July 30, 2024 - Gathered at the Shelby County Veterans Memorial on Monday, July 29, 2024, were members of VFW Post 8904 and Auxiliary in honor of those who served in the Korean War.
Richard Lundie, Post Chaplain, offered the opening prayer and Larry Hume, Post Quartermaster, welcomed and thanked all in attendance of the 71st anniversary of the signing of the peace armistice which ended the Korean War which lasted from June 5, 1950 until July 27, 1953.
Hume reminded everyone that although it has at times been called a “conflict,” it was in fact a war.
“With 33,686 battle deaths, 2,830 non-battle deaths, 103,000 wounded, and still missing in action from the Korean War are over 7,600 Americans,” said Hume.
He stated that those who served in that time can’t be thanked and recognized enough and seven from Shelby County were killed in action, one is still missing in action, and four that were prisoners of war unfortunately have passed on.
A roll call of honor was recited by Jan Ramsey, Beverly Langford, and Linda Lundie.
The names are as follows:
- Floyd Harris killed in action in September 24, 1950
- Clifford Hughes killed in action August 13, 1950
- Johnny V. Mena killed in action April 19, 1951
- Bobbie F. Mock killed in action November 22, 1950
- Billy Clyde Stephenson killed in action November 5, 1952
- Leonard Williams killed in action May 18, 1951
- Willie Wilson killed in action May 27, 1951
- Willie E. Windham missing in action since August 12, 1950
- Herbert L. Langford, North Korean prisoner of war
- Pearl D. Lucas, North Korean prisoner of war
- Billy Westcoat, Chinese prisoner of war
- Leonard Scott, North Korean prisoner of war
Hume then stated the following in remembrance of John Piersol, a devoted member of the VFW who recently passed away, “On the first day of this month, our VFW Post lost a long-time life member, John Alan Piersol. John served as our post commander from 2009 to 2011 and he served in a number of other positions throughout the years. He was a charter member of our post honor guard and he gave 462 hours rendering final military funeral honors to Shelby County veterans. Now, John was a proud U.S. Army paratrooper who served in the Korean War, born in Marion, Ohio. He joined the Army on January the 5, 1951 in Dallas, Texas. He served for two years and nine months, with two years and seven months of that time overseas. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class. He also served as an agent in the 21st Military Police Detachment of the 21st Criminal Investigation Section.
“Now, upon his honorable discharge, October the 4th, 1953, John was awarded the Korean Service Medal with five bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, merit unit citation, the Army of Occupation Medal for Japan, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Infantry Man badge, along with the parachutist badge. At our Memorial Day program a couple of years ago in May of 2022, Comrade Piersol was presented the Ambassador for Peace Medal from the Republic of Korea, if you all remember that. The proclamation from the Minister of Veteran Affairs, Republic of Korea, read in part, ‘it is a great honor and a pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you, John Piersol, and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy.'”
Piersol’s son, John Jr. was present for the program and he placed the memorial wreath in honor of his father and all the Korean War veterans.
Hume shared a card from VFW and Auxiliary which he presented to John Piersol, Jr.
Taps was then played as presented by Mike Langford, Service Officer, in honor of those who gave their lives during the Korean War and those who served and since passed.
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VFW Post 8904 Recognizes Korean War Armistice; Piersol Recalls Time of Service
VFW Post 8904 Hosts Memorial Day Program at Windham Civic Center
