Army Cpl. Joseph N. Pelletier, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In early February 1951, Pelletier was a member of Headquarters Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, when his unit began supporting Republic of Korea (ROK) Army attacks against units of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces (CPVF) in an area known as the Central Corridor in North Korea. On February 11, the CPVF launched a massive counterattack against the ROK regiment causing them to withdraw, leaving the American units to fight the CPVF at Changbong-ni. The CPVF attacked the Americans on February 12, causing them to withdraw south to Hoengsong. They eventually moved to Wonju, but Pelletier never reported in. The U.S. Army declared him missing in action as of Feb. 13, 1951.
Pelletier's name appeared on a list provided by the CPVF and Korean People's Army as a prisoner of war and returning American prisoners of war reported that Pelletier had been a prisoner and died sometime in April 1951 at the "Bean Camp." Based on this information, the U.S. Army declared him deceased as of April 30, 1951.
From 1990 to 1994, North Korean representatives turned over a total of 208 boxes of remains reported to be unaccounted-for U.S. servicemen from the Korean War. On May 13, 1992, they turned over 15 boxes of remains. These remains were reportedly recovered from Namjong-gu, Suan County, North Hwanghae Province, where Pelletier was believed to have died.
DNA analysis, as well as laboratory analysis, including anthropological and circumstantial evidence, were used in his identification.
Interment services are pending.