Honored Dead – Korea

   Listed here are men from the Klamath Basin who died while serving in the military during the Korean Conflict. The list includes those who died in combat or as the result of accidental injury either at home or abroad.

   In some cases little or no information is available about individuals listed here. In most cases, additional information is on file at the Klamath County Museum.

Archuleta, Juan

Aug. 31, 1951, Korea

   Born in 1928, Juan Archuleta of Bonanza was inducted into the Army in 1950 by the Klamath Selective Service Board.

   He served with the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division as a light weapons infantryman. He was listed as a prisoner of war in September of 1953, but it was later learned he was killed in action in North Korea in 1951.

   Archuleta was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Betzer, Grover

May 2, 1953, Korea

   A veteran of World War II, Major Grover Betzer was the pilot of an F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Marine Fighter Squadron 312, Marine Air Group 12 aboard the USS Bataan. He was killed over North Korea while participating in the rescue of a downed pilot who was surrounded by enemy troops.

   During the rescue, Betzer flew a series of strafing attacks, drawing enemy fire. After his ammunition was gone, he continued simulated strafing attacks, enabling a helicopter to pick up the downed pilot.

   Betzer’s plane was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. His remains were not recovered. He was 36 years old at the time of his death.

   He was survived by his wife, Loralyn; a 2-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter all of Santa Ana, Calif.; his father, Ray Betzer, of Klamath Falls; and a sister, Mrs. Robert Pinneo, of Wichita, Kansas.

   He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was presented to his daughter.

   Betzer was also awarded the Air Medal with two Gold Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, 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. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

Burkhart, Ernest L.

Sept. 25, 1952

   A native of Klamath Falls, Ernest Burkhart Jr. was buried at Linkville Cemetery.

   He was survived by his wife, Stella, of Klamath Falls, parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest L. Burkhart Sr., of Dorris, and a brother and a sister.

Cummings, Roy Delbert

March 8, 1953, Southern Oregon

   A graduate of Klamath Union High School, Roy Cummings was killed in an airplane crash south of Roseburg while en route to San Francisco where he was to report for duty.

   Cummings had been in the Navy for about two years at the time of his death at the age of 20. Graveside services for Cummings, with full military honors by the Klamath Falls American Legion were held in Klamath Memorial Park.

   He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Cummings; two brothers, John Duane and Van Dee Cummings; and grandmother, Mrs. Mattie Collins all of Klamath Falls.

Gerrue, Louis Orville

April 23, 1951, Korea

   A veteran of World War II, Louis Gerrue served for two years on occupation duty in Korea. Gerrue, who was a Marine reservist, was called back into service in September of 1950. He was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division.

   He had been overseas a little more than a month at the time of his death at the age of 23. Gerrue was the sixth Klamath County man to die in the Korean War.

   He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, 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.

   He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Jennie Anderson; father, Lee Gerue; stepfather, Richard Anderson; a sister, Lorayne, all of Klamath Falls; and a brother, Edwin Lee, who was in the Navy, stationed aboard the USS Boyd.

Goodwin, Bert Lonzo

Feb. 1, 1953, Korea

   A member of the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, Klamath Falls resident Bert Goodwin was fighting in North Korea at the time of his death.

   He 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.

Hancock, Richard, Lyle

Dec. 31, 1950, Korea

    Born in Klamath Falls in 1930, Lyle Hancock enlisted in the Army in July of 1947 after  attending Klamath Union High School. He served 30 months in Korea, but volunteered to return at the outbreak of the Korean War. Hancock was a member of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

   He was the third Klamath County man to die in the Korean War, and was 20 years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hancock and two brothers, Don and Gordon. He was engaged to be married to Miss Nancy Edwards of Klamath Falls.

   Hancock 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.

Henson, Freddie L.

Dec. 6, 1950, Korea

   A Klamath County resident, Freddie Henson enlisted with the Army in Klamath Falls on Jan. 19, 1949. He served with Battery A, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. Heson was listed as missing in action while fighting near Hagaru, North Korea on Dec. 6, 1950. He was presumed dead on Dec. 31, 1953. His remains were not recovered.

   He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Thelma Henson.

   Henson’s name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. He was awarded the Purple Heart, 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.

Hood, Haskel, H.

May 29, 1951, Korea

   Born in 1932, Haskel Hood enlisted at the age of 18. He served as a Browning automatic rifleman, with the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.

   Hood died while engaging the enemy in battle and had only been serving in Korea for a few months.

   He was 19 years old at the time of his death and was the first Klamath Indian to die while fighting in the Korean War. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hood, Sprague River, were informed of his death. He was also survived by two sisters and five brothers.

   Hood 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.

Kline, Robert Franklin

March 8, 1953, near Roseburg

   Robert Franklin Kline died when a plane in which he was a passenger crashed into a tree-covered hillside eight miles south of Roseburg. He was 21 at the time of his death.

He was buried with full military honors by the Klamath Falls American Legion in Klamath Memorial Park. He was the son of Mrs. Buster B. Tiffany, of Tacoma, Wash., and Frank F. Kline, of Medford. He was also survived by a brother and five sisters.

Leyh, Lloyd F.

Dec. 25, 1952, Tokyo

   Loyd F. Leyh, of Bly, died Christmas Day, 1952, of a head injury in Tokyo, Japan. He was 24 at the time of his death.

   He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Bernice Leyh, of Bly; parents of Mizpah, Minn.; and a brother, Marvin Leyh, of Willow Ranch. His parents resided in Mizpah, Minn., where he was buried.

McAuliffe, Cornelius, J.

Feb. 13, 1951, Korea

   Born Dec. 1, 1929, Cornelius “Con” McAuliffe lived most of his life in Malin,  graduating from Malin High School in 1948. He served in South Korea with the 2nd division as a member of B battery, 15th field artillery as a field artillery cannoneer.

   McAuliffe was initially reported as missing in action by the Defense Department, but his wife learned from a soldier in her husband’s division that he saw McAuliffe killed. He carried McAuliffe’s body a considerable distance before he was forced to abandon it.

   McAuliffe was 21 at the time of his death.

   He was survived by his wife, the former Elizabeth (Rudy) Andersch, of Klamath Falls; 10-month-old daughter, Constance; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan McAuliffe of Malin; and four brothers and sisters. He was entombed at Klamath Memorial Park.

   McAuliffe was awarded the Purple Heart, 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.

McEnerney, Charles D.

May 8, 1951, Korea

   Born Dec. 30, 1929, Charles McEnerney attended Sacred Heart Academy and was active in football and other sports. He was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.

   While serving in North Korea, McEnerney was struck by fragments from a grenade that was set off by heat from a grass fire. He had been in the Army for three years at the time of his death at the age of 21.

   His father, Frank C. McEnerny, was informed of his son’s death. He was also survived by a brother, and two sisters, all of Klamath Falls.

   McEnerny was awarded 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.

O’Brien, James Patrick

March 29, 1953, Korea

   Born Feb. 7, 1933, James “Pat” O’Brien worked for Roper and Roper Paint Co. of Klamath Falls before enlisting in the Marines from Klamath Falls on Feb. 7, 1950. He was a member of Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. O’Brien was killed during an attack on Vegas Outpost in Korea. He was 20 at the time of his death.

   O’Brien was survived by parents, Mr. and Mrs. John O’Brien, of Klamath Falls and three half sisters, Sharon, Patty and Michele, all of Klamath Falls. He was buried in Kansas.

   O’Brien was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Owens, Richard Keith

Nov, 30, 1950, Korea

   Born in La Grande in 1928, Richard Owens attended school in Bend. He was a member of the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Owens was serving his second year with the Army when his family received word he was wounded in action on Nov. 30, 1950.

   His father, Elmer Owens of Klamath Falls, received official notice March 1, 1951, of his son’s November death. Richard Owens was 22 at the time of his death.

   Owens was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Parr, Charley Ora

Oct. 31, 1951, Korea

   Born Sept. 11, 1930, Charley Parr graduated from Klamath Union High School in 1949. Parr entered the Air Force on July 25, 1949, a month after the start of the Korean War. He was a member of the 30th Squadron, 19th Bombardment Group, Medium, based on one of the Ryukyu Islands southeast of Japan.

   Parr was serving as an aerial gunner aboard a B-29 bomber, dubbed the “Dragon Lady,” when he was reported missing in action over Korea on Oct. 31, 1951. It was later learned that the plane developed a fire in one engine. Two crewmen bailed out of the plane before it exploded in mid-air. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

   Parr’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Parr of Klamath Falls received word of their son’s death from the Defense Department on Nov. 7, 1951. He was also survived by a brother, William L. Parr, of Klamath Falls, and a sister, Mrs. Ballie Lipp, of Niles, Mich. Parr was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo.

Rainwater, James W.

May 15, 1953, Oakland, Calif.

   James Rainwater, a native of Childress, Texas, lived in Bly and Bonanza before moving to Klamath Falls in 1944.

   Rainwater served in the Navy for four years. He served aboard the USS St. Paul for two years in Korea, and was stationed at Key West, Fla., in submarine school when he was diagnosed with cancer.

   He died in Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, Calif., at the age of 25, three months after being diagnosed with cancer.

   He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Rainwater, of Klamath Falls, three sisters and five brothers.

Schuh, Dwain A.

June 3, 1951, Korea

   Dwain Schuh, a native of Elcho, Wis., was born July 9, 1930. He graduated from Sacred Heart academy in Klamath Falls in 1948 and in October of that year enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served one year, was discharged, and on Oct. 7, 1950, was recalled to service. Before being recalled to active duty, Schuh was employed by Weyerhaeuser Timber Co.

   Schuh was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division and had been elevated to fire leader of his squad before his death during an encounter with the enemy on June 3, 1951. He was 20 at the time of his death.

   Schuh’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Schuh, of Klamath Falls, were notified of their son’s death. Schuh was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Short , William Donald

April 8, 1953, Arizona

   A 1949 graduate of Henley High School, William Short attended Oregon State College for two years before enlisting in the Air Force in January of 1952.

   He took his flight training at Hondo, Texas, and was then transferred to Phoenix for jet fighter training. He died April 8, 1953, when the T-33 jet training plane he was piloting collided with another training plane 30 miles north of Williams Air Force Base, Phoenix, Ariz.

   He was 23 at the time of his death, and was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd D. Short of Klamath Falls.

Simmons, William R.

June 15, 1953, Korea

   A 1949 graduate of Klamath Union High School, William Simmons served as Field Artillery Chief as a member of Battery C, 176th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 40th Infantry Division.

   His parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Simmons of Delleker, Calif.,  received word in June of 1953, that their son was missing in action. They received a telegram in late July of 1953, informing them that their son was killed in action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on June 15, 1953. His remains were not recovered.

   Simmons was also survived by two brothers and a sister.

   He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, 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.

Smith, Therlo G.L.

Sept. 29, 1951, Korea

   Born in 1932, Therlo Smith joined the Army on March 13, 1951. He trained in Hawaii and was sent to Korea in July of 1951. He served as a Light Weapons Infantryman with Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. Smith was killed on Sept. 29, 1951, while fighting in North Korea. He was 19 at the time of his death.

   Initially reported as missing in action, Smith’s mother, Mrs. Emma Lou Clough, of Klamath Falls, was informed of her son’s death in mid-December of 1951.

   Smith was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Service Medal.

Stuart, Donald C.

Sept. 2, 1950, Korea

   A native of Klamath County, born in 1929, Donald Stuart attended county schools, graduating from Altamont Junior High School.

   Stuart was a member of the 2nd Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd infantry division. He was seriously wounded while fighting in South Korea on Sept. 2, 1950, and died of his wounds later that day. He was 21 years old at the time of his death and had served in the Army for three years.

   His mother, Mrs. Nette B. Story, of Klamath Falls, was informed of her son’s death.

   Stuart was awarded the Purple Heart, 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.

Sumrall, John Everett

Sept. 3, 1950, Korea

   Born Aug. 14, 1922, John Sumrall attended grade school in Klamath Falls and one year at Klamath Union High School before moving to Corvallis.

   He served 38 months in the South Pacific during World War II. Discharged early in 1945, he re-enlisted and spent three years in Japan with the occupational forces. He was a member of the 29th Infantry Regimental Combat Team.

   Sumrall was killed by a hand grenade after killing at least 15 of the enemy and wounding several others following several hours of attack by Korean forces.

   His mother, Mrs. E. B. Teasley, of Arcata, Calif., was informed of her son’s death. Sumrall was 28 at the time of his death.

   Sumrall was awarded Silver Star, 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. He was buried at Golden gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, Calif.

Thompson, John W. Jr.

Aug. 19, 1950, Korea

   Born in 1932, John Thompson attended Klamath Union High School and enlisted in the Army in 1949. He served as an Infantry Light Weapons Infantryman and was a member of the 29th Infantry Regimental Combat Team.

   Thompson was the first Korean War fatality in the Klamath Basin. He was 18 at the time of his death.

   His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Thompson, Sr., and a sister, Sallie May, all of Klamath Falls, were informed of his death.

   He was buried with military honors at the Lost River Cemetery near Bonanza.

Thompson 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.

Tracy, Elwood A.

July 17, 1953, Florida

   Born in Klamath Falls on July 24, 1932, Elwood Tracy became a scholarship honor student at Klamath Union High School. As a senior majoring in engineering at Oregon State College, he was in the Reserve Officers Training Corp rated as a midshipman. Tracy was taking part in an ROTC summer training course in Florida when he lost his life in the crash of a marine cargo plane. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Whiting Field, near Milton, Fla. He was among 41 reservists and crewmen killed in the crash.

   He was 20 at the time of his death.

   His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Tracy, of Klamath Falls, were informed of their son’s death. He was also survived by two brothers, one sister, and his fiancee, Darlene Gortmaker.

   He was buried with full military honors at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.

Wilson, Hugh R.

Dec. 30, 1951, Arizona

   Born in Ohio on April 14, 1930, Hugh Wilson moved to Tulelake with his family in 1937. He graduated as a valedictorian from Tulelake High School in 1948, and went on to attend Mt. Union College near Alliance, Ohio. Wilson was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point by Congressman Claire Engle in 1950.

   Wilson died in 1951 in the crash of an Air Force C-47 transport plane near Phoenix, Ariz. The plane was carrying 28 people, including 19 West Point cadets, from Hamilton Air Force Base, Calif., to Goodfellow Air Base, Texas.

   He was survived by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Wilson, Sr., a brother, and a sister, all of Tulelake. Funeral services were held at West Point, and he was buried at West Point Cemetery.

   A thesis Wilson wrote while a student at West Point, “Cause And Significance of the Modoc War,” was published as a small book in his honor, and dedicated to his parents, in August of 1953.

Yokem, Bryce Dalton

Dec. 10, 1951, Korea

   Born Feb. 27, 1929, Bryce Yokem attended grade schools in Klamath County and graduated from Butte Valley High School in Dorris.

   He was with the 35th Infantry Regiment and had served nine months in Korea, fighting on the West-Central front, when he died in a vehicle crash near Kumwha, Korea. He was 23 at the time of his death.

   Yokem was survived by his mother, Lora Williams, of Weed, a sister, Irene George, of Klamath Falls, and a brother, Ray, of Sweet Home.

   Yokem was awarded 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.