawa county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Master Sergeant George Alman Pixley entered the U.S. Army from Michigan and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken captive on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, as his unit attempted to withdraw through an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. Details about his fate in enemy captivity remain unknown. He was never returned to U.S. custody or associated with any remains later repatriated to the U.S. and is still unaccounted for. Today, Master Sergeant Pixley is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Pillow, Wade Maxwell
Army Private 1st class

Wade Maxwell Pillow from Virginia, Charlotte county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Corporal Wade Maxwell Pillow entered the U.S. Army from Virginia and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, while attempting to withdraw through an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. After his capture, he was marched to various holding camps in North Korea but became weakened along the way. While en route between Man’po and the Hanjang-ni, CPL Pillow was shot and died on or around November 6. His burial location is unrecorded, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Corporal Pillow is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Phillips, William Daniel
Army Private 1st class

William Daniel Phillips from Georgia, Carroll county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Corporal William Daniel Phillips joined the U.S. Army from Georgia and was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On July 16, 1950, he went missing in action during the Battle of Kum River, as his unit made its fighting withdrawal to the south. The exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown, and CPL Phillips was never reported to be a prisoner of war. He remains unaccounted-for following the incident. Today, Corporal Phillips is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Pettis, Gilbert Lester
Army Private 1st Class

Gilbert Lester Pettis from New York, Chenango county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Corporal Gilbert Lester Pettis entered the U.S. Army from New York and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, 1950, during the Battle of Kum River, while attempting to withdraw through the enemy roadblock outside Taejon. After his capture, he was a part of a group of prisoners of war (POW) known as “Tiger Group” who were marched to various holding camps in North Korea. In mid-September, in the North Korean’s attempt to evade the allies, CPL Pettis and “Tiger Group” were moved from point to point around the village of Manpo before finally recollecting at a temporary camp known as the “Cornfield Site.” By then, CPL Pettis was mortally ill, and he died while still at the “Cornfield Site.” Corporal Pettis’s remains have not been recovered, and he was not identified among any of the remains returned to the U.S. following the war. Today, Corporal Pettis is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Peterson, Donwin Ross
Army Private 1st class

Donwin Ross Peterson from Oklahoma, Oklahoma county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 16, 1950
Death details: On the evening of July 15, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 19th Infantry Regiment held defensive positions along the south bank of the Kum River. As dusk approached, North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) tanks appeared on the opposite shore and began firing on the U.S. positions. Although U.S. troops repulsed the attacks that evening, the next morning the NKPA crossed the river and launched a major attack against the 19th Regiment. As the regiment began withdrawing south to Taejon, the North Koreans pushed deep into their defensive lines and set up a roadblock en route to Taejon. When retreating American convoys could not break through the roadblock, soldiers were forced to leave the road and attempt to make their way in small groups across the countryside. Of the 900 soldiers in the 19th Infantry when the Battle of Kum River started, only 434 made it to friendly lines. Corporal Donwin Ross Peterson entered the U.S. Army from Minnesota and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, while attempting to withdraw through an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. After being marched to various holding camps in North Korea, he was eventually interned at the Apex prisoner of war (POW) camp at An-dong, where he died on or about August 5, 1951. He was buried near An-dong, however, his remains were not recovered or identified following the war. Today, Corporal Peterson 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