Otero county Colorado

Medley, Caleb
Marines Sergeant

Caleb Medley, age 26, from La Junta, Colorado, Otero county. Last known residence was in Burlington, Colorado.

Service era: Afghanistan

Parents: George and Diane Homm

Schools: Burlington schools (2005)

Military history: Enlisted in May 2015.

Date of death: Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Death details: Killed in a skydiving training accident at Perris Valley Airport, California. His parachute failed to open.

Source: National Military Examiner, Daily Mail, Marine Corps Times, Love Funeral Home

Tarwater, Wilbur Thomas
Navy Seaman

Wilbur Thomas Tarwater, age 20, from Colorado, Otero county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, June 12, 1951
Death details: Killed aboard the destroyer USS Walke which was was providing anti-submarine protection to carriers from Task Force 77 off the east coast of Wonsan, North Korea, when it was struck on the port side by an enemy mine or torpedo. The force of the explosion tossed many sailors into the water, and those who were injured had a difficult time staying afloat while they waited for rescue. Twenty-six sailors were killed in the explosion and forty were wounded.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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