Michigan Michigan

Thibert, Allen George
Army Private

Allen George Thibert, age 20, from Michigan, Wayne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, July 10, 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 First Class Allen George Thibert, who joined the U.S. Army from Michigan, served with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 10 as his unit fought Chinese troops for control of Pork Chop Hill. He was not seen to fall in battle, and conditions on the battlefield prevented a search for him. He was not reported to be a prisoner of war, and the area of his loss became part of the Demilitarized Zone after the ceasefire. On July 11, 1954, the Army declared him dead by presumptive finding. Today, Private First Class Thibert is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Hill, Richard E.
Army Private 1st class

Richard E. Hill, age 21, from Michigan, Ottawa county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, July 9, 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 Richard Edward Hill, who joined the U.S. Army from Michigan, served with the Medical Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing on July 9 as his unit fought Chinese troops for control of Pork Chop Hill. No one saw him fall in battle and conditions on the battlefield prevented search efforts at the time. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Hill is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Kurts, Arthur Roy
Army Private

Arthur Roy Kurts, age 26, from Michigan, Osceola county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, July 9, 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 First Class Arthur Roy Kurts, who joined the U.S. Army from Michigan, served with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 9, 1953, during the CCF attack on Pork Chop Hill. His remains were not recovered following the battle and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private First Class Kurts is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Lesniewski, Frank
Army Private 1st class

Frank Lesniewski, age 21, from Michigan, Wayne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, July 9, 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 Frank Lesniewski entered the U.S. Army from Michigan and was a member of Company C of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action at Pork Chop Hill on July 9, 1950, though exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to the U.S. following the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Lesniewski is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Kowalko, Edward M.
Army Private

Edward M. Kowalko, age 25, from Michigan, Kent county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, July 8, 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 First Class Edward Michael Kowalko entered the U.S. Army from Michigan and was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 8, 1950, during the fighting at Pork Chop Hill, though exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to the U.S. following the ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Kowalko is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Vetowich, Donald Hentry
Army Private

Donald Hentry Vetowich, age 20, from Michigan, Wayne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, July 8, 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 First Class Donald Henry Vetowich, who joined the U.S. Army from Michigan, served with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 8 as his unit fought Chinese troops for control of Pork Chop Hill. No one saw him fall in battle, tactical conditions precluded a search for him, and he was never reported to be a prisoner of war. The area of his loss became part of the Demilitarized Zone after the ceasefire, and his remains were not identified among those later returned to U.S. custody. Today, Private First Class Vetowich is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Driver, James
Army Private 1st class

James Driver, age 22, from Michigan, Wayne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Saturday, October 25, 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. Private First Class James Driver, who joined the U.S. Army from Michigan, served with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed on October 25 as his unit engaged Chinese Communist troops near Pike’s Peak during the Battle of Triangle Hill. Conditions on the battlefield prevented the immediate recovery of his body, and U.S. forces did not again control the area where he fell, which is now in the Demilitarized Zone. Today, Private First Class Driver is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Stewart, Robert Edwin
Army Private 1st class

Robert Edwin Stewart from Michigan, Wayne county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, December 26, 1950
Death details: On July 11, 1950, the U.S. Army’s 21st Infantry Regiment, which had arrived in Korea six days earlier, was placed in defensive positions near the town of Chochiwon, South Korea. The regiment was not at full strength and lacked artillery and anti-tank weapons. That day, they were attacked by North Korean forces and were forced to withdraw to avoid being surrounded, as well as to buy time until they could be reinforced and resupplied. Corporal Robert Edwin Stewart, who joined the U.S. Army from Michigan, served with L Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces as his unit fought a series of delaying actions between Pyongtaek and Chochiwon, and forced to march to the Apex prison camps in North Korea. He died of malnutrition at the camp at Hanjang-ni on December 26, and was buried near the camp by his companions. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Stewart is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Durfee, Lamont J.
Army Sergeant 1st class

Lamont J. Durfee, age 30, from Michigan, Mason county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, December 3, 1950
Death details: On the evening of November 27, 1950, Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) launched a massive attack against the U.S. and United Nations (UN) troops stationed in the Chosin Reservoir area in north-east North Korea. The resulting seventeen-day conflict became known as the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. At the time of the initial CCF attack, members of the U.S. Army’s 31st and 32nd Infantry Regiments were defending the area north of Sinhung-ni, on the east side of the reservoir. The defenders were overwhelmed by the numerically superior CCF, and on December 1 were forced to withdraw to friendly lines at Hagaru-ri. Many men were lost or captured during the withdraw, with survivors reaching friendly lines in Hagaru-ri on December 2 and 3. Once at Hagaru-ri, the survivors of the withdrawal manned a section of the perimeter near East Hill, a strong defensive position overlooking the town. On the night of December 3, the Chinese attacked the Hagaru-ri perimeter and overwhelmed the defenders there. Many Americans were killed or went missing during these actions. Master Sergeant Lamont J. Durfee, who joined the U.S. Army from Arizona, served with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on December 3, 1950, during the CCF attack, though specific details regarding his loss are unknown. No one saw him fall, and he was never reported to be a prisoner of war. After the war, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Master Sergeant Durfee is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Nelson, Charles Tobias
Army Corporal

Charles Tobias Nelson, age 21, from Michigan, Kent county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, December 3, 1950
Death details: On the evening of November 27, 1950, Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) launched a massive attack against the U.S. and United Nations (UN) troops stationed in the Chosin Reservoir area in north-east North Korea. The resulting seventeen-day conflict became known as the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. At the time of the initial CCF attack, members of the U.S. Army’s 31st and 32nd Infantry Regiments were defending the area north of Sinhung-ni, on the east side of the reservoir. The defenders were overwhelmed by the numerically superior CCF, and on December 1 were forced to withdraw to friendly lines at Hagaru-ri. Many men were lost or captured during the withdraw, with survivors reaching friendly lines in Hagaru-ri on December 2 and 3. Once at Hagaru-ri, the survivors of the withdrawal manned a section of the perimeter near East Hill, a strong defensive position overlooking the town. On the night of December 3, the Chinese attacked the Hagaru-ri perimeter and overwhelmed the defenders there. Many Americans were killed or went missing during these actions. Sergeant Charles Tobias Nelson entered the U.S. Army from Michigan and served with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On December 3, he went missing in action during the combat at Hagaru-ri near East Hill, though specific details regarding his loss are unknown. His remains have not been identified among any of those later returned to U.S. custody, and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Sergeant Nelson 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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