Harlan County Kentucky

Charles Edward Liford, age 21, from Kentucky, Harlan county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, October 24, 1952
Death details: In late October 1952, elements of the U.S. 32nd Infantry Regiment attacked Chinese forces on Hill 598 (often referred to as the Triangle Hill Complex) near Kumhwa, North Korea. Triangle Hill was composed of three high peaks, two of which were nicknamed “Pike’s Peak” and “Jane Russell.” If U.S. troops could push the Chinese off Triangle Hill, the Chinese would have to fall back to the next high defensible position. The initial U.S. assault was effective; however, the Chinese quickly counterattacked, sending wave after wave of troops against the 32nd’s positions on Pike’s Peak and Jane Russell. Chinese forces eventually re-established themselves on Pike’s Peak and U.S. troops were unable to dislodge them. Corporal Charles Edward Liford, who joined the U.S. Army from Kentucky, served with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing on October 24 when Chinese troops attacked his unit’s defensive position on Hill 598. He was not seen to fall in battle and he was not reported to be a prisoner of war. The area of his loss did not return to the control of U.S. forces, precluding a search for his remains, and the terms of the ceasefire later placed the area inside the Demilitarized Zone. Corporal Liford’s remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Liford is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency