Army Cpl. Joseph Trepasso, missing from the Korean War, has now been accounted for.
In late November 1950, Trepasso was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division on the east side of the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, when Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces (CPVF) attacked the regiment and forced the unit to withdraw south to the Pungnyuri Inlet. Many soldiers became surrounded and attempted to escape and evade the enemy, but were captured and marched to POW camps. Trepasso was subsequently declared missing in action as a result of the battle that occurred Dec. 12, 1950.
In September 2001, a U.S. and Korean People’s Army recovery team conducted a Joint Recovery Operation in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, Changjin County, Changjin District, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea, based on information provided by two Korean witnesses. During the excavation, the team recovered material evidence and possible human remains for at least seven individuals.
Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Cpl. Trepasso’s remains were included.
Interment services are pending.