News-Info-Alerts

Re: Continuing the Search for MIA Brother

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: August 14, 2003

"McMahon continues search for brother considered MIA in Korean conflict
By NORMA MARTINEZ, Managing Editor

He was 13 years old when she was born, working after school to provide her with a layette. At 16, he joined the service, ending up in Korea, a country from which he has never returned.

More than five decades later Orville Kenneth Spicer is still considered missing in action (MIA) since there's never been any proof of his death. Although the remains of many soldiers who fought in Korea have been returned to the United States and identified, Spicer is not one of them.
Orville K. Spicer
 

Although year after year passes with no news, his younger sister, Kay McMahon of Rockport, does not give up hope.

She recently returned from Washington, D.C. where a national salute to Korean conflict veterans was held. In addition, she goes to Washington each year for the annual government POW/MIA updates.

McMahon's brother was born Aug. 5, 1932 in Hobbs, N.M. They also had an older brother, Charles Spicer. Their father was killed in a car crash in 1939 and their mother, Lena Ince, later remarried and Kay was born to that union.

At first Orville and Charles weren't pleased about their mother having another baby, but they soon warmed to the idea and Orville, who worked every day after school, helped purchase what would be Kay's layette.

Three years later Orville joined the service at age 16. She said her brother, who is half Indian, wanted to get away because others kept teasing him and telling him he looked Japanese. Classmates also made fun of the boots he wore, but he had them on every day because he went straight to work from school, she said.

Orville "signed on in July of 1948." Kay and her mother and stepfather later moved to Rockport.

He joined in New Mexico, but would be returning to his family in Texas, Kay said.

Two years later he was stationed in Hawaii and was preparing to board a battleship for Korea on Aug. 3, 1950. He landed in that country Aug. 5 of that year.

Orville was wounded Sept. 5, 1950 and reports indicate it was a serious wound. Set to go home, the young man opted to stay and return to the battlefield, stating his troops needed him. He was last seen Nov. 25, 1950.

There has been no evidence from either members of his regiment nor military officials of Orville's death. His body has never been recovered, nor have any remains been identified as his, but Kay remains hopeful that day will come.

Korean conflict

For years, the Korean conflict was known as the "Forgotten War," fought at a time of mistrust among nations.

One-time allies, the democratic United States and communist Soviet Union were at odds with one another following World War II. Their differences resulted in the "Cold War," a time of political tension and military rivalry. Although they were technically at peace, both countries built up their military forces in anticipation of an armed conflict.

After WWII, Korea was divided into two regions. The north was occupied by Soviet troops while U.S. military personnel and advisors were located in the south.

The Soviet Union knew Korea well since they share a short border. They encouraged and trained Korean resistance fighters during the Japanese occupation of Korea which began in 1910. By helping Korea, the USSR hoped to gain access to its warm water seaports, rich mineral deposits and highly developed industrial base.

After WWII, the U.S. proposed a four-nation trusteeship to govern Korea temporarily, The Soviets, as well as many Koreans, opposed it.

In September 1947, the U.S. asked the newly-formed United Nations to settle the issue. The U.N. said Koreans should govern themselves and form a provisional government. Once the government was established, all foreign troops should be withdrawn.

A commission was formed to observe and supervise elections. Korean officials installed by the Soviets refused to allow the election. On May 10, 1948, South Koreans elected 200 representatives to the national assembly of the Republic of Korea. Seats were left open for the north to fill.

Syngman Rhee was chosen president of South Korea. Meanwhile, a Soviet-sponsored government was set up in the north. The Soviet Union began withdrawing troops by late 1948. The U.S. began pulling out as well, and, by early 1950, only had 500 military personnel in South Korea.

On June 25, 1950 at 4 a.m. North Korean combat troops poured across the 38th Parallel, the dividing line between the two. Interpreting the actions as "war against the United Nations" the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting and unanimously agreed on a resolution to stop the North Koreans.

By June 28, North Korean troops were poised to capture the South Korean Capital of Seoul. When it became obvious the South Korean army desperately needed help, U.S. President Harry S. Truman ordered combat troops into Korea. On July 1, about 400 soldiers arrived in Pusan, a seaport on the southeast coast of Korea.

Then-President Truman, however, authorized sending the troops, but never asked Congress for a declaration of war. Instead of referring to U.S. involvement as war, it was called a "police action."

The "war" dragged on throughout the winter and into the spring. On July 10, 1951, peace talks began in Kaesong, North Korea, but for the next two years, fighting continued along the 38th parallel.

In late spring 1953, peace negotiators finally agreed on all major points. On July 27, artillery fire along the front slowed and then ceased. The Korean Conflict was over, but then came the battles over accountability prisoners of war and repatriation (the return of prisoners of war to his or her country of citizenship).

Although the Communists listed more than 10,000 South Korean and U.N. prisoners, that was thousands fewer than they had previously announced capturing. The Communists never fully explained the discrepancy, noting most likely the "missing" prisoners had died.

On the other hand, the U.N. held tens of thousands of North Korean and Chinese prisoners. Many did not want to return to their communist homelands, thus the debate over "no forced repatriation" continued for 14 months.

Operation Little Switch, led by Red Cross appeals, began in April 1953. The Communists delivered fewer than 1,000 sick or wounded prisoners to U.N. forces. The U.N. however, returned more than 6,000 ill or injured communist troops. Ultimately, about 22,500 prisoners in U.N. custody refused to return to China and North Korea.

On July 27, 1953, Lt. Gen. William Harrison and Korean General Nam signed an armistice which was later signed by Gen. Mark Clark, commander of the UN forces. Since Korea remained divided, South Korea refused to sign the document. The war which was never officially declared, also never officially ended with a peace treaty.

Korea today remains divided by a heavily guarded demilitarized zone.

Following that armistice, the North Korean government returned remains believed to be those of U.S. servicemen, but an astounding 8,100 American servicemen are still missing in action from that Korean War, among them is Orville Kenneth Spicer.

Next edition: The United States continues efforts to locate and identify those still missing from the Korean War. "