Pieces of History – Rowan County Korean War POWs
“Two Rowan County families rejoiced today as the War Department officially announce their sons had been returned to the allied lines at Panmunjom in the Korean prisoner of war exchange. The War Department listed the Rowan Countians:
Corporal James C. Davis, 24th Division, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cordie (Lenora) Davis of RFD 2, Morehead and Corporal Vernon E. Harr, 38th FA Bn., 2nd Division, son of Mrs. Thelma Harr Moore, Farmers, and Emory Harr of Dayton Ohio.”
Both had been Prisoners of War for over three years and according to the Rowan County News, they were the only two soldiers from Rowan County reported missing or POW.
Cpl. Davis was first reported missing on July 16, 1950, and had entered the service one year prior to being captured. Cpl. Harr entered the service in October, 1949 and was taken captive in November, 1950.
Both men were captured in the bloody fighting in the fall of 1950, less than three weeks after getting to the front lines. They were not in the same camp and were not acquainted.
The Army stated that both men fared better than many prisoners of war in the long imprisonment and were in good spirits and good health. The families heard from their sons every three to four months with heavily censored letters, and it was believed that the prisoners were not permitted to write anything bad like illnesses, poor conditions and etc. The Rowan County POW’s were among the first to be captured and the last to be released.
Plans for a “Welcome Home” were planned for September, 1953, spearheaded by the Corbie Ellington Post of the American Legion.
The Legion appointed Joe Mauk chair of the celebration with assistance from Paul J. Reynolds, Malon Hall, Albert Patton, and Russell Barker. A short parade was planned and the Mayor asked all businesses to close during the parade. The Legion asked the presidents of other civic groups, such as Lions, Kiwanis, Merchant Club, Board of Trade, Rowan County Woman’s Club, Morehead Men’s Club, and the Boy and Girl Scouts to assist with the celebration.
Cpl. Davis was met at the Maysville Railroad station by his parents and a delegation from the Corbie Ellington American Legion Post. Davis had flown from the west coast to Cincinnati and then by train to Maysville.
Cpl. Harr was met at the Lexington airport by his mother and seven brothers and sisters. His father could not be present as he was in the Veterans Hospital in Fort Thomas.
The parade starting on West Main Street, led by the Morehead High School marching band, to the courthouse. There was a brief program on the courthouse lawn with County Attorney Elijah Hogge as Master of ceremonies. Mayor Layne issued a proclamation setting the day they arrive as “Corporal Davis and Corporal Harr Day”. Elijah Hogge, toastmaster, Invocation by Reverend Marvin Tate, introduction of Cpl's Harr and Davis and their families, presentation of key to the city by Mayor William Layne, presentation of gold watches by Kenneth Bays, presentation of $100 war bonds by Earl McBrayer, President of the Merchant’s Club, presentation of flowers to mothers of the soldiers by Morehead Woman’s Club, and conferring of Kentucky Colonel Commissions on Davis and Harr by Congressman John Watts. Over 2,500 people attended the homecoming.
Cpl. James Clyde Davis (12/14/1926-1978) joined the United States Navy in 1942, during World War II and served three years in the Navy.
He reenlisted in the United States Army in June 1949, following his basic training, he was sent to Japan in the Army of Occupations, with the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, he was sent there immediately after the war began. Because of his previous military experience, he was soon appointed to the rank of Corporal.
He was taken prisoner July 15, 1950. Cpl. Davis was reported MIA, missing in action and presumed dead. Eighteen months later, the family received a telegram, saying Corporal Davis was listed among the prisoners of war in North Korea.
Cpl. Vernon E. Harr (9/2/1932 - 4/15/2012) was part of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's' "Home By Christmas" offensive that pushed United Nations troops north of the Korean Peninsula's 38th parallel and up to the Yalu River border with China. Ten days later, he was a prisoner of war. According to his brother Dennis, Vernon never totally got over his time in the POW camp.
Article by Cindy Leach
Sources
Rowan County News - August 27, 1953, September 3, 1953, September 10, 1950, September 17, 1950.
https://www.bryantimes.com/news/local/vets-tab-brother-had-lost-local-connection/article_a7107a92-143c-52cf-96d8-5bf564a7d2ea.html
Find a Grave.com
Ancestry.com
Photos courtesy Art Stewart Collection