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Moles, Wendel Robert
Army Private 1st class

Wendel Robert Moles, age 19, from West Virginia, Kanawha county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, October 16, 1952
Death details: On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle. Corporal Wendel Robert Moles entered the U.S. Army from West Virginia and served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action following the attack on Hill 598 on October 16, 1952, though the exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. Corporal Moles was never reported to be a prisoner of war. He was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Moles is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Lewis, Willie Encil
Navy Fireman

Willie Encil Lewis from West Virginia, Hancock county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, March 2, 1952
Death details: On March 2, 1952, a Landing Craft Personnel, Large (LCPL) departed the USS Chittenden County (LST-561) in the Yellow Sea off the western coast of North Korea. The LCPL was carrying nine U.S. service members and three Allied service members on a reconnaissance mission to investigate a small island near the 38th Parallel. While heading toward the mission area, the surf became too rough and the LCPL turned back, but it never returned to the Chittenden County. There were no reported communications following the landing craft’s withdrawal from the mission area. Three to four days later, clothing and pieces of the LCPL were found and the discovery of this floating debris led the U.S. Navy to determine that the crew was lost in the location of the island of Yonp’yong Do, where enemy guerrillas had been active on March 2. Of the nine U.S. service members on board, the body of one U.S. Army officer washed ashore on a small island off the west coast of the Korean peninsula and was recovered; however, the eleven others on board were not found. Fireman Willis Encil Lewis entered the U.S. Navy from West Virginia and served aboard the Chittenden County. He was a crew member aboard this LCPL when it went missing and was lost with the vessel. He remains unaccounted for. Today, Fireman Lewis is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Lohr, Robert Franklin
Army Corporal

Robert Franklin Lohr, age 20, from West Virginia, Logan 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. Corporal Robert Franklin Lohr, who joined the U.S. Army from West Virginia, served with M Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed in action near Hagaru-ri on December 3, 1950, as his unit, part of the 31st Regimental Combat Team, worked with American Marines to establish a defensive line around the town. His body could not be immediately recovered, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody following the war. Today, Corporal Lohr is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Johnson, George Warren
Army Corporal

George Warren Johnson, age 22, from West Virginia, Cabell county.

Service era: Korea
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment

Date of death: Monday, November 27, 1950
Death details: On November 27, 1950, B Company of the U.S. Army’s 35th Infantry Regiment, an element of Task Force Dolvin/Wilson, was holding a hastily erected defensive position near the village of Tong-dong, North Korea, when Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) attacked the company’s perimeter from two sides. After heavy fighting, the Chinese successfully infiltrated the American positions, forcing a withdrawal under heavy mortar and artillery fire. The U.S. troops pulled back to another position a mile farther south. Sergeant George Warren Johnson entered the U.S. Army from West Virginia and served with B Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was killed during this action near Unsan on November 27, 1950. His body was not recovered at the time of his loss, and he was not identified among the remains returned to the U.S. following the ceasefire. He is still unaccounted-for. Today, Sergeant Warren is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Bias, Donald Gene
Army Private 1st class

Donald Gene Bias, age 18, from West Virginia, Lincoln 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. Corporal Donald G. Bias, who joined the U.S. Army from West Virginia, was a member of Company L of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, Company L occupying defense positions with the 3rd Battalion near Unsan when it was attacked and forced to withdraw back to the 3rd Battalion’s command post. The 3rd Battalion soon became surrounded, formed a defense perimeter and held off several Chinese assaults for two more days before being overrun. It was during this battle that CPL Bias became missing. Specific details regarding his loss are unknown, and he was never reported as a prisoner of war. Further attempts to locate and identify his remains have been unsuccessful. Today, Corporal Bias is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Collins, William Kelly
Army Private

William Kelly Collins, age 21, from West Virginia, Mercer 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 William Kelly Collins, who joined the U.S. Army from Virginia, was a member of the Headquarters Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. By midnight on November 1, the 8th Cavalry Regiment was forced to withdraw from the Unsan area to Ipsok to avoid encirclement by the enemy. The CCF had thoroughly infiltrated the road leaving Unsan, and they fired upon the retreating men and set up roadblocks to impede them. Private First Class Collins went missing during this battle. He was never reported as a prisoner of war, and he remains unaccounted for. Today, Private First Class Collins is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Dotson, Dallas Morris
Army 2nd lieutenant

Dallas Morris Dotson, age 30, from West Virginia, Wood 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. First Lieutenant Dallas M. Dotson, who joined the U.S. Army from West Virginia, was a member of Company B of the 70th Tank Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, and his platoon was attached to the 3rd Battalion of the 8th Cavalry Regiment. On November 1, the CCF engaged in a sneak attack on U.S. forces in defensive positions near Unsan. Despite fierce resistance, the American battalions were forced to withdraw. Strong Chinese presence in the area cut off the 3rd Battalion from its exit routes so members formed two pockets of resistance, holding out against the CCF before being overrun two days later. A majority of the trapped men were killed, wounded, or captured, with the remainder escaping in small groups. Witness reports indicate 1LT Dotson was last seen November 2, after being badly wounded in an early morning CCF assault on the 3rd Battalion’s position. His body was not identified from the remains that the North Koreans returned to U.S. custody. Today, First Lieutenant Dotson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Horner, Hamilton Perry
Army Private 1st class

Hamilton Perry Horner, age 18, from West Virginia, Berkeley 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. Corporal Hamilton Perry Horner joined the U.S. Army from West Virginia and served with Headquarters Company of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, Headquarters Company was near Unsan with the 3rd Battalion Command Post when they came under heavy attacks and received orders to withdraw. The withdrawing units were eventually surrounded and besieged by CCF and took cover in foxholes or behind bunkers. Corporal Horner was reported missing during this action and could not be located following the incident, though specific details surrounding his loss are unknown. After the war, returned American POWs reported that CPL Horner had been killed in action. His remains were not recovered, and he was not identified among the remains returned to the U.S. following the armistice. Today, Corporal Horner is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

King, James Earl
Army Sergeant

James Earl King, age 19, from West Virginia, Kanawha county.

Parents: Luther King

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. Sergeant First Class James Earl King, who joined the U.S. Army from Ohio, was a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. By midnight on November 1, 1950, the 8th Cavalry Regiment was forced to withdraw from the Unsan area to avoid encirclement by the enemy. While leaving the area north of Unsan, C Company was attacked by an enemy force. After fighting through, they joined the rest of the 1st Battalion as they passed through Unsan, which the CCF had thoroughly infiltrated. The enemy established roadblocks on the road out of Unsan, and launched persistent attacks against the withdrawing troops. Sergeant First Class King was killed in action during this battle. The exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown, and his remains have not been recovered. Today, Sergeant First Class King is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Chillicothe Gazette (1950), Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Moore, Harold Bland
Army Private 1st class

Harold Bland Moore, age 19, from West Virginia, Wood county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, November 2, 1950
Death details: On November 23, 2010, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC, now DPAA) identified the remains of Corporal Harold Bland Moore, missing from the Korean War. Corporal Moore entered the U.S. Army from West Virginia and served with Company C of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On or about November 2, 1950, CPL Moore and members of Company C were supporting elements of the 1st Cavalry Division along the Kuryong River, near Unsan, North Korea, when Chinese Communist Forces struck. The 1st Cavalry Division’s lines collapsed, forcing a withdrawal, and CPL Moore did not survive the action. His body was not recovered at the time. In 2001, a joint U.S./North Korean investigative team excavated a common grave discovered near Unsan, just south of the area where CPL Moore was last seen in combat. The team recovered human remains as well as military equipment, and U.S. analysts eventually identified CPL Moore from these remains.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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