Duplin to honor Korean War dead
By From staff reports
Published in News on October 23, 2016 12:42 AM
KENANSVILLE -- Duplin County and the Duplin County Historical Society will unveil and dedicate a granite monument as a permanent memorial to the men from Duplin County who died in the Korean War. The ceremony will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, November 4, 2016, on the South Grounds of the Duplin County Court House in Kenansville.
All Korean War Veterans will be honored as Special Guests, and all Military Veterans will be recognized. Seating will be provided, and handicapped parking will be available nearby. Please telephone 910-296-1111 to make reservations.
To date, the Historical Society has identified the following men from Duplin County who died in the Korean War: Freeman Earl Boykin, Faison Township; Elmer Jasper Branch, Wolfscrape Township; Earl Thomas Brinson, Wallace; John Donald Dail, Albertson Township; Joseph Sanders Flowers, Calypso; Craig Hinton Hearn, Teachey; Orlin Norwood Lanier, Chinquapin; James Merritt Jr.; Faison Township; William Donald Price, Kenansville; James Edward Swinson, Warsaw; Alton Lewis Tadlock, Faison; James Ralph Thompson,Wolfscrape Township; John William Uptegrove Faison Township; Reynolds Williams, Kenansville; Hallie William Wilson, Warsaw Township.
The public is asked to help ensure that everyone eligible is identified, and also in identifying any surviving family members. The Historical Society also would like to identify each man's home town, rank and branch of service, dates of birth and death, and names of parents, siblings, wives, children and other family members.
If sufficient information can be obtained, the Historical Society would like to publish a book containing biographical sketches of each man. In addition to the usual information contained in official biographies, reminiscences of friends and personal stories about those killed are being sought. Photographs, civilian and military, also are being sought.
If you know anything about any of the men named above, or any other Duplin County men who died in the Korean War, contact Kenansville attorney Charles Ingram at 910-296-1111.