MIA Update- November 8, 2019

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced two new identifications, and five burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from WWII and the Korean War. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Marine Corps Cpl. Thomas H. Cooper, 22, of Omaha, Nebraska, was a member of Company A, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands, in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed, including Cooper, who died on the first day of battle, Nov. 20, 1943. Interment services are pending. Read about Cooper https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2007456/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-cooper-t/.
-- Army Pfc. Horace H. Middleton, 20, of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), also known as Merrill’s Marauders, as an infantryman in the China-Burma-India Theater. After taking the airfield in Myitkyina, Burma, from the Japanese on May 17, 1944. Middleton’s battalion was tasked with holding the airfield and taking part in the siege of Myitkyina. Middleton was killed during fighting on July 12, 1944. Interment services are pending. Read about Middleton https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2007418/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-middleton-h/.
-- Army Pfc. Harold K. Knight, 20, of Erie, Pennsylvania, was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 31st Infantry Regiment, 31st Regimental Combat Team. His unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces, near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, from Nov. 27 - Dec. 1, 1950. Witness accounts noted that Knight was killed in action Nov. 25, 1950. Knight is tentatively scheduled to be buried in the spring or summer of 2020 in Pennsylvania. Read about Knight https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1952841/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-knight-h/.
-- U.S. Army 1st Lt. George S. Crisp, 24, of Alba, Texas, was killed during the Korean War. Crisp was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in intense fighting with the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces at Sinhung-ri, near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. He was reported to have last been seen near Hagaru-ri, but his remains could not be located. The U.S. Army declared Crisp deceased as of Dec. 12, 1950. Crisp will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Crisp https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1955231/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-crisp-g/.
-- U.S. Army Cpl. Earl W. Duncan, 23, of McAdenville, North Carolina, was killed during the Korean War. Duncan was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. Duncan will be buried Nov. 30, 2019, in Gastonia, North Carolina. Read about Duncan https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2007077/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-duncan-e/.
-- Marine Corps Pfc. Harry C. Morrissey, 27, of Everett, Massachusetts, was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On Oct. 9, 1942, Morrissey’s unit was part of the main offensive action in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Morrissey was killed in action during the two-month battle. He and two other Marines from his battalion were interred in graves atop Hill 73. Morrissey will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Morrissey https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2006049/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-morrissey-h/.
-- Army Sgt. Walter H. Tobin, Jr., 22, of Glen Lake, Michigan, was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 31st Regimental Combat Team. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, when enemy forces attacked his unit near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. His remains could not be recovered following the attack. Tobin will be buried Nov. 14, 2019, in Glen Arbor, Mich. Read about Tobin https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1930646/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-tobin-w/.