Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

McDonnell, John Michael
Army Corporal

John Michael McDonnell, age 22, from Pennsylvania, Philadelphia county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, September 4, 1951
Death details: On September 3, 1950, the 8th Cavalry Regiment and the 2nd Engineer Battalion, both elements of the 1st Cavalry Division, were holding a defensive line between Tabu-dong and Taegu at the upper end of the Naktong Perimeter. Company F of the 8th Cavalry, defending Hill 448, was attacked by elements of North Korea’s 13th Infantry Division and forced to retreat to Hill 449, defended by Company G of the 8th Cavalry. The 8th Cavalry Regiment found itself cut off from its supply train and withdrew from the area to keep from being surrounded by the enemy. Upon reaching the village of Tabu-dong, members of Companies D and E of the 8th Cavalry became involved in hut-to-hut fighting before they could retreat. Meanwhile, elements of the 2nd Engineer Battalion, which had been ordered to take and hold Hill 755, were also forced to withdraw. United States forces did not re-take this territory until September 21, 1950. Sergeant First Class John Michael McDonnell, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with D Company, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. His unit supported the 8th Cavalry Regiment during the battle for Hill 755, and he went missing during the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the area. He is believed to have been taken prisoner by North Korean soldiers and died as he was marched north into North Korean territory. His remains have not been recovered. Today, Sergeant First Class McDonnell is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Srogoncik, George James
Army Private 1st class

George James Srogoncik from Pennsylvania, Westmoreland county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, July 8, 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. Corporal George James Srogoncik joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and was a member of L Company, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by North Korean forces during the action around Chochiwon. Following his capture, he was marched to the “Apex Camps” in the northern part of North Korea, near the Yalu River. Corporal Srogoncik died of illness at one of the Apex Camps on July 8, 1951. His remains have not been recovered or identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the conflict’s ceasefire. Today, Corporal Srogoncik is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Brindel Jr., Clyde Wilbur
Army Sergeant

Clyde Wilbur Brindel Jr., age 21, from Pennsylvania, Philadelphia county.

Parents: Clyde W. Brindel

Service era: Korea
Schools: Germantown High

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. Sergeant First Class Clyde Wilbur Brindel Jr. entered the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania and was a member of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, 24th Infantry Division. He went missing on April 25, as members of the 5th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) were providing rear guard cover during this withdrawal action, 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. since the ceasefire. He remains unaccounted for. Today, Sergeant First Class Brindel is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Philadelphia Inquirer (1954)

Smith, William Leon
Army Private 1st class

William Leon Smith from Pennsylvania, York county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, February 20, 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. Corporal William Leon Smith, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with I Company, 3rd 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 malnutrition at the camp at Hanjang-ni on February 20, 1951. Although he was buried near the camp, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Smith is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Fine, Richard Melvin
Army Private 1st class

Richard Melvin Fine from Pennsylvania, Washington county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Saturday, January 27, 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. Corporal Richard Melvin Fine, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 12, 1950, near Chochiwon, and forced to march north to the Apex prison camps in North Korea. He died of exhaustion and pneumonia on January 27, 1951, at the camp in Hanjang-ni and was buried near the edge of the village. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Fine is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Beahm, Thomas John
Army Private

Thomas John Beahm from Pennsylvania, Northampton county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Tuesday, January 16, 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. Private First Class Thomas John Beahm, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 12, 1950, near Chochiwon and forced to march to a prison camp at the village of Hanjang-ni near the Yalu River. He died there on January 16, 1951, of exhaustion, malnutrition, and pneumonia, and was buried at the edge of the village. After the war, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Private First Class Beahm is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Benner, Warren Wallace
Army Private

Warren Wallace Benner from Pennsylvania, Delaware county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Monday, January 8, 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. Private First Class Warren Wallace Benner, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 12, 1950, near Chochiwon and forced to march north to the Apex prison camps on the south bank of the Yalu River. He died of exhaustion and pneumonia on January 8, 1951, shortly after reaching the camp at Hanju-ni, and was buried near the edge of the village. After the war, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody. Today, Private First Class Benner is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Funa, John Francis
Army Private 1st class

John Francis Funa from Pennsylvania, Allegheny county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Friday, January 5, 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. Corporal John Francis Funa, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 12, near Chochiwon and forced to march north to the Apex prison camps in North Korea. He died of exhaustion and pneumonia on January 5, 1951 in the camp near Hanjang-ni, and was buried on the edge of the village. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the cease fire. Today, Corporal Funa is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Gearhart, William Restford
Army Private

William Restford Gearhart from Pennsylvania, Northampton county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, January 3, 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. Private First Class William Restford Gearhart, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, served with M Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was captured by enemy forces on July 12, near Chochiwon, and was forced to march north to the Apex prison camps in North Korea. Witnesses reported that he died of exhaustion, exposure and dysentery on January 3, 1951 at Chunggang-jin and was buried near the village. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Gearhart is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Hoak, Charles Russell
Army Private 1st class

Charles Russell Hoak from Pennsylvania, Allegheny county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, December 7, 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 Charles Russell Hoak, who joined the U.S. Army from Pennsylvania, 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 a series of delaying actions between Pyongtaek and Chochiwon. He was forced to march north to the Apex prison camps in North Korea, where he died of malnutrition and pneumonia on December 7 at the camp at Hanjang-ni. Although he was buried nearby, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Corporal Hoak 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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