Posted on 10/14/2007 6:35:09 PM PDT by Dubya
Nearly six decades after he was killed fighting in the Korean War, a Marine is going home to Kentucky.
Donald Morris Walker was 19 when he was killed on Dec. 7, 1950, fighting at the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, where outnumbered U.S. forces faced a Chinese onslaught in one of the war's bloodiest battles.
He was buried in an area that the Marines evacuated and that fell under North Korean and Chinese control. The United States was allowed to exhume the remains in 1954, but for decades they were buried at a military cemetery in Hawaii as an unknown soldier.
Troy Kitch, a spokesman for the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in Hawaii, confirmed the identification.
"It's very good news," said Walker's niece Carolyn Stewart of Louisville. "We've heard so many different stories. There was no closure. Even though my grandmother isn't alive to know, at least we know."
It isn't clear where Walker will be interred, but Stewart said she wants her uncle buried at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.
And when I go to Heaven
St Peter I will tell
Another Marine reporting, Sir
I’ve served my time in hell
ping.
Rest in Peace.
Amen to that.
Welcome home Marine.The tech available these days does provide closure for surviving family.
Sempers
Condolences to Carolyn Stewart and Donald Morris Walker’s remaining family and friends.
Rest in piece, Marine.
Prayers for the brave family that had to wait all this time for their Marine to returned to them.
Rest In Peace, Marine.
As the unit's motto states, "Until They Are Home."
I’m glad you have been found!
Welcome home Donald.....hero!
Even though my grandmother isn’t alive to know, at least we know.”
Your grandmother knows Carolyn...she knows. Welcome Home soldier and thank you for your service. You were but a baby yet and had to fight a man’s war. Rest in peace!!!
Even though my grandmother isn’t alive to know, at least we know.”
Your grandmother knows Carolyn...she knows. Welcome Home Marine and thank you for your service. You were but a baby yet and had to fight a man’s war. I am sorry you didn’t get the chance to live your life, marry and have a family. We appreciate you. Rest in peace!!!
Walker, born April 16, 1931, lived in the Parkland area of Louisville. He attended a black Catholic high school, where he was quiet and self-assured, according to friend Robert Buckner, 75, of Louisville.
Walker joined the Naval Reserve in 1949 on “a whim,” Buckner said. When Walker, Buckner and another friend, Charles Jarrett, decided to enter the Navy full time in March 1950, only Buckner passed the test.
“They decided to go to the Marine recruiting office instead. I went with them. The guy said, ‘You may as well take it too,’ and I did. We all passed, and we all decided to enter the Marines,” Buckner said.
After basic training at Parris Island, S.C., they were shipped to California and soon to Korea, where the conflict was just taking shape.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Within months, that decision would place the 19-year-old in the frozen hell of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea, where outnumbered U.S. Marines and soldiers faced a Chinese onslaught in one of the war’s bloodiest battles.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buckner, who went on to serve nearly 21 years in the military and returned to Louisville after retiring in 1971, was also relieved. He said he believes the identification “will lift the burden of years of wondering.”
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071009/NEWS01/710090385/1008/rss01
Thanks for the ping.
A timeless job for sure and one well worth the effort.
LOST MARINE RETURNING HOME bump!
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