Tag: Wisconsin Wisconsin

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Nelson, Thomas Edward
Army Private 1st class

Thomas Edward Nelson, age 21, from Wisconsin, Ashland 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. Private First Class Thomas Edward Nelson, who joined the U.S. Army from Wisconsin, served with Company C, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed in action on July 9 when his unit was brought into the battle to counter-attack the Chinese troops that had overran their positions on the hill. Due to conditions on the battlefield, his body could not be immediately recovered, and U.S. forces regained control of the area where he fell. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the war. Today, Private First Class Nelson 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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Madel, Gerald Donald
Army Sergeant

Gerald Donald Madel, age 21, from Wisconsin, Winnebago county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, July 8, 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. Sergeant First Class Gerald Donald Madel, who joined the U.S. Army from Wisconsin, served with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on July 8, 1953, after he sustained serious wounds during the battle for Pork Chop Hill. SFC Madel was unable to be located following the battle, and his remains were never recovered. He is still unaccounted-for. Today, Sergeant First Class Madel 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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Schneider, Andrew
Army Sergeant

Andrew Schneider, age 24, from Wisconsin, Milwaukee county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, July 8, 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. Sergeant Andrew Schneider, who joined the U.S. Army from Wisconsin, served with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed on July 8 during the action on Pork Chop Hill. His body could not be recovered at the time due to battle conditions, and when the ceasefire was declared later that month, the area where he fell lay on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire, and he is still unaccounted for. Today, Sergeant Schneider 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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Whalen, Delbert James
Army Corporal

Delbert James Whalen, age 23, from Wisconsin, Lafayette county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, July 8, 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 Delbert James Whalen entered the U.S. Army from Wisconsin and was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action on July 8, 1950, 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 Whalen 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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Majeske, Arthur Jr.
Army Private

Arthur Jr. Majeske from Wisconsin, Milwaukee county.

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. Private First Class Arthur Majeske Jr., who joined the U.S. Army from Wisconsin, 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 was forced to march to the Apex prison camps in North Korea. He died of exhaustion and pneumonia at Hanjang-ni on January 1, 1951, and was buried at the edge of the village. His remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. Today, Private First Class Majeske 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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Oakley, Ronald Robert
Army Corporal

Ronald Robert Oakley, age 18, from Wisconsin, Outagamie 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. Sergeant Ronald Robert Oakley, who joined the U.S. Army from Wisconsin, served with I Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing in action during the CCF attacks on December 3, 1950, though specific details regarding his loss are unknown. No one saw him fall in battle, and he was never reported to be a prisoner of war. After the war, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody, and he is still unaccounted for. Today, Sergeant Oakley 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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Dupont, Donald D.
Army Private 1st class

Donald D. Dupont, age 22, from Wisconsin, Jackson county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Saturday, December 2, 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 troops stationed in the Chosin Reservoir area in northeast North Korea, resulting in a seventeen-day conflict that became known as the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. At the time of the initial CCF attack, members 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. Chinese roadblocks from Sinhung-ni to Hagaru-ri along with the constant enemy fire from the surrounding high ground, made the withdrawal route extremely dangerous. Eventually, the column was broken into separate segments, which the CCF attacked individually. Many men were lost or captured during the moving battle, with survivors reaching friendly lines in Hagaru-ri on December 2 and 3. Corporal Donald Lester Dupont, who entered the U.S. Army from Wisconsin, was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on December 2, 1950, during the withdrawal to Hagaru-ri, though specific details regarding his loss are unknown. He was never reported as a prisoner of war, and his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody after the ceasefire. He is still unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Dupont 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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Bucholtz, Edward John
Army Master sergeant

Edward John Bucholtz, age 31, from Wisconsin, Fond du Lac county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, November 29, 1950
Death details: On November 29, 1950, men from Company G of the U.S. 1st Marine Regiment, MP Company and Tank Company, 1st Marine Division, Company B and elements of Company D of the 31st Infantry Regiment, Headquarters Company of the X Corps, and Royal Marines from Number 41 Independent Commando Battalion were sent north from Koto-ri to open the main supply route to Hagaru-ri and resupply and reinforce Allied troops that had been surrounded near the Chosin Reservoir. The group, known as Task Force Drysdale, set out with tanks and other vehicles in the lead and rear, and initially only met light resistance from Chinese Communist Forces (CCF). As attacks increased in ferocity, the group became fragmented as the CCF managed to establish road blocks that further split the task force. Soon, the CCF blew a bridge and halted the convoy altogether. The Royal Marines and most of Company G were north of the bridge at this time and were able to continue to Hagaru-ri. Near the south end of the convoy, a destroyed truck blocked the road. The tanks and troops south of the destroyed truck fought as long as possible before ultimately returning to Koto-ri on November 30. The men between the blown bridge and the destroyed truck, however, were trapped, and subjected to several mortar barrages before CCF moved into hand-to-hand combat range. Fighting raged there until the morning of November 30, when the survivors were forced to surrender. Over 300 troops were wounded, captured, or died during the action. Master Sergeant Edward John Bucholtz entered the U.S. Army from Wisconsin and served in Headquarters Company, X Corps. He went missing during Task Force Drysdale’s drive from Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri, though specific details regarding his loss are unknown. No one saw him fall, and he was never reported as a prisoner of war. Attempts to locate or identify his remains following the war have been unsuccessful. Today, Master Sergeant Bucholtz 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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Alexander, Jack Duane
Army Private 1st class

Jack Duane Alexander, age 21, from Wisconsin, Marinette county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Sunday, November 19, 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 Jack Duane Alexander, who joined the U.S. Army from Wisconsin, 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 Camps near the Yalu River in North Korea. He died of exhaustion and pneumonia at a prison camp near Chunggang-jin on November 19, 1950, and was buried at the edge of the village. However, after the war, his remains were not identified among those returned to U.S. custody and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Alexander 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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Schultz, Richard Joseph
Army Private 1st class

Richard Joseph Schultz from Wisconsin, Manitowoc 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 Richard Joseph Schultz joined the U.S. Army from Wisconsin and was a member of Company K of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. On November 2, 1950, Company K was in defensive positions with the 3rd Battalion near Unsan when the 8th Cavalry Regiment was cut off from its allies during a CCF surprise attack and forced to withdraw. It was during the fighting on November 2, that CPL Schultz was captured and eventually marched northwest to the temporary prisoner of war (POW) holding site at Sambakkol, and then to Camp 5 at Old Pyoktong. A returning POW who survived his captivity reported that CPL Schultz died of malnutrition in March 1951, while held at POW Camp 5. His companions buried him on rising ground overlooking the camp, though his remains have not been recovered. Today, Corporal Schultz is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency