Donny Lynn Tucker, age 19, from Stanfield, North Carolina, Stanly county.
Parents: Ira M. Tucker
Service era: Vietnam
Date of death: Saturday, October 10, 1970
Death details: Died from wounds
Source: National Archives, Raleigh News and Observer (1970)
Harold Philip Fesperman, age 21, from Albemarle, North Carolina, Stanly county.
Parents: William F. Fesperman
Service era: Vietnam
Date of death: Saturday, February 14, 1970
Death details: Killed in action in Vietnam
Source: National Archives, Associated Press (1970)
Raeford L. Morton, age 21, from Stanly County Albemarie, North Carolina .
Parents: U.P. Morton
Service era: Korea
Date of death: Tuesday, July 14, 1953
Death details: On July 13, 1953, the U.S. Army’s 555th Field Artillery Battalion was positioned to support the Republic of Korea (ROK) 6th Division along a stretch of line known as the Kumsong Salient, when the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) launched a massive night attack. The 555th Field Artillery continued to fire in support of the ROK forces during the initial stage of the attack, despite coming under heavy enemy artillery fire themselves. However, early on July 14, CCF troops penetrated the ROK lines and were able to attack the 555th’s own positions. Several battery positions were overrun by the numerically superior attackers before a withdrawal order was received. By that point, few men were actually able to withdraw. Some managed to evade enemy forces and work their way back to friendly lines over the following days, but a number of the 555th Field Artillery’s men were captured by the enemy or went missing. The battlefield now lies on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea. Corporal Raeford Lee Morton, who entered the U.S. Army from North Carolina, served with Battery C, 555th Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He was with his fellow members of Battery C at the time of the CCF attack on July 14, 1953, and was reported missing following the incident. His remains were not recovered at the time, and subsequent search efforts have been impeded by the fact that the loss area now lies in North Korean territory. Today, Corporal Morton is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Charlotte Observer (1953)
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
Edward Everett Talbert, age 19, from Valdese, North Carolina, Stanly county.
Spouse: Ruby Metcalf Echols
Service era: World War II
Date of death: Sunday, December 7, 1941
Death details: accounted for on Aug. 5, 2021. On Dec. 7, 1941, Talbert was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Talbert.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Edward Everett Talbert, age 19, from Stanly County Valdese, North Carolina .
Spouse: Ruby Metcalf Echols
Service era: World War II
Date of death: Sunday, December 7, 1941
Death details: accounted for on Aug. 5, 2021. On Dec. 7, 1941, Talbert was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Talbert.
Source: National Archives
Edward Everett Talbert, age 19, from Stanly County Valdese, North Carolina .
Spouse: Ruby Metcalf Echols
Service era: World War II
Date of death: Sunday, December 7, 1941
Death details: accounted for on Aug. 5, 2021. On Dec. 7, 1941, Talbert was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Talbert.
Source: National Archives