After visiting one of my veterans forums recently, I left with the feeling that America's MIAs from both Korea and Vietnam have been all but forgotten. It was just a few short years ago that remains were being turned over on a regular basis for DNA testing, to try and repatriate the remains to their families.
With all the war hoopla going on in the Middle East, little is heard anymore about our MIAs. I also feel that Bush may have hurt any possibility of Korean MIAs being turned over with his axis of evil quote.
This is a subject that touches my family deeply, as we lost an uncle in Korea. MSGT Olen Berry Williams was a decorated WWII veteran. He served in Korea with K Co., 31st INF. He was at the Chosin Reservoir in 1950 when China decided to enter the war. For several days, his unit, along with other units, fought a retreating battle, attempting to meet up with units that were pushing northward to relieve them. They often fought encirclement, and the few who survived the battles, did so by making their way across the frozen reservoir. When his platoon leader finally made his way, along with the few remaining survivors, to the Marine reinforcements, they reported what they knew of their fellow soldiers that did not make it. My uncle was reported as wounded but still fighting. He was believed to have eventually been captured, and was later reported as having died while in captivity.
In all, over 10,000 MIA remain, mostly in Korea. Many of the Korean MIA are believed to have possibily died while in captivity in China. Had my uncle been captured, and his wounds not severe, there is no doubt he would have been severly interrogated because of his rank as a Senior NCO.
Has our government forgotten America's lost soldiers? Do our poiticians care if their remains are ever turned over? While we are only talking about a litle over 10,000 people, an extremely small percentage of the population, these are still American fighting men. How many others feel that we should demand our government do everything possible to have our veteran's remains turned over?
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