Donald E. Walsh, Korean War CasualtyPorter County Data on Korean War Casualties . . . .

Donald E. Walsh
Private First Class, Company H, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, US Army
Date of Birth: September 7, 1930
Date of Death: July 20, 1950
Burial: St. Paul Cemetery (Valparaiso)
Cause of Death: Killed in Action (US retreat near Taejon, South Korea)
Date of Enlistment: October 1947
Awards: Purple Heart
Hometown: Valparaiso

Newspaper Notices:

Valparaiso Youth, 19, Missing In Acton
Donald Walsh Listed On Army Notice
Is Second Young Area Man On Casualty Report


A 19-year-old Valparaiso army private today was reported to be missing in action since July 20 in Korea.

The young soldier is Pvt. Donald E. Walsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh, 354 Lafayette.

A message conveying the tragic news was received here Monday by the parents from the US department of defense. They were advised that further notice would be forthcoming.

Young Walsh is the second Porter county man to be included in the Korean casualty list, and the first from Valparaiso.

Robert Payne, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Payne, of Furnessville, was reported killed in action in Korea, July 24, according to word received by the parents Aug. 7 from the department of defense.

2 Years In Japan

Young Walsh was serving with the 24th Army, 19th Infantry, in Korea. He enlisted in the service in October, 1947, and two years ago was sent to Japan.

Born in Valparaiso Sept. 7, 1930, he attended the Gardner and Central schools. After completing the eighth grade he joined the US army.

Four of his brothers served in World War II. They are Capt. Harold T. Walsh, Elkhart, Ind.; Richard Lewis Walsh, Hollywood, Calif.; Robert Charles Walsh, Gary, and John Michael Walsh, Valparaiso.

There are two other brothers. They are James Frederick Walsh, who resides at Burbank, Calif., and Thomas Walsh, Jr., who attended Valparaiso high school. There are also three sisters, Mrs. Frances Keper, Chicago; Mrs. Rachel Dian, Gary and Mrs. Phyllis Stephens, Valparaiso.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; August 22, 1950; Volume 24, Number 41, Page 1, Column 2


Burlington Beach Youth Killed In Korea
R. L. Emery Is Victim, Family Hears
First Valparaiso Youth Reported Dead In This War


Robert Lee Emery, 20, has been killed in action in Korea, his mother, Mrs. B. F. Ripley of Burlington Beach, learned Sunday night when she received a telegram from the war department. He died Oct. 15.

The decedent was born May 6, 1930, in Piedmont, Mo., and came to this area about 15 years ago. His father preceded him in death in 1931. He formerly lived in Valparaiso where he attended Central school and had resided with his mother at Flint lake prior to enlisting in the Army in 1949.

Emery was the first resident of the Valparaiso area to be officially reported as killed in action in this war. However, two other Porter county youths, Robert Payne, 20, and Richard Lewry, both of Furnessville, were reported to have been killed in Korea July 24 and Aug. 31, respectively. Another Valparaiso youth, Pvt. Donald E. Walsh, 19, was reported missing in action in Korea on July 20, and no further word has been received about him.

After his enlistment, Emery received his basic training in Kentucky and later was sent to Japan where he was stationed when war broke out in Korea last June. Details surrounding his death were not included in the telegram received Sunday by his mother.

Brief Time In Korea

He had been in Korea only a short time. His mother received a letter only last week which he had written while en route from Japan to Korea.

He was employed in the Gary Steel mills before enlisting in the Army.

Surviving in addition to his mother are four sister, Mrs. Florene Palmer of 1705 North Washington, Mrs. Louise Blake of 702 Franklin, Mrs. Mary Ann Bennett of RFD 5, Valparaiso, and Mrs. Dorothy Roden of Gary, and three brothers, Jeff Thompson of 1706 Washington, Lester Thompson of RFD 5, Valparaiso, and Jack Edward Emery of South Locust.

The brief telegram did not indicate when the victim's body would be sent back to this country.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; October 23, 1950; Volume 24, Number 94, Page 1, Column 2


Donald Walsh Killed, His Parents Told
Local Youth Dies In Action During Allied Retreat

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh, 354 Lafayette St., today are in receipt of an official notification from the Adjutant General's office that their son, Pfc. Donald E. Walsh, 20, was killed in action during the retreat of UN forces at Kaijon in Korea. Prior to this official word from Washington, Walsh had been reported missing in action on Aug. 23, 1950.

Pfc. Donald E. Walsh was born in Valparaiso Sept. 17, 1930, and was educated in the local elementary schools.

He volunteered for active duty three years ago, and was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division, famed for its missing in action commander, General William Dean, for duty in Korean hostilities.

Four of the decedent's six brothers served their country in World War II, with one brother, St. Richard Walsh re-enlisting for another hitch in the present conflict.

Mourning the death of the Valparaiso youth besides the bereaved parents, are six brothers and three sisters. They are: John and Thomas Walsh, and Mrs. Phyllis Stephens, all of Valparaiso; Robert Walsh and Mrs. Rachel Dion of Gary; James Walsh and Mrs. Frances Kepner, of Burbank, Calif.; Harold Walsh of Elkhart; and Sgt. Richard Walsh, now stationed at Camp Cook, Calif.

Due to present regulations, the body will be interred in Japan, and will be shipped to the U. S. as soon as possible following the termination of hostilities in Korea.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; January 23, 1951; Volume 24, Number 170, Page 1, Column 4


Details On How Local GI Lost Life Reported

A Valparaiso youth died a hero's death while fighting with the United Nations forces in the vicinity of Taejon, South Korea, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Walsh, 354 South Lafayette, members of the family reported today.

Pfc. Donald E. Walsh, member of Company H, 19th Infantry, lost his life on July 20, 1950, as a result of action against enemy forces, according to Lt. Colonel Oliver D. Kenney, in a letter sent to the parents.

"At the time of his death his unit was engaged in extremely heavy fighting which continued without respite for hours," the letter recites.

The missive continues:

"When the fighting was over and surviving members of his company reassembled, Pfc. Walsh was reported 'missing in action.' Later Graves Registration personnel found and identified his body. He then received the final religious service by a chaplain of his faith and was buried in a military cemetery in Korea."
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; March 8, 1951; Volume 24, Number 208, Page 1, Column 7

 

North County Man Killed In Action On Korean Front

CHESTERTON, May 22 -- Pvt. Robert M. Lee, 23, Chesterton, was killed April 24 in action in Korea, relative in Chesterton were notified Monday by the war department.

He was the third Porter county soldier to die in action in the Korean war.

Pvt. Lee, a 1946 graduate of Chesterton High school, was born Oct. 23, 1927, in LaPorte, and had lived in the Chesterton area since he was two years old.

After his graduation from high school, he worked two years in Smedman's IGA store, Chesterton. He entered the army last Oct. 12 and was stationed at Camp Atterbury and in Washington on the west coast before leaving for Japan and Korea.

He landed in Korea April 6 and was killed in action 18 days later.

Prior to entering the service, he had resided with his grandmother, Mrs. Emma Holst, and uncle, Russell M. Lee, at 615 South 3rd, Chesterton.

Other survivors are his mother, Mrs. Ida Lee, Porter; father, George Lee, Gary; three brothers, Eugene, Chesterton, Charles Jack and Patrick Ray, Porter, and two sisters, Mrs. Emma Prentiss, East Gary, and Miss Eileen Lee, Porter.

Pvt. Robert Lee Emery, 31, Burlington Beach, killed last Oct. 15 in Korean action, and Pfc. Donald E. Walsh, 20, of 354 Lafayette, Valparaiso, were other Porter county victims of the Korean war.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; May 22, 1951; Volume 24, Number 271, Page 1, Columns 6 and 7


Plan Military Service For Donald Walsh
Body of Korean War Victim Is Now In Country


The body of Pfc. Donald E. Walsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh, 961 West Lincolnway, has arrived in the United States, according to an announcement by the Defense department.

He was among the 600 Korean dead aboard the Malden Victory that docked Sunday in San Francisco.

the parents received word Saturday from the government of the scheduled arrival of the body but were not apprised that additional word would be sent them. A military escort will accompany the body here, and the Charles Pratt Post, No. 94, American Legion, will hold military rites. The LePell funeral home will be in charge of the burial.

Pfc. Walsh was killed in action during the retreat of UN forces at Kaijon. Prior to that he was reported missing in action on Aug. 23, 1950, according to word from Washington.

Was Educated Here

Born in Valparaiso Sept. 17, 1930, Pfc. Walsh was educated in the local elementary schools.

He volunteered for active duty nearly four years ago and was assigned to the 24th Infantry division, famed for its missing action commander, Gen. William Dean, for duty in Korea.

Four of the decedent's six brothers served their country in World War II, with one brother, Richard, enlisting for another hitch in the Korean conflict.

Besides the parents, the decedent is survived by six brothers and three sisters, John and Thomas Walsh, and Mrs. Phyllis Stevens, all of Valparaiso; Robert Walsh and Mrs. Rachel Dion, of Gary; James Walsh and Mrs. Francis Kepner, of Burbank, Calif.; Harold, of Elkhart, Ind., and Sgt. Richard Walsh, of the U. S. Army.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; October 17, 1951; Volume 25, Number 89, Page 1, Column 3


Await Body Of War Hero
Robert L. Emery Was Kill In Action Year Ago

Another Korean war hero who gave his life on the field of battle is to be brought back to Valparaiso for burial.

He is Robert L. Emery, 20, son of Mrs. B. F. Ripley, of Blackhawk Beach, Flint lake. Young Emery was killed in action Oct. 15, 1950.

Mrs. Ripley had received work last week from the Defense department that the body of her son was on its way back to the United States. Later she received word that the body had arrived in San Francisco on the Malden Victory.

Also among the 600 Korean dead on the Malden Victory was Pfc. Donald Walsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh, 961 Lincolnway, Valparaiso. The two dead soldiers were friends and former schoolmates.

Attended Junior High

Young Emery was born in Piedmont, Mo., May 6, 1930, and came to Porter county 16 years ago. He attended Central Junior High school and enlisted in the army in 1949.

He received his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and was sent to Japan, where he was stationed when the Korean conflict broke out in June, 1950. He was sent to Korea and had been there only a short time when he was killed.

The body will be brought to the LePell funeral home here, accompanied by a military escort, and military funeral rites will be conducted in charge of Charles Pratt Post, American Legion. Arrangements are incomplete.

Young Emery is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ripley; four sisters, Mrs. Florene Palmer and Mrs. Louise Blake, Valparaiso; Mrs. Mary Ann Bennett, RFD 5, Valparaiso, and Dorothy Rode, Gary, and three brothers, Jeff Thompson, Lester Thompson and Jack Edward Emery, all of Valparaiso.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; October 20, 1951; Volume 25, Number 92, Page 1, Column 5


Rites Planned For Pfc. Donald Walsh, Killed in Korea

Memorial services for Pfc. Donald E. Walsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Walsh, of 904 Lincolnway, and casualty of the Korean conflict, will be held at 9 a. m. Wednesday in St. Paul's Roman Catholic church, with the Rev. Raymond G. Derrick officiating. The Charles Pratt Post, No. 94, American Legion, will have charge of the committal services at St. Paul's cemetery.

The body of the soldier hero, first Valparaiso man to lose his life in Korea, arrived in Valparaiso at 12:01 p. m. today and was taken to the LePell funeral home. Accompanying the body as military escort was his brother, M/Sgt. Richard L. Walsh, who was in Japan.

Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock at the LePell funeral home, 53 Monroe, the rosary will be recited.

The decedent was born in Valparaiso, Sept. 3, 1930, and attended the Central and Gardner schools. After completing the 8th grade he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was killed in action in Korea July 20, 1950.

Besides his parents, he is survived by the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Rachel Dian, Gary; Harold T. Walsh, Elkhart, Ind.; James F. Walsh and Mrs. Frances E. Kepner, Burbank, Calif.; Robert C. Walsh, Garyton, Ind.; M/Sgt. Richard L. Walsh, U. S. Army; Mrs. Phyllis R. Stephens, Valparaiso, and John Michael and Thomas, Jr., at home.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; November 5, 1951; Volume 25, Number 105, Page 6, Column 1


Friends of Pfc. Walsh Can Call At LePell's

Friends of Pfc. Donald E. Walsh, killed in action in Korea, may call at the LePell funeral home, 53 Monroe, this evening and until time of services Wednesday morning at 9 a. m. at St. Paul's Catholic church. The Rev. Raymond Derrick will officiate. Charles Pratt Post, No. 94, American Legion, will have charge of committal services at the grave in St. Paul's cemetery.
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Source: The Vidette-Messenger, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana; November 6, 1951; Volume 25, Number 106, Page 3, Column 4


Return to List of Porter County Korean War Casualties

Information abstracted and transcribed by Steven R. Shook

 

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