KOREAN CONFLICT (1950-53)
At the end of World War II, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel into Soviet (North Korean) and US (South Korean) zones of occupation. In 1948 rival governments were established: The Republic of Korea was proclaimed in the South and the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea in the North. Relations between these two countries became increasingly strained, and on June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea. The United Nations quickly condemned the invasion as an act of aggression, demanded the withdrawal of North Korean troops from the South, and called upon its members to aid South Korea. On June 27, 1950, United States President Harry S Truman authorized the use of American land, sea and air forces in Korea, a week later, the United Nations placed the forces of 15 other member nations under United States command, and Truman appointed Gen. Douglas MacArthur supreme commander. The conflict ended with an armistice agreement signed July 27, 1953. Casualties in the war were heavy. United States losses were placed at over 54, 000 dead and 103,000 wounded, while Chinese and Korean casualties were each at least 10 times as high.
Recruitment practices and the enlistment of men and women into the armed forces had changed by the 1950s, and there were no longer large groups from a particular region or area who mustered into service on the same date or in the same regiment. Because of these changes, it is very difficult to ascertain the names of service men and women from the Watsontown area who served during the most recent conflicts. Therefore, in an attempt to preserve the names of those from the Watsontown vicinity who served in the military during the Korean War, the following is only a partial list submitted by those who have served or by their family members.
Donald G. Ale William C. Aunkst Freeman L. Auten
Walter S. Baker Edward M. Benfer Richard S. Bower Russell G. Brungard
Robert B. Barnwell Wayne W. Benfer William C. Bredbenner Richard Bryson
Dartt M. Becker Richard L. Benshoff Ray A. Brungard Dale E. Bush
Edward I. Childs William I. Connor Harold R. Crawford Charles A. Cunningham
Orrin G. Cocks, III William E. Cranmer Eugene K. Culp
William F. Deitrick H. James Derr William Devitt III Grier R. Donachy
Richard S. Felix Randolph L. Follmer Richard A. Frederick LeRoy Frontz, Jr.
Donley G. Fisher Marvin E. Frederick Ira H. Frontz, Jr.
Harmon W. Gair Theodore E. Geiger Paul E. Greiner* Jacob N. Gresh
Paul E. Greiner* 1952 or 1953 in Spokane Washington in car accident
Gene N. Hoffman James L. Holmes Kenneth L. Houser Wayne M. Houser
Glenn S. Keefer Marvin R. King Eugene R. Kurtz
F. Derl Laidacker George E. Leech Paul L. Linn Glenn E. Long
George D. Mabus Jean Savidge McCollin James W. Miller James D. Mosser
Carl M. McCallum, Jr. Donald G. McCormick Denzil K. Moll Carl E. Mutschler
Harold E. McCollin Robert S. McCormick Sterling K. Moll Russell Myers, Jr.
David N. Newbury Leamon L. Nuss
Frederick H. Patterson Layman L. Phillips Richard L. Plotts
Ralph G. Ranck Marlin R. Reese Harold E. Rhone
Thomas R. Reed Monroe C. Reese Charles A. Roth, Jr.
Dale E. Schooley Robert E. Schooley Charles R. Smith
James M. Schooley Joseph W. Shaw Robert C. Stahlnecker
David R. Taylor William H. Taylor Earl B. Truckenmiller
William E. Taylor, Jr. Marlin A. Thomas Ray L. Tyson
Jay H. Wagner Dale L. Wertman Gerald W. Wright
William F. Wagner, Jr. Glenn R. Wertman Robert D. Wright
Donald E. Weaver Robert B. Wertman Frederick C. Wuestner
Ruth H. Yost William Yost James C. Young, Jr. Randall M. Young
Harold L. Zarr
John Zettlemoyer
Last Modified: 01.29.12
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January 31st, 2015 at 12:46 am
William Charles Aunkst died in a car accident July 1963 on road between Watsontown and Milton, Pa
June 18th, 2015 at 4:40 pm
My Maternal Uncle;
Benjamin Max Patterson was called up in 1952 and served in Korea. I have photos of that time. Not too sure if I have other docu- mentation. I remem-
her he was living with our family in Norris-
town,Pa when he left