FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – Gov. Matt Bevin has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018, in honor of a Kentucky serviceman who was killed in action during the Korean War but whose remains were only recently identified.
Private First Class Joe Stanton Elmore, 20, died on December 2, 1950, in Changjim County, Hamgyeong Province, North Korea. A member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, PFC Elmore was one of approximately 2,500 U.S. and 700 Republic of Korea soldiers assigned to the 31st Regimental Combat Team, also known as Task Force MacLean and later as Task Force Faith. PFC Elmore was reported missing on December 2, 1950, following an engagement that occurred in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir.
The return home of PFC Elmore’s remains is the culmination of a 23-year-long effort to identify remains first repatriated by the People’s Republic of Korea in 1995. The identification of repatriated remains often requires years, if not decades, of detailed examination and meticulous forensic analysis.
Funeral services for PFC Elmore will be held at 1 p.m. CDT on Aug. 18 at Albany United Church of the Nazarene (590 Nazarene Road, Albany), with visitation from 3-5 p.m. CDT on Aug. 17.
Gov. Bevin encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies to join in this tribute by lowering the flag in honor of PFC Elmore.
A photo of PFC Elmore can be downloaded here.
