Tag: Luzerne County Pennsylvania

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Callahan, John H.
Army Sergeant

John H. Callahan, age 34, from Hazelton, Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Spouse: Hedwig A Callahan

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: Friday, March 16, 1962
Death details: Among 93 soldiers aboard a transport plane on a “secret mission” to Vietnam. Wreaths Across America in 2021: “Very little is known about what happened to the plane and its passengers, and due to the circumstance surrounding this mission, the names of those lost have not yet been added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.”
Cemetery: A memorial honoring the lives lost was dedicated in 2021 in Columbia Falls, Maine

Source: Atlanta Counstitution (1962), MauiNow (2021), UPI (1962), Frederick News (1962)

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Powell, John Phillip
Army Private 1st class

John Phillip Powell, age 21, from Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Saturday, July 11, 1953
Death details: On July 6, 1953, a large Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) unit attacked and overran the U.S. Army outposts on Pork Chop Hill in an attempt to seize whatever territory possible before the impending armistice agreement. After fighting for the position for four days, on July 10, the 7th Infantry Division Commander determined that the CCF disregard for casualties and desire to hold the outpost outweighed the position’s tactical value, and ordered a withdrawal that was eventually completed on July 11. The U.S. never again controlled Pork Chop Hill, preventing thorough recovery efforts for those who were killed or went missing during the fighting. Corporal John Phillip Powell, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with Company I, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on July 11 as his unit fought Chinese troops for control of Pork Chop Hill. Conditions on the battlefield prevented the immediate recovery of his body, and the next day U.S. forces withdrew from Pork Chop Hill. Corporal Powell’s remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Powell 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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Shulman, Irving
Army Private

Irving Shulman, age 21, from Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Saturday, July 11, 1953
Death details: On July 6, 1953, a large Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) unit attacked and overran the U.S. Army outposts on Pork Chop Hill in an attempt to seize whatever territory possible before the impending armistice agreement. After fighting for the position for four days, on July 10, the 7th Infantry Division Commander determined that the CCF disregard for casualties and desire to hold the outpost outweighed the position’s tactical value, and ordered a withdrawal that was eventually completed on July 11. The U.S. never again controlled Pork Chop Hill, preventing thorough recovery efforts for those who were killed or went missing during the fighting. Private Irving Shulman, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on July 11, 1953, during the fighting for Pork Chop Hill. His remains were not recovered following the battle and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private Shulman 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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Kinney, Salvadore Dominic
Marines Private 1st class

Salvadore Dominic Kinney, age 22, from Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, March 26, 1953
Death details: In late March 1953, elements of the 1st Marine Division manned a string of outposts along a 33-mile section of the main line of resistance on the Korean Peninsula, near the present-day Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The 1st Marine Division’s 5th Marine Regiment was responsible for three of these outposts, named Carson, Reno, and Vegas, or collectively “the Nevada Cities Complex.” On March 26, Chinese Communist Forces attacked all three outposts. Although Carson managed to stave off the assault, Reno and Vegas, which were more lightly manned, eventually succumbed to the enemy. Over 1,000 Marines were killed, wounded, or went missing during the attack on the Nevada Cities Complex. Private First Class Salvadore Dominic Kinney joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Pennsylvania and was a member of A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He went missing in action during the fighting at the Nevada Cities Complex on March 26, 1953. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and he was not identified among remains returned to U.S. custody after the conflict’s ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Kinney 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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Krishefski, Joseph Francis
Army Private 1st class

Joseph Francis Krishefski, age 21, from Luzerne County Plymouth, Pennsylvania .

Parents: Blanche Krishefski

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 30, 1950
Death details: By mid-November 1950, U.S. and Allied forces had advanced to within approximately sixty miles of the Yalu River, the border between North Korea and China. On November 25, approximately 300,000 Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) “volunteers” suddenly and fiercely counterattacked after crossing the Yalu. The 2nd Infantry Division, located the farthest north of units at the Chongchon River, could not halt the CCF advance and was ordered to withdraw to defensive positions at Sunchon in the South Pyongan province of North Korea. As the division pulled back from Kunu-ri toward Sunchon, it conducted an intense rearguard action while fighting to break through well-defended roadblocks set up by CCF infiltrators. The withdrawal was not complete until December 1, and the 2nd Infantry Division suffered extremely heavy casualties in the process. Corporal Joseph Francis Krishefski, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with D Company, 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. He went missing on November 30, 1950, during his unit’s withdrawal from Kunu-ri toward Sunchon, North Korea. No one saw him fall in battle, and he was not reported as a prisoner of war. His remains have not been identified among any returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Krishefski is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader (1954)

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Swainbank, James Edward
Army Corporal

James Edward Swainbank, age 29, from Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, November 29, 1950
Death details: On November 29, 1950, men from Company G of the U.S. 1st Marine Regiment, MP Company and Tank Company, 1st Marine Division, Company B and elements of Company D of the 31st Infantry Regiment, Headquarters Company of the X Corps, and Royal Marines from Number 41 Independent Commando Battalion were sent north from Koto-ri to open the main supply route to Hagaru-ri and resupply and reinforce Allied troops that had been surrounded near the Chosin Reservoir. The group, known as Task Force Drysdale, set out with tanks and other vehicles in the lead and rear, and initially only met light resistance from Chinese Communist Forces (CCF). As attacks increased in ferocity, the group became fragmented as the CCF managed to establish road blocks that further split the task force. Soon, the CCF blew a bridge and halted the convoy altogether. The Royal Marines and most of Company G were north of the bridge at this time and were able to continue to Hagaru-ri. Near the south end of the convoy, a destroyed truck blocked the road. The tanks and troops south of the destroyed truck fought as long as possible before ultimately returning to Koto-ri on November 30. The men between the blown bridge and the destroyed truck, however, were trapped, and subjected to several mortar barrages before CCF moved into hand-to-hand combat range. Fighting raged there until the morning of November 30, when the survivors were forced to surrender. Over 300 troops were wounded, captured, or died during the action. Sergeant James Edward Swainbank, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, was a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on November 29, 1950, during Task Force Drysdale?s advance to Hagaru-ri. Information from a repatriated POW indicated that Sergeant Swainbank was actually killed in action on November 29 and the Army so amended his status. His remains could not be recovered, and he has not been identified among remains returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Sergeant Swainbank 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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Wentko, Chester
Army Private 1st class

Chester Wentko, age 29, from Plymouth, Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Parents: Agnes Wentko

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Corporal Chester Wentko joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and was a member of Company I of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, members of Company I were in defensive positions with the 3rd Battalion near Unsan when they received orders to withdraw. The 3rd Battalion was the last unit in the withdrawal sequence and experienced heavy and constant attacks by the CCF. Corporal Wentko was reported missing during the withdrawal’s rear-guard action, though specific details surrounding his loss are unknown. He was not reported as a prisoner of war, nor has he been identified among remains returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Wentko is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Wilkes Barre Times Leader (1954)

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Donnelly, Eugene Joseph
Army Corporal

Eugene Joseph Donnelly from Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Sergeant Eugene Joseph Donnelly, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, Company L was occupying defensive positions with the 3rd Battalion near Unsan when it was hit by an enemy attack and forced to withdraw. Sergeant Donnelly went missing during this action, though specific details regarding his loss are unknown. His remains were not recovered following the battle and he was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody after the armistice. Today, Sergeant Donnelly 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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Gregori, Joseph
Army Private 1st class

Joseph Gregori, age 19, from Pittston, Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Parents: Lena Gregori

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: On July 25, 2006, Joint Task Force–Full Accounting (JTF-FA, now DPAA) identified the remains of Corporal Joseph Gregori, missing from the Korean War. Corporal Gregori entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and served with Battery C, 99th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, he was with units of the 1st Cavalry Division at a roadblock, withdrawing toward Ipsok, North Korea, when attacked by Chinese Communist Forces. He did not survive this action, though no specific details surrounding his loss are known, and his body was not located or recovered at the time. In 2000, a joint U.S./North Korean team interviewed a farmer living near Unsan, who told the team that while doing land reclamation work he uncovered human remains; the team excavated the burial site and uncovered additional human remains along with military artifacts, and U.S. analysts were able to identify CPL Gregori from these remains.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Pittston Sunday Dispatch (1950)

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Stanks, Theodore
Army Private

Theodore Stanks, age 18, from Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, Luzerne county.

Parents: Agnes Stanks

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: During the last week of October 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Army forces under the control of the U.S. Eighth Army were advancing deep in North Korean territory, approaching the Yalu River on the Chinese-Korean border. Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) struck back in a surprise attack, engaging the ROK 1st and 6th Divisions near Unsan, some sixty miles north of Pyongyang. The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, with the 8th Cavalry Regiment in the lead, was rushed forward to reinforce the ROK units in the Unsan area. On November 1, the regiment’s 1st Battalion took up positions north of Unsan, while the 2nd Battalion moved to guard the Nammyon River valley west of town, and the 3rd Battalion was placed in reserve at the valley’s southern end. Private First Class Theodore Stanks joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and was a member of Battery C of the 99th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, Battery C was supporting the 8th Cavalry Regiment near Unsan, when it received orders to join with elements of the 3rd Battalion. While traveling down the Unsan-Ipsok road, Battery C met enemy-established roadblocks and was soon surrounded. It was at some point during this movement that PFC Stanks went missing, though specific details surrounding his loss are unknown. He was not reported as a prisoner of war and his remains have not been identified among any returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Stanks is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Wilkes Barre Times Leader