Muscatine County, Iowa Honoring Those Who Died While Serving In The Korean Conflict

Source: Muscatine Journal Tuesday, December 30, 1952, page 23
Submitted by Lynn McCleary, August 8, 2020

SIX MUSCATINE COUNTY MEN MET DEATH IN KOREA
Records Reveal Several Others Were Injured

Photos of Pvt. Clarence J. Morgan, Pvt. Rayomd J. Schmelzer and Everette Harper

Muscatine families were saddened during the year when official word was received of the death of family members on the battlefield of Korea. Six Muscatine county men were reported killed in the 12 month period.

Pfc. Thomas E. Tumey, 20, son of Mrs. Marie Tumey, 707 West Third street, was killed March 10, while serving with the First Marine division in Korea. He had completed 16 months in service, five of them in Korea at the time of his death. The body was returned to the United States for burial May 20.

Pvt. Clarence J. Morgan died May 8 in Korea as the result of gunshot wounds, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest F. Morgan, 1325 Grand avenue. Pvt. Morgan received his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood., Mo., and went overseas Nov. 24, 1951. The body was returned here on Aug. 21. Burial was in Greenwood cemetery.

Pvt. Everette C. Harper, nephew of Mrs. Louis Gray, 154 Sherman street, was killed in Korea, July 16, while serving with the 23rd Infantry regiment of the Second division as a machine gunner. Pvt. Harper who made his home with the Grays, entered service Dec. 6, 1951 and received his basic training at Fort Riley, Kan. He arrived in Japan, June 14.

Sgt. LeRoy Frick, son of Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Frick of Davenport, former residents of Muscatine, was killed Aug. 20 while in combat duty in Korea. He entered the Marine Corps in October of 1950 and received his basic training at Parris Island, S. C., and Camp Lejeune, N. C. Burial was in the Durant cemetery, Oct. 21.

Fred Wright, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wright of Rock Falls, Ill., and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wright, West Liberty, was killed in action in Korea, Sept. 22. He had been in Korea since June.

Pvt. Raymond J. Schmelzer who entered service in January of 1952 was killed in action in Korea on Rt. 24, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Kathryn Shmelzer, rural route 3, and his mother, Mrs. George Tobias, 720 Fulliam avenue. Pvt. Schmelzer received his basic training with the Third Armored division at Ft. Knox, Ky.

Official message from the defense department also brought word to next of kin that other Muscatine county men, and service personnel from nearby areas suffered injuries in the Korean war. Some were out of service for only a brief time while other incurred more serious injuries which required hospitalization.