June 24, 2004
Online Web Sites Offer Korean War KIA/POW/MIA/Wounded in Action (WIA) and Died of Wounds (DOW) Information
The Korean War Project Web site, which has provided service to veterans, families, researchers, and students of military history since February 1995, offers many databases of value to family and friends of the men and women who were killed or wounded or are listed among those who are carried on the rolls as Missing in Action (MIA) or Prisoner of War (POW) during that war which lasted from 1950 to 1953.
The Project began in 1979 as part of a family history. The founder is Hal Barker, a photojournalist, writer, designer/inventor/journeyman carpenter, a graduate of North Carolina State University in History, and founder and initial contributor, to establish the Korean War Veterans Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C., administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
The site, located at http://www.koreanwar.org, contains comprehensive databases which can be used to find the names of those who were killed in action, wounded in action, died of wounds, were missing in action or were taken as prisoners of war. Click on "Korean War Project," then on "KIA-MIA Databases."
The search can be conducted by using the name of the veteran or by using the name of the state, city or county, the branch of service or even by typing in the name of the unit to which the veteran was assigned.
Information revealed includes the veteran's full name, race, rank, unit, service number, branch of service, date of loss, home of record, date of birth, and how the veteran was killed or wounded or when he was reported as MIA or POW.
Veterans, family and friends can add their own personal words of remembrances to any of the names on the database and Huntington County Veterans' Service Officer, Tom Applegate, has corresponded with the Web site to determine the feasibility of adding a picture of the veteran to the information already there.
The site also offers links to Korean War Memorials across the nation and to the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The American Battle Monuments Commission Web site, located at http://www.abmc.gov, offers a similar service. Additionally, free certificates containing pertinent data about the veteran can be obtained. Click on "Korean War Listing," then follow the appropriate directions.
