Cpl. Eldon Buchan (1928-1951)

BUCHAN, NONNEMAN

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 5/14/2016 at 06:44:48

Memorial Services Held For Cpl. Eldon Buchan,
Korean Vet

Memorial services were held Saturday, August 1, at the Congregational church at Sauk Centre, Minn., for Cpl. Eldon Buchan, a Korean veteran and prisoner of war.

The services were conducted by the Rev. Harold Peterson, pastor of the First Lutheran church. A color guard composed of Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion men was present for the services. Glenn Oldham, commander of the American Legion post, presented the casket flag to Cpl. Buchan's mother. Corrigan's funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Honorary bearers were: Bob Burgess, Leonard Winter, Ralph Winter, Norbert Marthaler, Lowell Sell and Amart Orth.

The following obituary was read at the service:

Eldon Rex Buchan, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Buchan, was born at Melvin, Iowa, November 3rd, 1928, and the accepted time of his death is October 31st, 1951, at the age of almost 23 years.

The Buchans moved from Melvin, Iowa, to Atwater, Minnesota, in the year of 1935 and lived there for seven years. They then moved to five miles west of Sauk Centre, where Eldon grew to young manhood on his father's farm, attending the rural school of that district, also one year of high school at Sauk Centre, after which he remained at home working with his parents on the farm. A year or so before his enlistment in the army he had gone to Minneapolis where he was employed by the Seegers Mfg. Co.

In the month of November, Eldon enlisted with one of his friends in the army and, after several months of basic and intensive training, he was assigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat team and with his group was sent to Korea in September, 1950, where they took an active part in the combat with the enemy.

On the 25th day of May, 1951, just two weeks before his eligibility to return back to the States on rotation, he was captured by the enemy while driving a truck, presumably conveying supplies. He reportedly died on the 31st of October, 1951, remaining in prison camp for a period of but five months.

Eldon was a good and respected boy, always willing to carry the share of the burden and as stated by his Commanding Officer he filled a position of responsibility and as a leader served as long as he was physically able.

Eldon was a nephew of Mrs. Lou Nonneman of Hartley.

Hartley Sentinel, Hartley, Iowa, Aug 13, 1953, p1