Tag: Battle of Kum River

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Peeters, Marcel Charles
Army Private

Marcel Charles Peeters from Ohio, Hamilton 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 Marcel Charles Peeters entered the U.S. Army from Ohio and served with Company D, 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. He was eventually interned at the Apex prisoner of war camp at Hanjang-ni, where he died of malnutrition on January 21, 1951. His burial location was not recorded, and his remains were not recovered or identified following the war. Today, Private First Class Peeters 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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Paytes, John Lee
Army Private 1st class

John Lee Paytes from Ohio, Clermont 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 John Lee Paytes entered the U.S. Army from Ohio and served with Company A, 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 his capture, CPL Paytes was taken to Seoul, then eventually to Pyongyang, where in October 1950 he was boarded onto a train headed to Sunch’on. However, he never reached Sunch’on, and died on an unknown date while en route on the train. His burial location was not recorded, and his remains were never recovered or identified. Today, Corporal Paytes 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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Ollero, Luciano Francia
Army Corporal

Luciano Francia Ollero.

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 Luciano Francia Ollero entered the U.S. Army from the Virgin Islands and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 16, 1950, during the Battle of Kum River. After being marched to various holding camps in North Korea, he was eventually interned at the Apex prisoner of war (POW) camps in North Korea. He reportedly died of malnutrition on May 23, 1951; however, his burial location was not recorded, and his remains were not recovered or identified following the war. Today, Corporal Ollero 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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Reney, Edward Selah
Army Private 1st Class

Edward Selah Reney from New York, Suffolk 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 Edward Selah Reney entered the U.S. Army from New York and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, as his unit attempted 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. Today, Corporal Reney 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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O’Hara, William Thomas
Army Private 1st class

William Thomas O’Hara from Wisconsin, Milwaukee 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 Thomas O’Hara entered the U.S. Army from Wisconsin and served with Company D, 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 and around enemy roadblocks outside Taejon. After being marched or taken by train or truck to various holding camps, he became a part of the “Tiger March” to the “Apex” prisoner of war (POW) camps located in Chunggang-jin, North Korea. He eventually died of malnutrition and pneumonia at the “Apex” camps on November 21. He was likely buried by his companions nearby the camp, but his remains have not been recovered or identified following the conflict. Today, Corporal O’Hara 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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Monroe, James Henry
Army Private 1st class

James Henry Monroe from Idaho, Ada 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 James Henry Monroe entered the U.S. Army from Idaho and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 16, 1950, during the Battle of Kum River, and then was marched by stages to prison camps on the bank of the Yalu River in North Korea, known as the “Apex Camps.” CPL Monroe died of unknown causes in September 1950, along the route to the Apex camps, and north from Man’po, North Korea. The disposition of his remains is unknown, and he was not identified among remains returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Corporal Monroe 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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Molar, Loue Joseph
Army Private 1st class

Loue Joseph Molar 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. Corporal Loue Joseph Molar joined the U.S. Army from Michigan and was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On July 16, 1950, he went missing in action during the fighting withdrawal from the Battle of Kum River. The circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown, and CPL Molar was never reported to be a prisoner of war. He remains unaccounted-for following the incident. Today, Corporal Molar 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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Mitchell, William Benson Jr.
Army Private

William Benson Jr. Mitchell from Mississippi, Jackson 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 William Benson Mitchell Jr. joined the U.S. Army from Mississippi and was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On July 16, 1950, he was captured by the NKPA in the vicinity of Tuman-ni, South Korea during the Battle of Kum River. PFC Mitchell was marched to Seoul, South Korea, and then continued to camps in North Korea. On or before July 31, while being marched toward Seoul, PFC Mitchell died of wounds suffered in the earlier fighting. Circumstances surrounding the burial of his body was unreported, and he remains unaccounted-for following the incident. Today, Private First Class Mitchell 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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Mitchell, Rudus T. Jr.
Army Private 1st class

Rudus T. Jr. Mitchell from Louisiana, Orleans 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 Rudus T. Mitchell Jr. joined the U.S. Army from Louisiana and was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On July 16, 1950, he was captured by enemy forces in the vicinity of Taejon, South Korea, during the Battle of Kum River. CPL Mitchell was marched north to holding camps in North Korea and after leaving a camp in Manpo, he suffered from malnutrition and exposure and was reportedly killed by a guard after becoming too weak to march. Circumstances about any burial were unrecorded, and he remains unaccounted-for following the incident. Today, Corporal Mitchell 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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Mershon, David Franklin
Army Private

David Franklin Mershon from Ohio, Scioto 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 David Franklin Mershon entered the U.S. Army from Ohio and served with Company A, 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 around an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. As a prisoner of war (POW), he was marched toward the Apex camps on the southern bank of the Yalu River. He was shot and killed by his captors on or around November 30, en route to Chunggang-jin, the first village in the Apex camp cluster. He was likely buried or left where he fell. His remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict, and he is still unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Mershon is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency