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