McKean County

PRISONERS
of
WAR

James Dunning
Engineering Corps
Eldred
Declared Prisoner of War in Berlin, Germany

ELDRED EAGLE: James Dunning was called to service on May 17 and went overseas to France in July. A letter smuggled out of Germany to his brother Lew Dunning stated that he had been treated to barbarious treatments, including his tongue being cut out. James Dunning writing to his brother says he has no ambition now to come back, for he has no tongue, and feeds himself by a tube and bottle.

Staff Sergeant Floyd M. Carl
Mount Jewett
8th Army Air Force
Missing in Action / Shot down over Stuttgart, Germany
September 6, 1943

Evaded capture with assistance of French Resistance. Traveled through occupied France with forged documents until reaching the English Channel. Picked up by boat and transported to England, arriving December 27, 1943.

Private Robert J. Milks
Bradford (also Cattaraugus, NY)
19th Squadron, 20th Army Air Force Base Group
Prisoner of War: Japan, 1942 surrender of Philippines
Missing in Action: September 7, 1944.

Private Milks was being transported on the Prisoner of War "HELL SHIP" Shinyo Maru when it was torpedoed and sunk accidentally by the US submarine USS Paddle on September 7, 1944 off the coast of Mindanao, Philippines. Of the 750 American prisoners on board, 668 drowned and 82 survived.

Tech Sergeant Stanley E. Milks
Bradford (also Cattaraugus, NY)
HQ Squadron, V Interceptor Command, AAF
Missing in Action: July 19, 1942

Sgt Milks was taken prisoner by Japanese forces when the Philippines surrendered in 1942. He died in a prisoner camp near Manila and his body was never recovered.

Captain Charles Monson
Kane
Captured with 112th Regiment, 28th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge.

While being transported as POW by Germans, American aircraft attacked the column killing many prisoners, including Monson, on December 23, 1944.

Buried: Plot I, Row 7, Grave 17
Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands

Ensign Daniel Reed
Port Allegany
submarine USS Grayling
Prisoner of War: Japan

Aboard the submarine USS Grayling when it was attacked by Japanese naval forces in Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, September 12, 1943. Reed was originally listed as missing in action and presumed drowned on September 30, 1943. On April 9, 1945 word was received by his mother that he was alive. He succeeded in getting clear of the sinking submarine but was taken prisoner by the Japanese and interred in the Philippines. Reed managed to escape from the prison camp and was severely injured in the attempt. He was rescued by American forces during the liberation of the Philippines.

Corporal Jay E. Beck
Bradford
HQ Battery, 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division
Died of Wounds: February 16, 1951 while prisoner of war
Age: 20

Beck was seriously wounded on February 13, 1951 before taken prisoner by the North Korean forces near Hoengsong, South Korea. His remains were not recovered.

Private First Class Robert L. Paul
Ludlow
Company B, 32nd Infantry, 7th Infantry Division
Missing in Action: December 2, 1950
Age: 19

He was listed as Missing in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on December 2, 1950. He was presumed dead on January 15, 1954.

Master Sergeant Charles M. Rhodes
Bradford
Battery B, 555th Field Artillery Bttn, 5th Infantry Regimental Combat Team
Missing in Action: July 14, 1953 Kumsong, North Korea
Age: 38

Rhodes was a veteran of World War II. He was presumed dead on July 15, 1954.

Sergeant Albert E. Simmons
Smethport
Company B, 1st Battalion, 23 Infantry, 2nd Infantry Division
Killed: September 26, 1950 while Prisoner of War
Age: 22

He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy in South Korea on August 31, 1950 and was killed by a North Korean guard on September 26, 1950. His remains were not recovered.

Sergeant Jack C. Zuver
Bradford (also Cuba, NY)
Company K, 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry 25th Infantry Division
Died of Wounds: November 28, 1950 Parwon Myon, North Korea
Age: 27

Zuver was a decorated veteran of World War II. On November 28, 1950, he was defending a hill when his position was overrun. As his unit withdrew, he was mortally wounded in the chest from a mortar shell. His remains were not recovered.