24th Recon Company Lost Patrol, July 19, 1950
by Thomas F. Kilfoyle
In going through the list of 24th Division's MIA/POW, and noticed that some members of the 24th Recons are not listed.
I was a member of the Recon. Co. from May 1948 until June 1951 and am providing the full list of MIA/POW from the lost patrol of the 24th Recon, which I have constructed from Company and other Recon MIAs.
On the evening July 19, 1950, a patrol from the 2nd platoon was sent out from Taejon. I was a member of this platoon, but by the grace of God and the kindness of Lt. Kristanoff, was not picked to go on this ill-fated patrol. The patrol was ambushed, and the members were either killed or captured.
This patrol was made up of the following members and their fates, unless otherwise noted. I have listed them alphabetically.
| PFC Robert C. Agard, Jr. | MIA, Declared Dead (Listed) |
| PFC Albert Bellucci | MIA, (Not Listed) MIA Same Day as PFC Lesley |
| PFC Robert R. Blair | MIA, (Not Listed) |
| PFC William T. Boyd | MIA, (Not Listed) |
| SGT Norman R. Fontaine | MIA, (Not Listed) |
| 1st LT George Kristanoff | Captured/Died in Chinese Prison (Patrol Leader, Listed) |
| PV2 Robert C. Lacy | MIA, Declared Dead Nov.1, 1950 (not with patrol, Listed) |
| PFC James R. Lesley | MIA Aug, 11, 1950 (not with Patrol, Not Listed) |
| SGT Robert L. Martin | MIA, (Not Listed) |
| PVT David P. Mompher | Captured/Died in Chinese Prison (Listed) |
| CPL Hershell E. Newell | MIA/KIA body recovered returned to the US. (Not Listed) |
| PV2 Frank L. Penwell | MIA 09/23/1950 (not Listed, Not with the Patrol) |
| PFC Clyde D. Steele | Captured/Died in Chinese Prison. (Listed) |
| SGT Hugh A. Townsley | MIA, (Not Listed) |
All of the above were with Lt. Kristanoff’s Patrol on July 19, 1950 unless otherwise noted.
Thomas F. Kilfoyle, Life # 369
4391 West Golden Lane
Glendale, Arizona 85302-5329
Tel. 623 934 4080
E-mail: ma.pa.k@cox.net