Sign in or create a free account to curate your search content.
Korea
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. In response, the U.S. sent troops, and West Virginia draft boards began calling up men in late July. About 652 West Virginians were drafted at that time, with inductions starting in September.
Several West Virginia National Guard units were activated. Some served in Germany and Europe, while others, like the 1092nd Engineer Combat Battalion, fought directly in Korea. These soldiers took part in four major campaigns and returned home in 1952. The war ended with a cease-fire on July 27, 1953.
Around 112,000 West Virginians served in the Korean War. Of those, 801 died, over 2,000 were wounded, and four received the Medal of Honor.
Vietnam
The Vietnam War lasted from 1965 to 1973, though U.S. involvement began earlier. The war ended in 1975 when North Vietnam took over the South.
More than 3 million Americans served, and over 57,000 died. West Virginia sent 36,578 troops, and 1,182 were killed. The state had one of the highest death rates in the nation. Nine West Virginians earned the Medal of Honor
Army private Kenneth Shadrick of Wyoming County was among the first U.S. servicemen killed in action in the Korean War, on July 5, 1950. For many years, he was considered the first U.S. fatality of the war. However, more recent information suggest...
Kyle was a Medal of Honor recipient from Boone County. He joined the Army in 1939 and earned medals for bravery in World War II. After the war, he returned home but later reenlisted and served in Korea.In the Korean War, Kyle helped rescue wounded...
Charlton was born in East Gulf, Raleigh County, and later moved with his family to New York. He joined the U.S. Army in 1946 and served in Germany, Japan, and Korea.In 1951, Charlton volunteered for combat in Korea and joined the Army’s last all-B...
Pomeroy was born in Quinwood, Greenbrier County, and joined the Army in 1951. After training in Hawaii, he was sent to Korea, where he served as a machine gunner with the 31st Infantry Regiment.On October 15, 1952, during a battle near Triangle Hi...
Raleigh County native Plumley (pictured right) served in three wars: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Born in Shady Spring, he enlisted in the Army in 1942 and fought at Salerno and Normandy. In the Korean War, he served with the 187th Airborne I...
Thomas W. Bennett was a conscientious objector who earned the Medal of Honor for his bravery as an Army medic in the Vietnam War. Born in Morgantown, he was active in school, church, and the Boy Scouts. Though he opposed the war, he chose to serve...
Rogers was born in Claremont, Fayette County, and graduated from West Virginia State College (now University) in 1951. He joined the military through the ROTC program and served in the Vietnam War.Rogers earned the Medal of Honor for his actions o...
Astronaut Jon McBride was born in Charleston and raised in Beckley. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and earned a degree in aeronautical engineering.After joining the Navy, McBride became a pilot and flew 64 combat missions in Vietnam....