Marty O'Brien's Casualty Book
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| "The Korean War: Forgotten Soldiers of a Forgotten War….No longer forgotten!"  - authored by
Martin J. O’Brien, Augusta, Maine
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KWE Note: Marty O'Brien's Casualty Book was a limited edition publication that is now out of
print. The amount of research that went into the production of this book was tremendous and meticulous. Because
the KWE feels that the subject of Korean War casualties is of particular importance, we asked the author if he
would permit the entire text of his book to be reprinted onto the KWE. O'Brien graciously allowed his book
to be published on the site, with no charge to the Korean War Educator Foundation. Sadly, Marty died of
heart attacks and heart complications on June 28, 2006, in Portland, Maine. - Lynnita |
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Table of Contents:
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Message from Marty O'Brien
Dear Reader:
 Over the years, looking at a multitude of books and
articles on the Korean War, I noticed that the stated casualty statistics for Korea were all over the place.
Some claimed that over 54,000 men died in Korea, some said over 60,000, others opined 27,000, 33,000, etc.
Everyone and his brother seemed to have a different set of figures!
So I started to investigate. I contacted a lot of agencies and individuals who were knowledgeable. I got a
lot of help. What I finally concluded is contained in a study that I published in September 1998 and now is
published in e-form on this site.
Based on my research, I found that the best estimates at the time were that 36,651 men died in Korea from
both battle and non-battle causes; and, another 17,355 died in other locations worldwide from non-hostile
causes.
My digging also provided me with an unexpected bonus! It enabled me to be able to ferret out the Army
non-battle deaths by name and publish them in print, for the first time ever - anywhere!
Naturally, I shared my research with officials at the Department of Defense, whose Directorate of Information
Operations and Reports used the information to crosscheck and update their entire casualty data base, and to add
over 2,000 Army non-battle casualties, which previously had not been listed.
I also shared my work with officials of the American Battle Monuments Commission, who at the time were
building a data base (Honor Roll) for an interactive computer system, which linked the ABMC with the kiosk at
the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. They were happy to be able to add hundreds of names which
they did not have in their data base, or on the ABMC website at
www.abmc.gov.
And, the statistics have been of help to literally hundreds of individuals who have contacted me over the
years with questions and requests for information - including authors, newspaper and magazine editors, and
researchers.
On January 1, 2001, the updated DOD roster hit the street! Prior to that date, Department of Defense rosters
contained only Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force hostile and non-hostile deaths. Now, for the first time, over
2,000 Army non-battle casualties were officially listed in print.
Since then, the Department of Defense has continued to work on the data base. As of March 2004, the
statistics once again have been revised. As it stands now, the data base contains the names of 36,576 battle and
non-battle casualties.
A total of 17,670 deaths which occurred outside of the Korean Theater, and outside of the dates of the Korean
War, June 25, 1950 and July 27, 1953, or elsewhere in the world, have yet to be published. The DOD is working
with the Services to create lists. When, and if they ever are published, both the war deaths and the other
worldwide deaths will total 54,246 - the number engraved on the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.
C.
As you read through this 1998 study, please keep in mind that even though the casualty stats have changed,
you might find some of the statistics researched to be of some value. In addition, there may be other
information in the book that you may find interesting, perhaps thought-provoking!
The second edition of my book is no longer available in book form; there will be no third edition. The study
has served its purpose.
Pull up a chair, grab a beer, start reading and enjoy!
Martin J. O’Brien, Augusta, Maine. May 6, 2004.
Please visit The Cpl Clair
Goodblood Medal of Honor Memorial.
Book Raves:
"I wish to personally thank you for furnishing me with your list of non-battle casualties. I had picked up
all but 210 names from our record books….Thank you again for your exhausting work on getting the names off the
microfilm. You made a major impact on the Kiosk and the [American Battle Monuments Commission] "Honor Roll."
- Col. Frederick C. Badger, USA Ret.
"[Letter to Rep. Susan Molinari] Please convey to Mr. O’Brien, our [American Battle Monuments Commission]
appreciation of the extensive labor and dedication he has made to ensure that those who have made the supreme
sacrifice so that others may live in freedom are honored."
- Col. Anthony N. Corea, USAF
"Marty, have just finished reading your excellent "booklet," which is much more than that. You have truly
done a tremendous job and I am sure it has taken a great deal of work and dedication. This is truly a
magnificent contribution to the subject!"
- Norman Zehr, Korean War Veteran
"Marty, I’ve just finished reading your Korean War manuscript—very masterful. Well done and obviously deeply
researched and scholarly presented. I wish you luck in placing it in as many libraries and study centers as
possible so it will be of maximum help to all who desire to enhance their knowledge of our Korean War and its
ghastly costs in casualties among all of the participating countries."
- Sherman Pratt, Korean War Veteran
"Quite a book, Marty. Sorting out the numbers must have been an awful chore—but a real public service."
- Phil Tiemann, Korean War Veteran
"An outstanding production; very neat and well put together. I know that a lot of effort and emotion went
into this excellent publication. I think it is an important historical document."
- Rose McKinley, Sister of Deceased POW
"O’Brien’s book is superb; you have to go over it a thousand times and learn something more each time. You
can’t digest it all at once, that’s for sure."
- Mike Thomason, Korean War Veteran
"There are many myths and misunderstandings about the actual figures for Korean War casualties, but Marty
O’Brien has checked, double-checked and searched out the truth. The Korean War Museum and Library strives for
historical accuracy in presenting the facts about the Korean War to the men and women who served in it and to
the members of the general public who want information about it. Marty does not claim that his information is
one-hundred percent mistake-proof, but to date the O’Brien research is the best compilation of data the museum
trustees [Korean War Museum & Library, Tuscola, IL) have seen on the topic."
- Lynnita Sommer Brown, Trustee
"I really enjoyed reading your book, and thanks to men like you and others we may some day close this chapter
out for good in our lifetime."
- Donald D. Down, Korean War Veteran
"Marty, you have really put a lot of time and energy into this. It really shows. It also shows a lot of
compassion and dedication. Thanks. Quite a job you did."
- Jerry Bryant, Korean War Veteran
"We find your book very helpful and have been using it for our research. We never had a listing of the Army
non-battle fiche. We did have info from ABMC we used to update DNB. However, between the time of the TAGO file
and this file, there appears to have been a scrub that we were not aware of which changed some DNB to other
categories. As a result, these personnel were missing from out files until we researched the info in your book.
We really appreciate the work you did. We are also using it to complete our research where DPMO is looking for
bodies of personnel that we don’t show at all." [May 22, 2000]
- Tom Campbell, Department of Defense,
Directorate of Information, Operations & Research
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Dedication
Dedicated to the memory of Corporal Robert M. Englehart, a boyhood friend. Bob, a member of Company C, 19th
Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, was captured on November 4, 1950 along the Ch’ongch’on River near the
Sinanju area. He officially was declared dead on August 17, 1951.
Bob survived all of the early battles of the Korean War, only to die of neglect and disease in a brutal,
godless Communist prison camp along the Yalu River. Corporal Robert M. Englehart, Regular army, died in a
uniform he loved, for a service he loved, for a country he loved—and not too many Americans cared at the time.
But, he and the men and women who served, fought, bled, died in that terrible war in Asia so many years ago
shall never be forgotten by those who were there.
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(Click picture for a larger view)
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Ceremony naming street
after Cpl Englehart.
(Click picture for a larger view)
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Corporal Robert M. Englehart
Born in Boston, MA on January 1, 1932
Enlisted in the Regular Army on January 7, 1949
Serial Number: RA 11 183 007
After basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, he was assigned to Company C, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry
Division at Beppu, Japan, and went to Korea with his company. He was wounded twice. He was captured by Chinese
Communist Forces (CCF) on November 4, 1950. He died while a POW at CCF prison camp #5 at Pyoktong, North
Korea. He died from pellagra and was declared dead on August 17, 1951 by the U.S. government. His actual date
of death probably was around April 10, 1951, according to a fellow POW who saw him being taken to the camp
"sick house", never to return.
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Disclaimer
The first thing that the reader must understand is that this is not a book in the traditional sense. I prefer
to call it a study in progress. My main purpose is to assemble my research and thoughts on the subject of Korean
War casualties in one place. I originally started out to write a small booklet, but it soon became apparent that
I eventually would finish between 200-250 pages.
As the work progressed, it occurred to me that others might find my study useful in understanding some of the
myths and mysteries surrounding the subject of Korean War casualties. So I have made it available to anyone who
wants a copy—although it is by far not the ultimate last word on the subject.
The information in this work is based on knowledge and data taken from a variety of sources; I have taken
deliberate care to provide accurate and authoritative data and sources in regard to the subject matter covered
to the best of my ability. The information presented is believed by me to be accurate, or it is believed to be
accurate as presented by the cited authors, one or the other is true. However, no warranty, expressed or
implied, is made by me as to accuracy, use or application of any of this information.
The presentation of this material is my sole responsibility and is provided so that you, the curious reader,
may make an informed decision. I claim no official government agency endorsements; nor are any of them in any
capacity associated with me. - Martin O’Brien, Augusta, Maine, January 1999
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Acknowledgments
The following people helped make this research possible; their assistance, knowledgeable advice, suggestions,
encouragement and data are very much appreciated!
- EVERTS, John C., Staten Island, NY; a KWVA member, a good friend, whose
initial success in securing a copy of the 1954 Department of the Army microfiche of Army Non-Battle casualties
under the Freedom of Information Act, as well as coordinating contacts and resources, guaranteed the
completion of Appendix II to this project. John now is in God’s hands.
- BADGER, Frederick C., Colonel, USA (Ret), Data Base Officer for the Korean
War Honor Roll Project, The American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington, D.C., for using my list of Army
Non-Battle casualties to update the Interactive Computer System at the Korean War Veterans Memorial,
Washington, D.C.
- BANKS, Arlene, Orono, ME, and her associates at the Fogler Library,
University of Maine at Orono for cheerfully wading in to do the long and tedious job of photographing and
compiling a hard copy printout of information contained in the Army microfiche set of Korean War casualties.
- CASEY, Charles E., Omaha, Nebraska, a KWVA member and author of "In
Memory-Lest We Forget", a monumental effort to match casualties with units of assignment, who unselfishly gave
of his time and his knowledge to answer a myriad of questions.
- CHILCOTT, Thomas, Brighton, MI, a KWVA member for forcing me to check,
double-check and dig deeper.
- COHEN, William S., former Maine senator (R-Maine), for his personal help and
the help of his staff; they greatly assisted me to gather a number of data from several government agencies
under the Freedom of Information Act and arrange for microfiche services at the Fogler Library, University of
Maine and the Maine State Library.
- COREA, Anthony N., Director, Operations and Finance, The American Battle
Monuments Commission, Washington, D.C., for sending me information and rosters pertaining to data included in
the Interactive Computer System located at the site of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
- COVINO, Lee, Office of the Borough President, Staten Island, NY, for his help
in coordinating materials and resources.
- HADDEN, Stan, Harpers Ferry, WV, a member and past president of KWVA, and
former editor of "The Graybeards," for his early and continual encouragement.
- HAGELIN, Burt Sr., Dover-Foxcroft, ME, a Korean War veteran, for his help and
materials, and for steering me to look in the right places.
- HENLEY, CHARLES W., director, External affairs (POW/MIA Office), Washington,
D.C. for information pertaining to Dr. Paul M. Cole’s work at the U.S. Army’s Central Identification
Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI).
- HOTHAN, William E., New Hyde Park, NY, a KWVA member, for insight, ideas and
support in "The Graybeards".
- JORSTAD, Roger D., Director, Manpower Management Information Division,
Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, Department of Defense, Arlington, VA for his patience in
answering my numerous inquiries.
- MANNING, John F., Assistant Chief, Mortuary Affairs and Casualty Support
Division, Department of the Army, Alexandria, VA, for information relating to returned remains.
- MOLINARI, Susan, former U.S. Representative, Staten Island, New York, for
making sure that The American Battle Monuments Commission included my list of army Non-Battle casualties in
their data base.
- NEWMAN, Kenneth R., Williamsburg, VA, an old Army buddy, for providing me
with a number of valuable, historical documents.
- NEWMAN, Murray, Documentary Reproduction Services, NYC, and a KWVA member,
for generously volunteering his time and expertise to produce a much more readable Appendix II than otherwise
would have been possible.
- PRATT, Sherman W., Arlington, VA, author, a member and past president of
KWVA, and former editor of "The Graybeards", for taking the time over a period of months to offer valuable
information and advice.
- RYAN, Colonel William E., Jr., former Director of Operations and Finance, The
American Battle Monuments Commission, Washington, D.C., for providing me with a complete roster of U.S. Korean
War dead whose remains are listed as MIA, lost or buried at sea or un-identifiable.
- SNOWE, Senator Olympia J., (R-Maine) and her staff for her help in obtaining
materials from several government agencies under the FOIA.
- STRYSICK, Michael, Sheboygan, WI, a KWVA member, for helping me understand
hemorrhagic fever issues.
- VANZANDT, Harry C., Clifton Park, NY, a KWVA member for sending me
information and materials, and helping me to get off to a good start.
- WASHCO, John R., Mentor, OH; a KWVA member, for his help and assistance in
helping the project along.
- WOLD, James W., Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (POW/MIA Affairs),
Washington, D.C. for information relating to the identification of remains.
- ZEHR, Norman R., Golden, CO, a KWVA member, for also forcing me to look twice
and dig deep when evaluating statistics.
In addition, much thanks to numerous other Korean War veterans and others from all over the country for their
kind words of encouragement, thoughtfulness, cogent insights and information. This is a work in progress, and
I’m sure in time there will be many more people to thank.
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Prologue
The Korean War, which followed five years of Cold War between Washington and Moscow, forced a test of will
for the United States and developed into the first major armed "conflict" between the Free World and the
Communist Bloc since World War II. It was a costly war for the United States. Officially, 54,268 men and women
died in the Korean War and other operations across the globe during the period June 25, 1950 to January 31,
1955. Of that number, officially, 36,913 Americans died in Korea during the Korean Operation as a result of
"Hostile" or "Non-Battle" causes, including over 8,100 KIA, MIA and POW whose exact fates remain un-revealed to
their loved ones even today.
Most, but not all, of the 36,913 Korean Theater "Hostile" and "Non-Battle" dead are listed in official files.
However, the names of some 17,366 others who died outside of the war zone in support of the Korean Operation
(Many who undoubtedly died in Korea itself) and other worldwide operations, for the most part, are not listed
anywhere.
The Department of Defense is on record as saying that it is not aware of any consolidated, detailed record
set or listing of total worldwide Service casualties during the Korean War era; nor is it involved in any effort
to validate out-of-theater Korean War era casualties—nor, do I believe, it wants to!
After the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, the shooting did not stop. Another 641 Americans (included
in the 36,913 figure) would die in Korea through January 31, 1955, mostly Air Force. The evidence shows that
there were others, though not recorded. And from February 1, 1955 through 1995, another 98 Americans (that we
know of) would die in Korea on or near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), in the air, and on the water from "Hostile"
and combat-related actions.
The primary goal of this study is to present the statistical story of the Korean War era as it appears to
exist. I have put down the facts as I have found them, and I have made a few analyses based on what I have
found. With respect to the history and politics of the Korean War, I have found that everyone has his or her own
interpretation. The statistical story, however, is a story that continues to be relatively unknown to the
general public, and generally unclear to the Korean War veteran community at large.
Most of the information in this study has been gleaned from official sources, some of it has been given to me
by Korean War veterans across the country who believe, as I do, that the story needs to be told; it is by no
means the bottom line. The MIA data is in a constant state of flux as new information is received, and we learn
of new revelations from our government. It is my intention, however, to keep on top of the project as best as I
can and make any necessary important changes as they are learned.
Your help is always appreciated and I would like to hear from you about any additions, corrections or
suggestions to make this study a better work (if you send information, please cite sources—better yet provide
copies). Feel free to contact me at CavKVet50@aol.com.
In this study, I also relate just how difficult a task it is to dig up diverse facts and statistics (as they
are officially presented) and consolidate them into one place. An exclusive feature of this work is Appendix I.
For the first time in one place anywhere, the names of 2,392 Army "Non-Battle" dead in Korea between 1950-1955
are listed in one roster. Also included is a list of names of probable war casualties that do not appear in the
official files given to me. In addition, the names of the 98 post-war casualties in Korea are listed in just one
roster.
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Final thoughts
The story that unfolds in the following pages is as I found it, and by no means should it be considered the
bottom line. There is a lot that we don’t know, and a lot that the government will not reveal to us.
One of the most troublesome areas for me personally is believing the Army’s accounting for all of its
casualties, despite everything that has been released to the public. The reports by Generals Mark W. Clark and
Matthew B. Ridgway after the war, that they believed that 8,000 Americans, mostly Army, [included in a total of
11,622 UN POWs] had been deliberately "murdered" by the Communists, tend to make me somewhat skeptical about the
official numbers.
Also disturbing is the claim by some that MIAs were reclassified to KIA-BNR ("Body-Not-Recovered"), not
because there was any information that they had died, but solely because it was cheaper to pay death benefits
than to continue them as MIAs. How many were so reclassified is not clear; but, my study shows that 535 POW/MIA
deaths were reclassified to KIA and another 34 were reclassified to Died of Wounds between 1954 and 1994.
As you read through this study and consider the official POW/MIA numbers, keep in mind that there is very
little information available as to HOW they died. Even in the "Non-Battle" area, the Army’s explanations fall
short. In 1954, the DA coded the almost 2,400 DNB ("Died Non-Battle") as MIA—why they did that is a mystery!
Today, we know with some certainty that they were indeed DNB. [See Appendix I for update.]
We don’t know the deep, dark secrets and that is a problem. But, we must know what happened—so we must keep
digging! Hopefully, this work will stimulate more thought and research—and ultimately, more truth.
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Notable Quotes
Q: "Mr. President, everybody is asking in this country are we or are we not at war?
A: "We are not at war. The members of the United Nations are going to the relief of the Korean Republic to
suppress a ‘bandit raid’ on the Republic of Korea."
Q: "Mr. President, would it be correct under your explanation to call this a ‘police action’ under the United
Nations?"
A: "Yes, that is exactly what it amounts to."
- President Harry S. Truman, June 28, 1950
"The origins of the Korean Conflict are more obscure than those of the Punic, Pyrrhic, or Peloponnesian
wars—more is known today of the maneuverings that led up to Alexander’s invasion of Persia more than two
millennia ago."
- Russell Spurr "Enter the Dragon"
"I speak of the atrocities committed by the communists in Korea. I speak of the 10,032 individuals whose
murdered bodies stand as mute witness to the savagery of communist aggression. We have evidence that not just
10,032 but 29,815 murders were actually committed by the communists, of which 11,622 were your soldiers." [Draft
of speech to the United Nations, 1953]
- General Mark W. Clark "From the Danube to the Yalu"
"If we were a people who remembered and we required such honesty from Government, we would not be simply a
nation indivisible. We would be a most formidable people; we would be indestructible."
- Richard Savero & Lewis Milford "The Wages of War"
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| Chapter 1 - The Korean Conflict: Conflicting Theories |
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