Battle of Kum River

Wilcosky, Thomas Richard
Army Private

Thomas Richard Wilcosky from Pennsylvania, Fayette 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 Thomas Richard Wilcosky entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and served with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 16, 1950, during the Battle of Kum River, while attempting to break through an enemy roadblock south to Taejon. Exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown, and he was never reported to be a prisoner of war. He remains unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Wilcosky is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Warrick, John Edward
Army Corporal

John Edward Warrick from Pennsylvania, Westmoreland 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 John Edward Warrick entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania 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” prisoner of war (POW) camp at Hanjang-ni where he died of exhaustion and pneumonia sometime in late December 1950 or early January 1951. He was buried by his companions near the village. His remains have not been recovered. Today, Sergeant Warrick is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Warren, Everett
Army Private 1st class

Everett Warren from Georgia, Terrell 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 Everett Warren entered the U.S. Army from Georgia and served with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on the morning of July 16, 1950, during the Battle of Kum River. Reportedly, CPL Warren was among the prisoners forced to take part in the infamous “Tiger March” from Manpo to the so-called Apex Camps. However, on October 31, CPL Warren died of exhaustion and illness at a temporary camp known as the “Cornfield Site” along the march route just outside Manpo. Circumstances surrounding his burial are unknown, and he has not been identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Corporal Warren is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Ward, Delmer Ray
Army Private 1st class

Delmer Ray Ward from Tennessee, Greene 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 Delmer Ray Ward entered the U.S. Army from Tennessee and served with Headquarters Company, 1st 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 near Taejon. After his capture, PFC Ward was marched with other prisoners to holding camps in North Korea, though he reportedly died at some point while being marched between Chunggang-jin and Hunjang-ni. Specific circumstances surrounding his death and burial are unknown, and his remains were not recovered or identified following the war. Today, Private First Class Ward is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Wagner, Gene Lewis
Army Private 1st class

Gene Lewis Wagner from Indiana, White 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 Gene Lewis Wagner joined the U.S. Army from Indiana and was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces during the fighting withdrawal from the Battle of Kum River on July 16. Corporal Wagner joined a group of prisoners who were marched to holding camps in North Korea. While marching near Kosan, North Korea, illness and exposure rendered CPL Wagner too weak to continue, and he was killed by a guard. He was not identified among remains returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Wagner is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Vorel Jr., Charles Albert
Army Private

Charles Albert Vorel Jr. from Nebraska, Douglas 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 Charles Albert Vorel entered the U.S. Army from Nebraska and served with Company B, 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 and around an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. He was not reported as a prisoner of war, and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Vorel is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Titus, Robert Eli Titus
Army Private

Robert Eli Titus Titus from Indiana, Grant 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 Eli Titus entered the U.S. Army from Indiana and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, as Company C attempted a withdrawal from positions outside Taejon 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) camp at Hanjang-ni, where he died of an unknown cause in late September or early November 1950. His burial location was not recorded, and his remains were not recovered or identified after the war. Today, Private First Class Titus is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Manross, Thomas Maxwell
Army Private 1st class

Thomas Maxwell Manross from Pennsylvania, Crawford 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 Thomas Maxwell Manross entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and served with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken captive by the enemy on July 16, 1950, while attempting to break through an enemy road block south of Taejon during the Battle of Kum River. Following his capture, CPL Manross was marched to various holding camps in North Korea, and eventually arrived at the village of Chunggang-jin on or around November 9. However, by the time he arrived, he suffered from exhaustion, exposure, and illness, and succumbed to his condition on November 14. He was buried by his companions at the edge of the village, but his remains were not recovered or identified following the war, and he is still unaccounted for. Today, Corporal Manross is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Sunsdahl, Roy Lloyd
Army Private

Roy Lloyd Sunsdahl from Minnesota, Pennington 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 Roy Lloyd Sunsdahl entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On the morning of July 16, while fighting at Hill 200 during the Battle of Kum River, PFC Sunsdahl was captured by the enemy. As a prisoner of war (POW), PFC Sunsdahl was marched to various holding camps, and eventually became a part of the “Tiger March” to the “Apex” camps in North Korea. Private First Class Sunsdahl died at the “Apex” village of Hanjang-ni, in early December 1950. He was buried by companions on a hillside just above the village, but his remains have not been recovered following the war. Today, Private First Class Sunsdahl is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Sumpter, Bill Sumpter
Army Corporal

Bill Sumpter Sumpter from Missouri, 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. Sergeant Bill Swanson Sumpter entered the U.S. Army from Missouri and served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On the morning of July 16, while fighting at Hill 200 during the Battle of Kum River, SGT Sumpter was taken captive. SGT Sumpter was forced on the Tiger March to the Apex camps on the southern banks of the Yalu River. SGT Sumpter died at the camp near the village of Hanjang-ni, during November 1950, although the exact details surrounding his death and burial are unknown. Sergeant Sumpter’s remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict. Today, Sergeant Sumpter 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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