Kentucky
Korean War solider from KY laid to rest in hometown after 70 years
LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. — A southeastern Kentucky soldier was laid to relaxation in his hometown of Whitesburg after preventing within the Korean Battle.
Military Corporal Donald L. Menken went unaccounted for practically 70 years. The household went by blended feelings through the years, however they now have closure.
“I’m extraordinarily happy that he’s coming residence,” stated Combs.
What You Want To Know
- Military Corporal Donald L. Menken was 19 when he enlisted within the U.S. Military
- The fallen Korean Battle vet is survived by his sister, nephew and niece
- Fulton Combs is the nephew of Military Cpl. Menken
- Combs grew up with Military Cpl. Menken and so they handled one another like brothers
These are the phrases Fulton Combs stated after it was confirmed his uncle would return to the place they grew up in. The 2 are 11 years aside, and grew up in Appalachian southeastern Kentucky.
Combs stated they’d play within the creek and do what boys do till Donald L. Menken enlisted within the U.S. Military. His uncle can be referred to as Cpl. Menken from that time on.
A photograph of Cpl. Donald L. Menken as a toddler. (Spectrum Information 1/Diamond Palmer)
Tragically, two years after Military Cpl. Menken enlisted, he died at 21 years previous whereas guarding Outpost Harry close to Seoul, which is now thought of a demilitarized zone. Military Cpl. Menken was a member of Firm Ok, third Battalion, fifteenth Infantry Regiment, third Infantry Division.
The Menken household lastly has the closure they’ve been ready for. Military Cpl. Menken is again residence in Whitesburg after 70 years.
However Saturday was robust for Combs, as the 2 have been virtually joined on the hip.
“We ate collectively, slept collectively, every thing,” Combs stated. “He was not solely an uncle however an excellent buddy and a mentor as an enormous brother can be.”
Combs remembers lacking his uncle. He would typically write letters to his household. It’s one thing he did simply days earlier than his loss of life.
“When he left for the Military, it was a really lonely time for us. After which once we came upon later that he was lacking in motion, we have been extraordinarily involved,” stated Combs.
Members of the U.S. Military stand collectively at funeral companies for Military Cpl. Donald L. Menken in Ermine, Ky. (Spectrum Information 1/Diamond Palmer)
The uncle that Combs knew and liked was killed on June 11, 1954, whereas guarding what’s now a demilitarized zone. It wasn’t till February 2022 that Military Cpl. Menken was accounted for utilizing dental data and DNA.
It was part of a particular venture that included historians and anthropologists with the Protection POW/MIA Accounting Company to determine the 652 Korean Battle unknown burials from the Punchbowl (Nationwide Memorial Cemetery of Pacific in Honolulu).
“That meant quite a bit to us. For us to have the ability to do that for him now may be very little to provide for what he has suffered and gone by,” stated Combs.
On Might 14, 2022, Military Cpl. Menken earned full army honors as he was laid to relaxation in Ermine at Inexperienced Acres Cemetery.
Almost 7,500 Individuals stay unaccounted for from the Korean Battle, in line with the U.S. Military Human Sources Command—which implies the Menken household is simply one of many few with closure.
In the end, the household says they wouldn’t be at peace with out Military Cpl. Menken’s army brothers and sisters. For extra data on Military Cpl. Menken, click on right here.