Army Cpl. Vernon D. Presswood, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Presswood was a member of Heavy Mortar Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, as one of approximately 2,500 U.S. Soldiers who were assembled with 700 South Korean soldiers, in the 31st Regimental Combat Team. The RCT was deployed east of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when it was engaged by overwhelming numbers of Chinese forces, driving the remnants of the 31st RCT to begin a fighting withdrawal to a more defensible position.
At the end of the battle, Presswood could not be accounted for and he was reported missing in action as of Dec. 2, 1950.
During the 25th Joint Recovery Operation in 2001, U.S. and North Korean recovery teams conducted operations in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, where Presswood was reported missing in action. At least seven individuals’ remains were recovered.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Presswood’s remains were included.
Interment services are pending.