Harold Axel Evans After almost 63 years, a long awaited homecoming is planned for Corporal Harold Axel Evans, United States Army, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team, on October 12th in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Harold was listed as missing in action while fighting the enemy in North Korea east of the Chosin Reservoir on Dec. 12, 1950. Corporal Evans was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Korean War Service Medal. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. Harold Axel Evans was born in the Township of Linsell near Grygla, Minnesota on May 16, 1928 to Axel and Charlotte Evans, the sixth of seven children. They resided on the family farm and even though times were tough and money often less than needed, the children were each other's best friends, companions and instigators of bets and dares as their parents worked hard to support their family. In 1945, with many children grown, the family moved to Shelton, Washington. It was there, in Mason County, that Harold made the decision to join the military and became a member of the United States Army. In 1950, the Korean War began and not soon after, Harold and his unit were sent to North Korea. Harold wrote a letter to his parents on November 23, 1950. It was Thanksgiving Day -- "I sure wish I was there with you but it won't be long. I'm getting kind of homesick now when I'm here fighting this war, but don't worry about me. I'll be all right." This is thought to be the last communication the family received from Harold prior to the battle that declared him "missing in action". In the years to follow, much correspondence took place, spear-headed by Harold's brothers and sisters to help determine what happened to him. Harold's brother, Glenn, received a letter dated October 27, 1952 written by Harold's commanding officer, 1st Lt. Infantry, Henry E. Trawick. In it, he re-counts, to the best of his ability, what happened in those final days. "Your brother drove jeep for me. Driving a jeep is not a very easy or pleasant job. It is a particularly unpleasant job in a country like Korea where a driver constantly fights the bad roads, mountains and weather elements in addition to fighting the enemy that is everywhere. On the 25th of November, 1950, we left the Fusan Reservoir and drove for three days and nights with our rifles in our laps. We rode over mountains and roads that were indescribable. We stopped only for short cat naps and to eat cold "c" rations. After the three days of hard driving we arrived on the Chosen Reservoir to relieve the Marines. We were worn out. We moved into the Marine area during the early part of the night and went to bed. I cannot recall seeing your brother Harold again after that day, 27 November 1950. The following morning at 0300 hours a division of Chinese hit our small Battalion. We were completely surrounded and cut off from the nearest friendly outfit, the Marines, who were 12 miles south of our positions. We remained in this area awaiting reinforcements for three days. When it was discovered they could not reach us we were ordered out. The area we left was littered with unburied dead, both Chinese and our own troops, for as far as the eye could see. We loaded the wounded personnel on all the trucks that would still move and started the 12 mile trip toward the Marine area. We fought for 9 miles. Every hill top and every valley of those 9 miles was littered with dead or wounded. Three miles from the Marines the trucks were stopped cold. We were out of ammunition and only a handful of troops able to fight were left. The Chinese had a strong road block we could not penetrate. That is as far as the trucks loaded with wounded ever got. I am sorry I cannot help you further. I only wish I could remember everyone I saw and what happened to each person but I was very busy at the time and pretty badly wounded so things are a little hazy." In the years to follow, parents Axel and Lottie, siblings Harry (Vi), Myrtle, Glenn, Margaret (Clifford), Helen (Frankie), and Kenneth along with Margaret's son Gary were re-united with Harold upon their own passing. Harold is survived by numerous nephews and nieces along with their families as well as a brother-in-law Conward Southard (Myrtle) and sisters-in-law AnnaRose (Glenn) and Jean (Kenneth) many of which will be making the trip to Thief River Falls, Minnesota to attend Harold's funeral with full military honours. The family of Harold Axel Evans is deeply grateful and honored to be able to put their dear family member to rest in such a respectful manner. We do this on behalf of his parents and siblings who until their last breaths, missed and so desperately wanted their loved one found. The identification and return of Harold's remains helps to bring closure to a long period of sadness and uncertainty. Harold, you will never be forgotten, and always loved and celebrated as one who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Rest in Peace!