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 The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Illinois Department of
Veterans' Affairs, Illinois Korean Memorial Association, and the
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, along with media
partners the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois
Broadcasters Association, are sponsoring "Illinois Remembers the
Forgotten War." For more information, visit
www.illinois-history.gov
or
www.veterans.illinois.gov.
Illinoisans killed in action in Korea,
July 1953
By county of residence
(Source: U.S. Department of Defense records)
Adams:
- Pfc. James B. Upschulte, Marines, July 9.
Alexander:
- Pfc. Lacy L. Sullivan, Army, July 28.
Carroll:
- Pfc. Robert L. Bucher, Army, July 23.
Christian:
- Capt. John K. Rhoads, Air Force, July 27.
Cook:
-
Cpl. Edward C. Anderson, Marines, July 25.
-
Cpl. Howard Beard Jr., Army, July 17.
-
2nd Lt. Robert Braithwaite, Army, July 14.
-
Pfc. Thomas P. Darcy, Army, July 18.
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Pfc. Francis C. Doogan, Army, July 10.
-
Pvt. John A. Esposito, Army, July 18.
-
Pfc. Robert J. Fitzgerald, Marines, July 25.
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Pvt. Robert E. Hill, Army, July 8.
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Sgt. Major A. Johnson, Army, July 8.
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Pfc. Albert Kirk Jr., Army, July 8.
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Pfc. John R. Lang, Marines, July 25.
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Pfc. Thomas Lowe, Army, July 18.
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Cpl. Donald Mayerhofer, Army, July 11.
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Pfc. James F. Morrison, Marines, July 12.
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Pfc. William J. Notter, Army, July 7.
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Pfc. Jerry O. Novak, Army, July 13.
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Pfc. Louis J. Panacek, Army, July 8.
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1st Lt. Richard C. Pappin, Army, July 24.
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Pfc. John C. Pavlak, Marines, July 24.
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Pvt. Lowell E. Richards, Army, July 15.
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Pfc. James Schillicutt, Army, July 9.
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Pfc. Donald Therkelsen, Army, July 17.
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Pfc. Oliver Wynne, Army, July 11.
DuPage:
- Pfc. Claude C. Timmons Jr., Army, July 18.
Effingham:
- Pvt. Louis G. Nuxoll, Army, July 19.
Kane:
-
Pvt. Willard F. Schuldt, Army, July 11.
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Pfc. Truman D. Trowbridge, Marines, July 25.
Knox:
- Cpl. Robert P. Heflin, Army, July 14.
Lake:
- Pfc. Emmett McAlister, Army, July 8.
LaSalle:
- Pvt. Willard V. Norwick, Army, July 8.
Lee:
- Sgt. Robert A. Missman, Marines, July 26.
Macon:
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Pfc. Victor J. Rosetto, Marines, July 19.
-
Pfc. Roger L. Uhll, Marines, July 24.
Macoupin:
- Pvt. Robert Conder, Army, July 9.
Madison:
-
2nd Lt. Paul O. Parkhurst, Army, July 14.
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Pvt. James Terrell Jr., Army, July 7.
McHenry:
- 2nd Lt. Frank V. Aston, Army, July 24.
Ogle:
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Pfc. Harold B. Smith, Marines, July 28.
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Pvt. Robert L. Kappenman, Army, July 17.
Peoria:
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Pvt. Donald D. Fislar, Army, July 19.
-
Cpl. Leonard G. Lee, Army, July 10.
Pike:
- Pfc. Howard W. Niemeyer, Army, July 27.
Pulaski:
-
1st Lt. William J. Allison, Army, July 7.
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Pfc. Robert S. Rodgers, Army, July 7.
Randolph:
- Pvt. Fred G. Voss, Army, July 9.
St. Clair:
- Cpl. Wilbur T. Barbeau, Marines, July 24.
Stephenson:
- Pvt. John L. Hellman, Marines, July 20.
Tazewell:
- 1st Lt. Wilson A. Frease, Marines, July 18.
Union:
- Pfc. Omar F. Wooldridge, Marines, July 20.
Vermilion:
- Pfc. John F. Grovier, Army, July 27.
Will:
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Pfc. Richard G. Kreml, Army, July 14.
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Pfc. Glenn R. Mackley, Army, July 7.
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Pfc. James E. Molton, Army, July 5.
Winnebago:
- Pvt. Harold H. Thorne, Army, July 15.
Key events during the Korean War,
July 1953
The brutal war in Korean was nearing its end in July 1953. Two
great armies were deadlocked along a line of rugged mountains that
stretched across the waist of the Korean peninsula. The armistice
talks at Panmunjom resumed in July after U.S. President Dwight D.
Eisenhower guaranteed a mutual defense pact with South Korea and
assured the country of long-term U.S. economic and military aid.
This caused a reluctant South Korean President Syngman Rhee, a major
opponent of an armistice, to write to Eisenhower on July 12 that he
"would not obstruct in any way the implementation of the terms of
the armistice." Talks resumed, and shortly thereafter both sides
agreed to an armistice that would begin with a ceasefire at 11:01
p.m. local time on July 27.
With an end in sight, the war intensified with a new fury as
Communist forces sought to gain as much ground as possible before a
cease-fire, with United Nations forces determined to deny them. On
July 6 the Chinese once again attacked the U.S. 7th Infantry
Division on Pork Chop Hill. Unlike the previous battles for this
bloody piece of real estate, the Americans were unable to dislodge
the Chinese once they had seized the hill. Eighth U.S. Army Cmdr.
Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor felt the casualties American forces had
suffered were not worth the tactical value of Pork Chop Hill, and on
July 11 the hill was abandoned to the enemy. Two weeks later it
became part of the demilitarized zone separating North and South
Korea.
The last Communist offensive of the war occurred July 13-20 near
the Kumsong River when six divisions were launched at the U.S. IX
Corps, comprising the 3rd, 40th and 45th Infantry divisions.
Additional American units were sent in to help blunt the Communist
attack. Heavy fighting and casualties ensued with no significant
gains made by either side.
The final U.S. ground combat of the war started July 24 when
3,000 Communist soldiers attacked the "Boulder City" area held by
the 7th and 1st Marine regiments. The last Marine ground actions of
the war were fought on July 27 at Hills 111 and 119. An F-86 pilot
downed an enemy transport near the Manchurian border on July 27 in
the last air action of the war.
An eerie calm descended on Korea the evening of July 27 when the
armistice took effect. It provided for an armed truce, a prisoner of
war exchange and a demilitarized zone separating North and South
Korea. The last, poignant act of the war was the prisoner exchange
at Panmunjom in August, with 12,773 U.N. prisoners (including 3,597
Americans) crossing the DMZ to freedom, and 75,823 Communist
prisoners heading north to an uncertain future. More than 3,000
Americans, nearly 43 percent of those captured, never returned from
captivity. Most had died of starvation and exposure during their
first hellish winter in captivity.
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 This armed truce has continued now for 60 years, and the DMZ, as
the demilitarized zone is called, remains one of the world's most
heavily fortified and defended areas. Korea remains a divided
country to this day, with a vibrant and modern democracy south of
the DMZ, and perhaps the most repressive society in the world on the
north side. The contrast between the two Koreas could not be more
extreme. And after 60 years of a fragile peace, the focus of the
world is once again on North Korea, and especially on its insecure
and unpredictable young premier, Kim Jong Un. Indeed, on March 11
Premier Kim announced that the armistice agreement was invalid.
After 60 years, we are left to wonder if the last chapter of the
Korean War has even been written.
A total of 628,833 United Nations soldiers were killed during the
Korean War; Communist losses are estimated at as much as twice that
number, although accurate figures have never been given. There were
an estimated 1.4 million civilian casualties, and approximately 2.4
million Koreans became refugees as a result of the fighting. The
United States had 54,246 soldiers killed, 8,177 missing and 103,284
wounded. A total of 1,754 Illinois residents were killed during the
war in Korea.
60th anniversary Korean War National Museum events in Springfield
Illinois veterans have been providing their accounts and
histories of the Korean War through the speaker series of the Korean
War National Museum in Springfield.
Events are planned to honor the July 27, 1953, armistice and the
brave men and women who served in the conflict. Speakers currently
scheduled to talk at the Korean War National Museum are Edmund
Wehrle, Ph.D., on Aug. 31 and Floyd Cooper, a retired Marine, on
Sept. 14, both at 2 p.m.
Dr. Wehrle, associate professor of history at Eastern Illinois
University, specializes in American international relations history
and serves as the department's graduate coordinator. He will discuss
diplomacy during the war, including the state of affairs before the
war and the diplomatic climate among the nations involved.
Cooper served in the Korean War as a heavy machine gunner in the
weapons company of the 3rd Battalion of the 5th Regiment of the 1st
Marine Division. While in Korea he was stationed between Seoul and
the 38th Parallel in 1952. Cooper is a current member of the Korean
War Veterans Association.
Additionally, the movie "Chosin" will be shown at the Illinois
State Museum's Thorne Deuel Auditorium on July 27 at 7 p.m. The
Brian Iglesias documentary is about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, a
decisive battle in the Korean War, a brutal 17-day encounter in
subzero weather in the winter of 1950 in which United Nations
troops nicknamed the "The Chosin Few," including U.S. soldiers and
Marines, were encircled and outnumbered by Chinese troops.
Both the physical and virtual museums aim to bring to life the
stories of individuals who served and partnered with nations around
the world, providing insight to the challenges and accomplishments
of the allied nations that fought against communist aggression. The
Korean War National Museum further strives to recognize how the
United Nations, United States, Republic of Korea, the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea and China negotiated the armistice.
Since that negotiation, much has changed. Communism has been
deterred, the Republic of Korea has become a strong ally and example
of democracy, American men and women of all races and backgrounds
proudly serve side by side, and jet fighter aircraft technology
pioneered back then advanced our military strength. South Korea has
become a beacon of freedom and democracy in Southeast Asia and a
world economic power with companies like Hyundai, Samsung, LG and
Daewoo impacting technology and daily lives.
The Korean War National Museum is a is a nonpartisan, nonprofit
organization with a mission to help people better understand and
appreciate the service, sacrifices and success of the American,
South Korean and Allied personnel during the Korean War.
The KWNM
operates the Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, located on the historic
Old State Capitol Plaza in Springfield. This 10,000-square-foot
facility has an interactive and professionally developed exhibit of
items, artifacts, weapons, art, photographs and materials intended
to help visitors gain an understanding of and appreciation for the
services, sacrifices and successes of the American, South Korean and
Allied forces who served in the Korean War. The Freedom Center is
open with published hours and free admission. School groups, youth
groups and civic groups are welcome. Call 217-523-7230.
The Korean War National Museum continues to plan and prepare for
the construction of permanent museum space and welcomes donors,
sponsors or interested individuals to contact them or support the
fundraising activities. The KWNM is a 501(c)(3) charitable
organization. All contributions are deductible to the extent
allowable by law.
For more information, visit the Korean War National Museum at 9
Old State Capitol Plaza in Springfield or visit
http://www.kwnm.org/.
Korean War history booklet available
The Illinois Korean Memorial Association, an all-volunteer
organization, has published a booklet, "A Brief History of the
Korean War," copies of which have been provided free of charge to
public libraries, high schools and junior high schools in Illinois.
Individuals may obtain a copy by sending a $10 check or money order
to: Illinois Korean Memorial Association, P.O. Box 8554,
Springfield, IL 62791.
Tax-deductible donations are welcome. All donations go to the
book project and to the upkeep of the Illinois Korean War Memorial.
Illinois Korean War Memorial
The Illinois Korean War Memorial is located in Springfield's Oak
Ridge Cemetery, the same cemetery that contains the Lincoln Tomb.
Oak Ridge is the nation's second-most visited burial ground, behind
only Arlington National Cemetery.
Dedicated on June 16, 1996, the memorial consists of a
12-foot-tall bronze bell mounted on a granite base. At the
circumference of the base are four niches, each with a
larger-than-life figure representing a branch of the armed services.
Inscribed on the base are the 1,754 names of Illinoisans killed in
Korea.
The Illinois Korean War Memorial is administered by the Illinois
Historic Preservation Agency and may be visited daily free of
charge.
Korean War veterans oral history project
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
The oral history program at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum offers
"Veterans
Remember," a collection of interviews with Illinois
residents about their wartime experiences, at the library's website,
http://www2.illinois.gov/alplm/
library/Pages/default.aspx. The interviews concern the
experiences of Illinois veterans who fought in several conflicts,
including the Korean War, as well as the experiences of those on the
home front. Visitors to the website can listen to or watch the
interviews in their entirety. Several of the interviews have
transcripts, and most have still images as well.
Website visitors will need a computer capable of playing MP3
audio files or MPG compressed video files in order to listen to the
interviews. The transcripts and still images are also accessible.
Volunteers conducted and edited many of the interviews and developed
the transcripts that accompany them.
Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
The mission of the Illinois Department of
Veterans' Affairs is to empower veterans and their families to
thrive. The department does this by assisting them in navigating the
system of federal state and local resources and benefits; by
providing long-term health care for eligible veterans in the state's
Veterans' Homes; and by partnering with other agencies and
nonprofits to help veterans address education, mental health,
housing, employment and other challenges. For more information,
visit
http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/. Follow them at
http://twitter.com/ILVetsAffairs or
http://www.facebook.com/illinois.veterans.
[Text from file received from the
Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency] |
