William Baumgardner

The grave of William Baumgardner

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

First Adams County Pennsylvania native to die in Korea, and the first Korean War casualty to be buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery

Place of Birth:

Fairfield, Adams County, Pennsylvania

Date of Birth:

September 19, 1905

Place of Death:

South Korea

Date of Death:

July 12, 1950

Place of Burial:

Gettysburg, PA

Cemetery Name:

Gettysburg National Cemetery

Section 3, Row 12, Grave 24

William was born on a small farm where his mother still lived at the time of his death. He was the son of Elmer Johnston and Sarah Elizabeth (Barnhart) Baumgardner. He went to school for a brief time before working as a painter and carpenter in Fairfield, Gettysburg, and throughout Adams County Pennsylvania. His father, Elmer, died in 1933.

William served in the army prior to World War II, and re-enlisted when the war began. He was deployed to Japan for occupation duty on July 4, 1949.

Ultimately, William served in the U.S. Army for nearly 20 years before he was killed in action in Korea on July 12, 1950.

In Korea, William served in Company C, 21st US Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. In the summer of 1950, the 24th Infantry Division was the first U.S. Army unit sent into Korea to confront the initial North Korean advances and disrupt the more numerous North Korean army units. The 24th Infantry Division's three infantry regiments, which had a wartime strength of 3,000 each, were already below strength on their deployment, and heavy losses in the preceding two weeks had reduced their numbers further. The 21st Infantry had 1,100 men left, having suffered 1,433 casualties.

The 21st Infantry Regiment was assigned to delay two advancing North Korean People's Army divisions following communist victories at Osan, Pyongtaek, and Chonan earlier in the month. The regiment deployed along roads and railroads between the two villages, attempting to slow the advance as much as possible.

The 24th Division effectively delayed a North Korean advance to allow the 7th Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, and other Eighth Army supporting units to establish a defensive line around Pusan. Aided by air strikes, U.S. Army units were able to inflict substantial damage on the North Korean armor and other vehicles but were overwhelmed by North Korean infantry. The two understrength U.S. battalions fought in several engagements over the three days and suffered massive losses in personnel and equipment but were able to delay the North Korean forces for several days, allowing the remainder of the 24th Infantry Division to set up blocking positions along the Kum River near the city of Dajeon.

By July 12^th, in just a few weeks of fighting, the 21st Infantry Regiment was very battered. As the entire 24th Division was making a stand around the city, William was killed in action near Chochiwon, South Korea on July 12, 1950.

When Sarah, his 80-year-old widowed mother, received the telegram on July 27, stating that her son was missing in action, she expressed the hope that her son would return. "He always knew how to take care of himself," she said. At the same time, she seemed reconciled to the loss, telling a reporter, “That’s what you've got to expect when they're in the Army."

The news of his death came at a time when William's seven children were scheduled to be home for the Thanksgiving holiday. The three -- Paul, a student at Penn State, Barbara, a student at Western Maryland College, Westminster, and Robert, Harrisburg, were scheduled to arrive to visit with their grandmother and with their uncles and aunts, Mrs. and Mrs. Charles Lauver, Hanover Street, and Mr. and Mrs. Preston Baumgardner.

William was buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery on April 28, 1951. The Albert J. Lentz Post No. 202, American Legion, oversaw the graveside services, following services held at 2 o'clock at the Bender Funeral Home led by Rev. O.D. Coble, a former Army chaplain.