Tommy A. Blue, age 33, from North Carolina.
Service era: Gulf War
Date of death: Sunday, December 30, 1990
Cemetery: Fort Bragg Post Cemetery
Source: White House Commission on Remembrance, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, findagrave.com
Clyde Lawrence Norman, age 20, from North Carolina, Washington 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 Clyde Lawrence Norman entered the U.S. Army from North Carolina and was a member of Company C of the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On July 9, 1950, he was reported missing in action 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, Corporal Norman is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
J. S. Silvers from North Carolina, Yancey county.
Service era: Korea
Date of death: Tuesday, July 7, 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 J.S. Silvers, who joined the U.S. Army from North Carolina, served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 6 when Chinese troops overran his unit’s position on the slopes of Pork Chop Hill. He was not seen to fall in battle and was never reported as a prisoner of war. Tactical conditions precluded an immediate search for his remains and the area of his loss became part of the Demilitarized Zone after the ceasefire and was given a presumptive finding of death on July 7, 1954. Today, Private First Class Silvers is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives
Mark Braswell Bulluck, age 21, from North Carolina, Edgecombe 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. Private First Class Mark Braswell Bulluck, who joined the U.S. Army from North Carolina, served with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on October 24 as his unit fought Chinese troops on Hill 598. No one saw him fall in battle and he was not reported to be a prisoner of war. U.S. forces did not regain control of the area where he fell, which precluded a search for him. After the ceasefire, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Private First Class Bulluck is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Bobby Miller from North Carolina, Haywood county.
Service era: Korea
Date of death: Wednesday, April 25, 1951
Death details: On April 25, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division, including the 21st Infantry Regiment and the 5th Regimental Combat Team, which was attached to the division at the time, were dug into positions north of Seoul, South Korea, where massive Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped after their previous attempts to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. The CCF launched a renewed offensive against these positions, and despite fierce resistance, could not be stopped. Full enemy divisions were committed in succession, passing around or through their own lines to engage severely outnumbered friendly forces. For several miles, a withdrawal by stages unfolded. Artillery and tanks covered movement after movement, using slight rises in terrain to their full defensive value. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties and had many men captured during these successive rear guard actions. Private First Class Bobby Miller, who joined the U.S. Army from North Carolina, was a member of A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. He was captured during the fighting near Seoul on April 25 and was forced to march north, eventually arriving at Camp 1, a holding camp on the bank of the Yalu River. In September 1951, PFC Miller died of illness and injuries, and was buried near the camp hospital. His remains have not been recovered or identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Private First Class Miller is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
John W. Uptegrove, age 27, from North Carolina, Duplin county.
Service era: Korea
Date of death: Monday, April 23, 1951
Death details: On April 22, 1951, elements of the 24th Infantry Division along with the 5th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) were dug into positions near Seoul, South Korea, where the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) had regrouped and begun a large-scale effort to penetrate the valley areas east of Seoul. Just prior to the main CCF offensive, the 5th RCT was executing part of a blocking action known as Operation Dauntless, in which its 1st and 2nd Battalions launched an attack against CCF forces in the Chorwon Valley to the north. They pushed the enemy out of the area and set up defensive positions, but the CCF soon regrouped and returned with a massive counterattack. While this assault was repelled, heavy pressure over the next eight days forced the 24th Infantry Division, along with the 5th RCT, to gradually fall back to stronger positions. The U.S. units suffered heavy casualties over the course of the fighting and withdrawal. Private First Class John William Uptegrove, who joined the U.S. Army from North Carolina, served with A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division. He was reported missing during this action on April 23 near the village of Udam-Jang. He was not seen to fall in battle and he was not reported to be a prisoner of war. After the territory where he disappeared returned to U.S. military control, numerous searches were conducted for his remains, but all were unsuccessful. Today, Private First Class Uptegrove is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Worth Lamar Bunting from North Carolina.
Service era: Korea
Date of death: Monday, January 1, 1951
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. Sergeant Worth Lamar Bunting, who joined the U.S. Army from North Carolina, served with L Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 11, near Chochiwon and was forced to march north to the Apex camps near the Yalu River in North Korea. He died of malnutrition and pneumonia on an unspecified date in January, 1951, at the prison camp in Hanjang-ni and was buried near the camp. After the war, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Sergeant Bunting is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Melvin Hampton Morgan from North Carolina, Stanly county.
Service era: Korea
Date of death: Wednesday, December 6, 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 Melvin Hampton Morgan, who joined the U.S. Army from North Carolina, served with L Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 11 as his unit fought delaying actions between Pyongtaek and Chochiwon. He was marched north to the Apex prison camps in North Korea, and died of malnutrition at the Hanjang-ni camp on December 6, 1950. Although he was buried nearby, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Morgan is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Linwood Fred Daniel Wilson, age 19, from North Carolina, Person 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. Private First Class Linwood Fred Daniel Wilson entered the U.S. Army from North Carolina and served with Company B of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 1, 1950, Company B was in defensive positions with the 1st Battalion near Unsan when it came under attack and was forced to withdraw. Private First Class Wilson went missing during this combat, though circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. He was never reported as a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to the U.S. following the war. Today, Private First Class Wilson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Vernon Damon Stallings from North Carolina, Cleveland county.
Service era: Korea
Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 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. Private Vernon Damon Stallings, who joined the U.S. Army from North Carolina, served with B Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces north of Chochiwon on July 12 and forced to march to the Apex prison camps in North Korea. He died of exhaustion and malnutrition at a temporary camp near Manpo on November 2, and was buried near the camp. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Private Stallings is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency