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News & Stories
News | Sept. 27, 2016

Soldier Killed in Korean War Accounted For (Cowan)

Army Pfc. William W. Cowan, killed in the Korean War, has now been accounted for.


Cowan was a member of Company M, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when he was reported missing in action, after his unit attacked a road block set up by opposing forces near Hoengsong, South Korea, Feb. 12, 1951.


On Sept. 7, 1954, a set of remains reportedly recovered from the prisoner of war cemetery at Camps 1 and 3, Chang Song, North Korea, were sent to the Central Identification Unit for attempted identification. The set of remains designated X-14230 were declared unidentifiable and transferred to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.


On June 13, 2016, the remains designated as X-14230 were exhumed and sent to the laboratory for analysis.


Lab analysis, in conjunction with the totality of circumstantial evidence available, established Pfc. Cowan's remains were included.


Interment services are pending.


Welcome home and rest in peace, Pfc. Cowan.

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Public Affairs Contact Information


Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency PAO
Washington, D.C.
2300 Defense Pentagon
Attn: Outreach and Communications
Washington, D.C. 20301-2300
Email: dpaa.ncr.oc.mbx.public-affairs@mail.mil