Richard Sharrow : “Lives Lost in Korea: Memorial Day Reflections”

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Photo from the Warren Times-Mirror
The remains of Pfc. Marshall G. Fellows returning to Warren. Fellows was killed in Korea.

One name that has been etched in the memory of Warren County residents is that of Richard Sharrow, a native of Marienville, PA, who served in both the Army and the Navy. Sharrow was declared missing in action on July 25, 1959, and it wasn’t until September 23, 2023, that his remains were finally brought home.

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The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) confirmed the identification of Sharrow’s remains on January 24, 2023, more than 70 years after he went missing during the Korean War. The DPAA revealed that Sharrow’s remains were originally designated as Unknown X-1023 and were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

In an effort to bring closure to families of missing soldiers, the DPAA proposed the disinterment of 652 Korean War Unknowns from the Punchbowl memorial in 2018. Sharrow’s remains were among those disinterred on October 21, 2019, and sent for analysis.

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Photo from the Warren Times-Mirror
This article announced the first county death in the Korean Conflict.

Through advanced scientific techniques such as dental and anthropological analysis, as well as mitochondrial DNA testing, the DPAA was able to positively identify Sharrow’s remains. The agency’s thorough investigation established a clear connection between the unknown remains and Sergeant Sharrow.

Sergeant Sharrow’s story dates back to the Korean War, where he served in F Company of the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He went missing during a fierce battle in Yongdong on July 25, 1950, while attempting to rescue stranded units. The intense firefight led to heavy casualties, and Sharrow was lost in the chaos, never to be found.

Times Observer file photo
Sgt. Richard Sharrow’s remains were identified decades after he went missing in Korea and returned to Marienville last fall.

Following the battle, Sharrow’s remains remained unrecoverable, and the Army eventually declared him presumptively dead on December 31, 1953. His family and community mourned his loss, but his memory lived on through the years.

An obituary published in the Times Observer last autumn announced Sharrow’s return to Marienville, bringing closure to a chapter that had remained open for over seven decades. His family, including his sister Rose and great niece Skye, provided DNA samples to aid in the identification process, hoping for the day when Sharrow would be brought home.

Sharrow’s casketed remains were accompanied by his great niece, TSGT Holly Phillips, a current member of the Illinois Air National Guard, as they made their way back to his hometown. He was laid to rest at the St. Ann Cemetery in Jenks Township, finally receiving the honour and recognition he deserved.

According to the DPAA, a rosette will be placed next to Sharrow’s name on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl in honour of his accounting.

Remembering Warren County’s Fallen Heroes

Aside from Sharrow, five other men from Warren County made the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean Conflict. Their names are etched in history as brave soldiers who gave their lives for their country.

Army Private Ray W. Etter went missing on February 13, 1951, and was later presumed dead on January 22, 1954. His name is memorialised on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial, a lasting tribute to his service and sacrifice.

Army Private First Class Marshall G. Fellows was killed in action on August 27, 1951, and now rests in peace at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Russell. His family’s heartfelt appreciation for the support they received in the wake of his death serves as a reminder of the community’s unity during times of grief.

Army Private Walter Menard, aged 19 or 20, was killed on July 16, 1950, and is interred at the Oakland Cemetery. His family’s journey of uncertainty and hope mirrored that of many families during the Korean Conflict, waiting for news of their loved ones serving overseas.

Army Private First Class William J. Scott was the first confirmed death from Warren County in the Korean campaign, falling in action on March 15. Buried at the Youngsville Cemetery, Scott’s bravery and sacrifice were honoured in local and national publications, highlighting his dedication to duty and his unwavering spirit.

Corporal James W. Wright, a member of the 21st Infantry Regiment, met his end on January 29, 1951, and now rests in Washington County. His memory lives on through the stories and tributes that recount his service and sacrifice during a tumultuous period in history.

As we remember these fallen heroes, let us honour their legacy and sacrifice, never forgetting the price they paid for our freedom.