Please remember these 620 Americans who died on November 28, 1950 to help keep Korea free

May they rest in peace and God bless them for their sacrifice. The families should feel incredibly proud.

Amen, jackv.

41 posted on 11/29/2006 8:21:22 AM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

We have paid a high cost for our freedom and the freedom of others. We are blessed to always have a supply of such men who will protect us, even to the point of giving their lives.

I agree.

42 posted on 11/29/2006 8:22:32 AM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

I tried hard to find ONE survivor to talk or write to about James Bowman, who is up there on this list, I couldn't find one. I didn't realize exactly how few survivors there were.

Can you post a little of what you know about James Bowman?

43 posted on 11/29/2006 8:27:06 AM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

In memory of James C. Bowman

World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas

James C Bowman
Inducted From: West Virginia
Rank: Private First Class
Combat Organization: 31st Infantry 7th Division
Death Date: Nov 28 1950
Monument: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal

Korean War Casualties, 1950-1957

Name: James C Bowman
Birth Date: 1930
Gender: Male
Race: Caucasian
Home City: Marion
Home State: West Virginia
Citizen Status: US Citizen
Death Date: 28 Nov 1950
Processed Date: Nov 1979
Casualty Country: Korea
Casualty Type: Hostile - Killed
Casualty Cause: US Army - No Information Available
Casualty Air: US Army - No Information Available
Service Branch: US Army
Component: Reserve (USAR, USNR, USAFR, USMCR, USCGR)
Rank: Private First Class

U.S. Veterans Cemeteries, ca.1800-2006
Name: James Charles Bowman
Service Info.: PFC US ARMY
Birth Date: 6 Nov 1932
Death Date: 28 Nov 1950
Service Start Date: 1 Aug 1947

(Am I right in thinking that this means, if he was born in Nov of 1932, he began serving when he was less than 15 years old?)

Service End Date: 11 Nov 1950
Interment Date: 28 Nov 1950
Cemetery: West Virginia National Cemetery
Cemetery Address: Route 2 Box 127 Grafton, WV 26354
Buried At: Section MA Site 36

James Charles Bowman
Birth Date: 1930
Birth City: Marion
State Registered: West Virginia

Death Date: 28 Nov 1950
Death Country: Korea
Death Description: Killed in Action

War: Korean War
Title: Private First Class, U.S. Army
Rank: Private First Class
Service: U.S. Army
Service ID: [deleted by syriacus]
Notes: Private First Class Bowman was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea on November 28, 1950. His remains were not recovered. Private First Class Bowman was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Data Source: Korean War Veterans Honor Roll

44 posted on 11/29/2006 9:08:53 AM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

November 30, 1950 front page of Mansfield News-Journal

Truman hints use of A-bombs
Chinese Reds cut off Marine Division
Foe Opens Two-Way Assault	Declares U.N. Won't Give Up Korea Mission
Northwest Front Strangely Quiet Tokyo -- (UP)-- Communist China suddenly shifted its offensive, to northeast Korea today and cut off the entire U.S. First Marine division and part of an Army division in a furious ne two-way assault. The Chinese Reds sliced across supply roads behind the Marines and two regiments of the U.S. Seventh division and at the same time launched a heavy fronal attack against the northernmost Leathernecks on the west side of the Chosin reservoir.	Washington - (AP) - President Truman said today active consideration is being given to use of the atomic bomb against the Chinese communists if that step is necessary. The President spoke of this possibility at a news conference in which he also expresssed continued hope a third world war can be averted.

45 posted on 11/29/2006 10:26:08 AM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

"Can you post a little of what you know about James Bowman?"

He was a hard-luck kid from a family who could barely afford to feed him. My dad was a coal miner at the time, barely getting by, and raising my oldest brother by himself.
He took Jimmy in.

I don't know how long he lived with them but I have 5 or 6 letters to my father from him and my fathers last letter to him returned with an MIA stamp on it. My father was very concerned about him in that letter because he had been in heavy combat and dad was giving him all kinds of advice. My brother, who had a lot of losses in his life, could barely speak about it.

Jimmy served in the occupation army in Japan. He sent my father some gifts from Japan which were two laquered boxes stamped "made in occupied Japan" which are collectibles. Unfortunately they were sold when my father died as part of his estate. He did some stockade time while he was there for some kind of shenanigans. I don't remember why I know that. Maybe my father told me.

He didn't say too much in the letters except to thank my father for his friendship and he made some comments about a boxing match he heard on the radio. As I remember it, it was Floyd Patterson. This is before August 1951. He got in it early and lasted until Chosin.

46 posted on 11/29/2006 12:24:30 PM PST by Belasarius (Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:2-7)

Great post!

We can't be reminded enough of the sacrifices made on our behalf.

47 posted on 11/29/2006 12:31:21 PM PST by <1/1,000,000th%

Thanks for your research. I was totally unaware that there was a grave site for him at Grafton WV which was right down the road from my home in Fairmont. It still looks like he is MIA. He apparently is known to be KIA so maybe his dogtags got picked up or his death witnessed or whatever the procedure is but his body remains at Chosin. There may be nothing to recover.

I'm a few miles from the Army History Center in Carlisle, PA. They have quite a lot of information there but not official records. I spent a couple of days up there trying to find more information on the 31sts fight at the Chosin. There are personal letters, photos and stuff there at Carlisle and the unit was reconstituted but there wasn't much continuity. I wonder if any of the survivors were in good enough shape to form the nucleus of a new unit.

48 posted on 11/29/2006 12:36:35 PM PST by Belasarius (Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. Job 5:2-7)

I'm glad you could make sense of the different records I posted. There seemed to be some contradictory bits of information among them. I was entertaining the thought that the records might be about 2 different men with the same name.

I hope you are able to find the people and answers you are seeking.

49 posted on 11/29/2006 3:06:24 PM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

To: <1/1,000,000th%

We can't be reminded enough of the sacrifices made on our behalf

I agree.

50 posted on 11/29/2006 3:07:22 PM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

Thanks for providing the background information on Jimmy. I can see why you would like to know more about his time overseas.

51 posted on 11/29/2006 3:10:51 PM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

On November 30, 1950, 718 Americans lost their lives in connection with the Korean War.

52 posted on 11/30/2006 2:04:52 PM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

On December 1, 1950 -- 747 Americans gave their lives for Korea's freedom.

Some things never change

Even though the UN approved the UN-led fight in Korea, the Europeans criticized the war effort there.

Front page of Syracuse Herald-Journal from December 1, 1950

Marines Battling out of Red Trap
No need for A-bomb says MacArthur Aid*
'We won't be pushed out of Korea'

Must meet Red Challenge
'Facing heavy odds,' MacArthur asserts

Frankfurt, Germany (UP) -- Gen. Douglas MacArthur said today that his United Nations forces are fighting in Korea against military odds without precedent in history, and warned that failure to meet the Red challenge there will leave it to "be fought, and possibly lost, on the battlefieds of Europe."
I told the general that ... European statesmen ...saw war in Asia as a nightmare, retarding the successful organization of European defense. [snip]
As to the opinion in Europe, the general said: "There appears to be a general failure, intentional or from misinformation, to comprehend the mission prescribed for this command by resolutions of the United Nations of which their governments were joint architects and directors, or fairly to recognize that in success or adversity this command has proceeded unerringly in compliance with controlling policies and directives."
MacArthur said he could only attribute such comment to a "somewhat selfish, though most short-sighted, viewpoint.[snip]
"The issue is a global one and failure to comprehend this fact carries the germs of freedom's ultimate destruction. If the fight is not waged with courage and invincible determination to meet the challenge here, it will indeed be fought and possibly lost, on the battlefields of Europe."

*Truman had hinted, a day or so previously, that he might use the A-Bomb. *******

From page 16 of the same paper...

'Hampered by UN Curbs' -- MacArthur.

Washington (AP)-- Gen. Douglas MacArthur said today the military situation in Korea is serious and critical but not hopeless.
He added, however, that he regards as "an enormous handicap, without precedent in military operations," the United Nations restrictions against unlimited pursuit of the Chinese Communists and aerial attacks on their Manchurian bases.
MacArthur made the statement in a copyrighted interview with the Magazine U.S. News and World Report

53 posted on 12/01/2006 7:40:08 AM PST by syriacus (Millions in South Korea are free because 30,000 US troops DIED in 3 years under TRUMAN.)

115 Americans who were 17 years old or younger died in 2 months to free Korea
(November and December 1950)

Donald R Abel Pennsylvania 4 Nov 1950
James V Ashbaugh Ohio 6 Dec 1950
Donald L Bakie Maryland 2 Nov 1950
Ronald R Barker Virginia 2 Dec 1950
Robert A Jr Best Jr Wisconsin 2 Dec 1950
Curtis L Bowman Virginia 24 Dec 1950
Donald W Boyd Pennsylvania 28 Nov 1950
Kenneth L Bridger Washington 30 Nov 1950
Buddy B Burris California 4 Dec 1950
John M Carnes Ohio 12 Dec 1950
Melvin H Chantre Massachusetts 2 Nov 1950
John B Christiana Pennsylvania 30 Nov 1950
Freddie E Church Ohio 1 Nov 1950
Arthur A Clifton New Mexico 11 Dec 1950
William Colletti Maryland 2 Dec 1950
Clifton W Conley Pennsylvania 4 Dec 1950
Henry D Connell Massachusetts 2 Nov 1950
Howard D Cook Kentucky 6 Nov 1950
John E Cook New York 29 Nov 1950
Patrick H Creagan Iowa 3 Dec 1950
Arthur E Crim Ohio 28 Nov 1950
Harold E Dale Michigan 13 Dec 1950
Edward H Davis Mississippi 2 Dec 1950
Amos Jr Douglas Jr Ohio 28 Nov 1950
Richard D Espinoza Illinois 29 Nov 1950
Gene E Evans California 12 Dec 1950
William F Evans New Jersey 3 Dec 1950
Gerald A Farris California 2 Dec 1950
Eric N Jr Flackman Jr California 11 Dec 1950
Irvin E Focht Ohio 12 Dec 1950
James L Franklin Virginia 6 Nov 1950
Royce C Gibson Kentucky 27 Nov 1950
J W Gilland Alabama 3 Nov 1950
Larry O Greenfield Iowa 14 Dec 1950
Raymond Gunderson Wisconsin 10 Nov 1950
Lewis S Harsher West Virginia 2 Dec 1950
Clarence G Hartley Washington 30 Nov 1950
Paul E Heald Florida 3 Dec 1950
Glenwood C Helman Pennsylvania 30 Nov 1950
Jerold C Hoffman Pennsylvania 15 Nov 1950
Charles L Hogan Texas 2 Dec 1950
Theodore H Hopke New York 2 Nov 1950
William C Hunt Kentucky 26 Nov 1950
Jack W Hutchison Michigan 30 Nov 1950
Harold S Jackson Ohio 13 Nov 1950
Herbert Jackson Pennsylvania 11 Nov 1950
Joseph B Joe Louisiana 1 Dec 1950
Eldride Johnson Louisiana 27 Nov 1950
John B Johnson North Carolina 15 Dec 1950
Wesley Johnson Alabama 2 Nov 1950
Robert N Jones California 26 Nov 1950
John J Keglovitz Pennsylvania 15 Dec 1950
Donald E Kelly California 3 Dec 1950
George E Kessler Virginia 28 Nov 1950
Martin A King Pennsylvania 2 Nov 1950
George H Lawall Pennsylvania 15 Dec 1950
Ray K Lilly West Virginia 2 Nov 1950
Kenneth W Lippert Ohio 2 Nov 1950
Richard A Lucas New Jersey 26 Nov 1950
Marshall F Lyons Michigan 11 Nov 1950
Donald V MacLean Ohio 2 Dec 1950
Henry E Jr Matton Jr Wisconsin 11 Nov 1950
Donald McClellan Michigan 11 Dec 1950
Richard McKinney California 2 Dec 1950
Gerald W McLean Kentucky 30 Nov 1950
John D Meikle Virginia 15 Dec 1950
Norman E Moore Massachusetts 28 Nov 1950
Roland B Mullen Pennsylvania 21 Dec 1950
George R Jr Nedley Jr Pennsylvania 29 Nov 1950
Henry R Oneal California 28 Nov 1950
Dick E Osborne Pennsylvania 2 Nov 1950
Edison F Owens Illinois 28 Nov 1950
Michael H Paczocha Wisconsin 28 Nov 1950
James R Palmer Ohio 2 Nov 1950
Thomas L Parker Georgia 27 Nov 1950
Philip O Peterson Minnesota 2 Dec 1950
George Jr Petty Jr Pennsylvania 27 Nov 1950
Walter Pierce Pennsylvania 2 Nov 1950
Roger W Pleshek Michigan 30 Nov 1950
Alton R Register North Carolina 2 Dec 1950
James A Riddle Michigan 2 Dec 1950
Kenneth M Rinkes Ohio 3 Dec 1950
Joseph A Roberts Massachusetts 2 Nov 1950
Joseph C Robinson Pennsylvania 28 Nov 1950
Herman Rose North Carolina 3 Dec 1950
Paul E Rose Pennsylvania 3 Dec 1950
Joseph Serback West Virginia 27 Nov 1950
Anthony R Sidoti Connecticut 2 Nov 1950
Marvin M Sihrer South Dakota 27 Nov 1950
Donald M Smith Kentucky 28 Nov 1950
Donald R Smith Ohio 2 Dec 1950
William Sneed Michigan 3 Dec 1950
Walter A Snyder Ohio 6 Dec 1950
Louis Jr Sonnier Jr Louisiana 28 Nov 1950
Elmo M Spiller Washington 2 Nov 1950
John O Strom Minnesota 2 Nov 1950
John L Sullivan Tennessee 29 Nov 1950
Earl W Taylor Missouri 28 Nov 1950
James W Teague North Carolina 28 Nov 1950
Billy E Tennison Texas 1 Dec 1950
Ernest L Jr Thorpe Jr Pennsylvania 15 Dec 1950
Barney A Tolbert Alabama 2 Dec 1950
Alfredo T Trevino Texas 2 Dec 1950
Darold D Urbanski Wyoming 1 Dec 1950
Richa Van Newhouse Ohio 6 Dec 1950
Rex E Wagner Ohio 2 Nov 1950
Lawrence R Walker California 30 Nov 1950
Donald E Wallace Tennessee 28 Nov 1950
George W Walters Maryland 2 Nov 1950
Kenneth E Walters Oklahoma 6 Dec 1950
Calvin Benjamin Ward 25 Apr Maryland 3 Dec 1950
Willie Jr Watts Jr South Carolina 27 Nov 1950
Berl D Weekley Florida 28 Nov 1950
David G Wheat Louisiana 11 Nov 1950
Richard W Young Pennsylvania 26 Nov 1950

54 posted on 12/06/2006 9:10:46 AM PST by syriacus (In the last 2 1/2 years of Truman's presidency, 30,000 Americans gave their lives for Korean freedom)

Try this as one of the best resources for the Korean war. http://www.biblio.com/books/39795419.html

The book arrived today. It's well-written and very hard to put down.

55 posted on 12/11/2006 11:18:27 AM PST by syriacus (30,000 US deaths in Korea in 2 1/2 years under Truman (Jul, 1950 - Dec, 1952))

'Frozen Chosin' will take on a whole different meaning after you read it. It was one of the most valorous campaigns in the history of American arms, IMHO.

Of particular interest are the politics behind the scene of MacArthur, Truman, and the JCS. Remember, the reorganization of the military and the creation of the JCS had just occured three years earlier and so the whole structure wasn't as formalized as it is today. Add to this a wily old infighter like Doug and poor, by today's standards, commo, and you get the run up the east coast of the Korean peninsula to the Yalu.

56 posted on 12/12/2006 4:17:20 AM PST by x1stcav (I always thought he was a Murthaf*cker.)

I made a mistake --- 781 Americans died on November 30, 1950 --- not 718.

57 posted on 01/01/2007 2:23:22 PM PST by syriacus (30,000 US deaths in Korea in 2 1/2 years under Truman (Jul, 1950 - Dec, 1952))

Donnie F. Roby was my first cousin. He was the son of Zuel and May Roby and grew up in Yankeetown, Indiana.

58 posted on 05/21/2013 3:40:34 PM PDT by Ronald H. Roby

To: Ronald H. Roby

Rest in Peace, Donnie F. Roby

59 posted on 05/22/2013 1:56:06 AM PDT by syriacus (Banning guns in hopes of ending school shootings is like banning matches to stop school arson. OLA)

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794