Deaths in 1955 - Korea & Around the World
 

Details of Death

[KWE Note: To add information about a 1955 casualty, contact Lynnita@thekwe.org.]

Baxter, Sgt. Perley Albert Jr.

Born March 12, 1921 in Worcester, Massachusetts, he was the twin son of Perley Albert Baxter Sr. (1897-1965) and Dorothy E. Ryan Baxter (1900-1921).  His twin brother (1921-1921) was Arthur H. Baxter.  He enlisted in the Army in 1940.  Sergeant Baxter was a member of the U.S. Army serving in Korea. He was the first man to re-enlist in the Army in 1955 at Camp Zama, outside of Tokyo.  He died of other causes on January 25, 1955. Sergeant Baxter was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.

Biesterveld, ENS Thomas Clarence

Ensign Biesterveld was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 193 aboard the aircraft carrier USS PRINCETON (CV-37). On April 29, 1951, while on a combat mission over North Korea, his aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and he parachuted safely to the ground about four miles east of the Hwachon Reservoir. He was taken Prisoner of War and died while a prisoner on February 24, 1955. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. For his leadership and valor, Ensign Biesterveld was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with Gold Star, the Prisoner of War Medal, 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.

Brown, Capt. Charles W.

North Korean anti-aircraft guns shot down his unarmed U.S. training plane in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on August 17, 1955.  The body of Capt. Charles W. Brown, who was shot down by the Communists in an unarmed training plane over the demilitarized zone of Korea August 17, arrived in Owensboro Sunday morning. 

Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Vernon Brown of Wheatcroft, Kentucky, was a passenger-observer in a small plane whose only other occupant was the pilot, Lt. Guy H. Bumpus, of Jackson, Miss., who suffered head injuries in the crash. The plane was brought down by Red antiaircraft fire at a point about 12 miles east of Kumhwa, on the Central Korean front. The communists claim Brown was killed as a result of the crash. Bumpus was taken prisoner by the Reds but was released six days later after intervention by the United Nations Command.

Brown's wife, Mrs. Elizabeth "Libby" Coomes, is now residing in Owensboro and funeral services were held Tuesday morning at St. Stephen's Catholic Cathedral in Owensboro. The Rev. Lucian Hayden, assistant pastor, officiated. Prayers were said Monday evening at the funeral home. Both church and military services were held at the Catholic cemetery graveside. Prayers were said by the Rev. Father Hayden. The commander, chaplain, color guard and color bearers of the James L. Yates Post No. 9 took part. A military guard of honor presented the flag which had covered the coffin to the widow. A firing squad from Fort Knox fired a three-volley salute and a bugler, also from Fort Knox, sounded taps.

Captain Brown is survived by his wife, his parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Charlie Brown of Wheatcroft; two sisters, Mrs. Ora Beadles, Springfield, Mo.; Mrs. David Baird, Orlando, Fla.; one brother, Chief Petty Officer George O. Brown, stationed in London, England; grandfather, J.W. Branson, Wheatcroft.

Providence Journal-Enterprise
Providence, Kentucky
Thursday, September 15, 1955

Brown, Sgt. Jack Rayfull

Sergeant Brown was a member of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On August 6, 1955, he was leaving his unit's position on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea to go to Japan for rest and recreation, when the military vehicle in which he was riding crashed the guard rail of a bridge and plunged into a gorge 40 feet below and burst into flames. Sergeant Brown was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Brown, Sgt. Warren Russell Jr.

Sergeant Brown was a member of Company A, 519th Military Police Battalion. He died of other causes on June 10, 1955 near Hungchen, South Korea. Sergeant Brown was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Brooks, Capt. Robert N.

Captain Brooks was a crew member of a RB-47E Stratojet reconnaissance aircraft with the U.S. Air Force. On April 17, 1955, while patrolling the airspace during the Korean truce, his aircraft was shot down. Captain Brooks was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

Busby, Pvt. William L.

Pvt. William Luther Busby was born June 26, 1932 in Calhoun County, South Carolina, a son of Henry Smiley Busby (1889-1950) and Alice Evetta Corley Busby (1901-1972).  His siblings were Carl Henry Busby (1919-1950), Infant sister (1920-1920), James F. Busby (1921-1950), George Ray Busby (1924-1996), Ruby Lee Busby (1924-1943), and Juanita Cora Busby Craver (1927-1992).  Private Busby enlisted in the Army on June 19, 1953.  His serial number was US53201616.  He was serving in Company D, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, when he died in Korea.  At this point (05/08/2022) the KWE is researching what happened to Private Busby.  His body was returned to the United States and he is buried in Olympia Cemetery, Columbia, South Carolina.

Cates, Pvt. Richard A.

Private Cates was a member of the U.S. Army serving in Korea. On February 24, 1955, while under fire from the North Koreans, he was hit on his head by a bridge timber during its demolition by explosion near Kohyon-ni, Korea. Private Cates was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

Cochran, Ltjg. Billy Edward

Lieutenant Junior Grade Cochran served with the 7th Fleet Staff. He was taken Prisoner of War while engaged with the enemy in Korea on June 14, 1951. He was presumed dead on March 1, 1955. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. For his leadership and valor, Lieutenant Junior Grade Cochran was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Prisoner of War Medal, 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.

Kunzmann, 2Lt. James Francis

Lieutenant Kunzmann was the pilot of a F4U-5 Corsair fighter with Marine Fighter Squadron 212, Marine Air Group 33, 1st Marine Air Wing. On March 10, 1955, his aircraft crashed, killing him. Second Lieutenant Kunzmann was awarded 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.

Neighbors, Maj. Lacie C.

Major Neighbors was the pilot of a RB47E Stratojet reconnaissance aircraft with the U.S. Air Force. On April 17, 1955, while patrolling the airspace during the Korean truce, his aircraft was shot down by MiG-15 fighters over the Kamchatka Peninsula. All three crew members are missing. Major Neighbors was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

Newell, Pfc. Charles

Private First Class Newell was a member of the 1st Marine Division serving in Korea. He was Wounded in Action while fighting the enemy in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and died from those wounds on November 16, 1955. Private First Class Newell was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

Petersen, 2Lt. Fred Loren

Second Lieutenant Petersen was a pilot of a T-33 jet trainer. On January 13, 1955, during a training flight, he was killed when his aircraft crashed in Texas. Second Lieutenant Petersen was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

Walls, Pfc. George Clifford

Private First Class Walls was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while serving on security duty in the Demilitarize Zone from a shot in the back by a Korean ex-convict on November 22, 1955. Private First Class Walls was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

Weeks, Pfc. Garnett

Private First Class Weeks was a member of the 1st Marine Division serving in Korea. He died from other causes on February 27, 1955. Private First Class Weeks was awarded 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.