tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187379777728560214.post677833213632540692..comments2008-12-22T15:03:15.171-06:00Gregg Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02243562709812313808noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5187379777728560214.post-73247496242216176362008-12-10T10:15:00.000-06:002008-12-10T10:15:00.000-06:00Operation GLORY<BR/>Condensed from Graves Registration Division,<BR/>Korean Communications Zone (KCOMZ)<BR/>Historical Summary, Jul-Dec 1954<BR/><BR/>The exchange of deceased military personnel between the United Nations in South Korea, and the Communists in North Korea, continued daily, except Sundays, until 21 September 1954. On that day North Korean representatives turned over 123 remains, and advised UN Graves Registration officials that there were no more to be delivered. The United Nations group continued delivering enemy deceased until 11 October. A final tally showed that 4,023 UN deceased personnel had been received from the North Koreans, and that 13,528 had been delivered to them.<BR/><BR/>Of the 14,074 remains of deceased enemy military personnel disinterred in the territory of the United Nations Command, 546 were determined to be civilians who died while interned in prisoner of war camps. The government of the Republic of Korea requested that the 546 remains be delivered to them for further delivery to the next of kin, who reside in South Korea. Of the 546 remains, seven were determined to be Unknown civilians. The seven remains were interred in Pusan, Korea. The remaining 539 remains were delivered to the Republic of Korea government on 30 October 1954.<BR/><BR/>At the last formal meeting on October 11th, both sides agreed to continue searching in remote areas, and if additional remains were discovered, they would be returned prior to the end of the month, if possible. The UN Chief of the Graves Registration Committee further advised the North Koreans that the exchange facilities would be left standing for as long as was felt necessary.<BR/><BR/>For their part the North Koreans announced that they had disinterred 78 more bodies, which they forwarded to UN officials the next day (October 12th). Then again 66 additional remains were handed over on November 9th. This brought to 4,167 the total number of United Nations deceased military personnel turned over by the North Koreans during Operation GLORY. [Link below]<BR/><BR/>&gt;&gt; http://www.qmmuseum.lee.army.mil/korea/op_glory.htm &lt;&lt;<BR/><BR/>My concern -regardless- of the numbers [4,167] returned in Operation Glory, many of these MIA&#39;s are listed by name-rank-and serial number- at the Punchbowl However they remain there instead of returned to next of kin. While I realize how complex it maybe to identify them-positively-many have the final link of DNA provided and with the name-rank-and serial number known as well, they remain interred at the Punchbowl instead of returned to relatives of that MIA. The question is why? I understand DNA can become contaninated over time and conditions, but once listed via name-rank and serial number, 85% of the identity is recorded. Article of clothing with the last intial was printed on each piece of clothing as well-as the last four numbers of that service mans/women serial number. <BR/><BR/>Example of two men, I knew in HQ&#39;s 57th FA. Bn. listed at the Punchbowl-only item missing is date of death which I have provided from a master list!<BR/><BR/> KOREA<BR/> RA16294480 <BR/> HANSEN, MACCA P<BR/> 06 Jan 1932 (*)<BR/> 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION, 57TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (105MM), HEADQUARTERS BATTERY<BR/> MICHIGAN<BR/> <BR/><BR/><BR/>* Date of death=6 Dec. &#39;50<BR/>KOREA<BR/> RA13276766 <BR/> SHANNON, ROBERT E<BR/> 06 Nov 1930 (*)<BR/> 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION, 57TH FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION (105MM), HEADQUARTERS BATTERY<BR/> PENNSYLVANIA<BR/> <BR/><BR/>* Date of death=6 Dec. &#39;50<BR/> <BR/> <BR/>Ray Vallowe<BR/>RCV@aol.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com