Battle of Kum River

Garcia, Joseph George
Army Corporal

Joseph George Garcia from Carbon, Wyoming.

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 Joseph George Garcia entered the U.S. Army from Wyoming and served with Headquarters Company, 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. The exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Sergeant Garcia is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Freund, Aloysius Joseph
Army Sergeant

Aloysius Joseph Freund from Wisconsin, Fond du Lac 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 Aloysius Joseph Freund entered the U.S. Army from Wisconsin 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 his unit was attempting to withdraw through and around an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. After being moved between various holding camps in North Korea, he was eventually interned at the “Apex” camp at Hanjang-ni, where he died of exhaustion and illness during the winter of 1950-51, likely on January 5, 1951. He remains unaccounted for. Today, Sergeant First Class Freund is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Franklin Jr., John Duffield
Army Private

John Duffield Franklin Jr. from New Jersey, Salem 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 John Duffield Franklin Jr. entered the U.S. Army from New Jersey 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 to friendly-controlled areas outside Taejon. After his capture, PFC Franklin was taken to Seoul and then to Manpo. From Manpo, he was part of the “Tiger Group” marched to a cluster of three villages known as the “Apex” camps. When he arrived, PFC Franklin was mortally ill, and died on or around June 6, 1951, at the third “Apex” camp. His companions buried him a short distance away; however, his remains have not been recovered or identified since. Today, Private First Class Franklin is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Fletcher, Robert Sargent
Army Private 1st class

Robert Sargent Fletcher from Hillsboro, New Hampshire, Hillsborough 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 Robert Sargent Fletcher entered the U.S. Army from New Hampshire and served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured on July 16, during delaying actions between Pyongt’aek and Choch’iwon in the Battle of Kum River. After his capture, CPL Fletcher was moved north by stages through Seoul, Pyongyang, and Manpo. He was eventually marched to Chunggang-jin, the first of three villages among the “Apex” prisoner of war (POW) camps, but arrived mortally ill and died among his companions in January 1951. His exact place of death and burial location are unknown, and his remains have not been recovered. Today, Corporal Fletcher is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Engeholm, Stanley
Army Private

Stanley Engeholm from New York, Niagara 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 Stanley Engeholm entered the U.S. Army from New York and served with Company D, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing in action during the Battle of Kum River on July 16, following his unit’s attempt to withdraw through and around enemy roadblocks outside Taejon. Private First Class Engeholm was never reported as a prisoner of war, and his remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict. Today, Private First Class Engeholm is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Engdahl, James Walter
Army Private 1st class

James Walter Engdahl from New Jersey, Essex 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 James Walter Engdahl entered the U.S. Army from New Jersey and served with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on July 16, 1950, during the Battle of Kum River, while attempting to break through an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. His remains could not be recovered at the time of his loss, and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Engdahl is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Eggers, Herbert Phillip
Army Private

Herbert Phillip Eggers from Indiana, Marion 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 Herbert Phillip Eggers entered the U.S. Army from Indiana and served with the Medical Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was attached to Company A of the regiment’s 1st Battalion as an aid man. He went missing in action on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, following his unit’s attempt to withdraw around an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. PFC Eggers was never reported as a prisoner of war, and his remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict. Today, Private First Class Eggers is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Ebensperger, Clarence William
Army Private 1st Class

Clarence William Ebensperger from New York, Oneida 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 Clarence William Ebensperger entered the U.S. Army from New York 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 his unit attempted to withdraw to Taejon. Corporal Ebensperger was one of many prisoners of war (POW) marched north to Seoul and held in former Japanese schoolhouses, where the names of POWs were recorded on blackboards. He continued north to Pyongyang, North Korea, and then reached Manpo where he became mortally ill but continued further north toward Chungung, one of three ?Apex? camps near the border with China. Varying reports state he died of his illness or was shot and left by the roadside before reaching the Chasong pass, halfway between Manpo and Chungung. His remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Ebensperger is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Dunn, Francis
Army Private 1st Class

Francis Dunn from New York, Rensselaer 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 Francis Dunn entered the U.S. Army from New York and served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was wounded by small arms fire on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, as his unit attempted to withdraw through enemy roadblocks outside Taejon. While seeking medical care at a nearby first aid station, he was captured when the area was overrun by the enemy. After his capture, he was marched toward the “Apex” prisoner of war camps, but died en route near Kosan, on October 27, due to exposure, malnutrition and possibly his wounds. He was subsequently buried in Kosan. His remains have not been recovered. Today, Corporal Dunn is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Drake Jr., Theron William
Army Corporal

Theron William Drake Jr. from New York, Warren 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 Theron William Drake Jr. entered the U.S. Army from North Dakota and was assigned to the Service Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 16, during the Battle of Kum River, following his unit’s attempt to withdraw around an enemy roadblock outside Taejon. Sergeant Drake was never reported as a prisoner of war, and his remains were not recovered or identified following the conflict. He is still unaccounted for. Today, Sergeant Drake 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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