Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Since publishing a story on the men included on that list Memorial Day weekend, I’ve since heard from two family members who have identified two additional county men who were killed in Korea – Ralph Sullivan and Herbert Rugar.

Sullivan was born on Dec. 16, 1927 in Russell County, Kentucky

“Private Sullivan was a member of the 64th Medium Tank Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division,” according to the American Battle Monuments Commission. “He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on June 15, 1953.”

He was presented with the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The grave of Ralph Sullivan, one of several men from Warren County killed during the Korean conflict. He’s buried at the Youngsville Cemetery.

He was killed at the age of 25 and is buried at the Youngsville Cemetery.

The body of Pvt. Ralph Frank Sullivan, Jr., Youngsville, RD 1, soldier killed in action in Korea on June 15, 1953, arrived from New York City this morning for removal to the Young Funeral Home in Youngsville,” the Warren Times Mirror reported in September.

“Relatives and friends may pay their respects at the funeral home at the regular calling hours and memorial services will be held there at 2:00 pm Friday. Rev. Harold Lindquist, pastor of Youngsville Evangelical United Brethren Church, will officiate for the rites and military honors will be accorded by the Halgren-Wilcox Post, American Legion, of Youngsville.”

The son of Mrs. Ralph Sullivan, Youngsville, RD 1, the young soldier first entered the armed services on February 26, 1946, and had served several reenlistments. He served three and one-half years in Germany before returning to this country and was assigned to Fort Knox, Ky., as a troop trainer prior to his return overseas.

Besides his mother, he leaves his wife, Elsie Joyce Sullivan; one daughter, Carol; four brothers and six sisters, Willis, Maynard and Gerald Sullivan; Mrs. Myrtle Darling, Mrs. Edna Caldwell and Mrs. Viola Walter, Youngsville; Clarence of Irvine; Mrs. Marietta Doty, Russell; Phyllis and Hazel at home; also several nieces and nephews.

According to koreanwar.org, Pfc. Herbert Ellwin Rugar was a member of the U.S. Army’s 27th Infantry Regiment, E Co., 2nd Battalion.

He was born in 1909 and enlisted out of Spartansburg, though it appears the family lived near East Branch or Trimms Corners, the intersection of Sundback Rd. and Spring Creek Rd. in Eldred Twp.

“He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea on July 25, 1950,” that site explains. “He served in Africa during (World War II).

“Born on a farm, son of Frank Rugar, he died only a few days after entering Korea. He had attended school at Twin Corners.”

His military recognitions include the Silver Star.

The Warren Times-Mirror reported the death on Aug. 28, 1950 with the headline “Resident of County Near Spartanburg Casualty in Korea.”

“Pfc. Herbert E. Rugar, Route 3, Spartansburg, was killed in action in Korea July 25, his parents were notified by telegram over the weekend,” the report stated.

He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rugar. They live on the Warren road out of Spartanburg east of Red Oak on the edge of Warren county.

Details were not given in the telegram.

A World War II veteran, Pfc. Rugar sailed for Japan the first or second week in July and was evidently sent directly to the front. He was with the 27th Infantry Regiment, and could not have been in Korea long before he was killed.

He served more than two years in Africa and Europe during his first enlistment before he was discharged in October, 1945.

He entered the Army in 1942 and was one of those who toured the United States with the Army War Show in that year. In 1943 he was sent overseas with a Coast Artillery searchlight battalion. He went to North Africa first, then to Corsica, the continent of Europe and into Germany.

The report of his death makes Pfc. Rugar, the first man from this area killed in the Korean fighting.

It would be nearly two years before Rugar’s remains would be returned to Warren County for burial at the East Branch Cemetery.

The Titusville Herald reported on March 15, 1952 that “the body of the first Warren County and Titusville area soldier killed in Korea will arrive in San Francisco this morning aboard the Winthrop Victory, the Department of Defense announced yesterday.

“The soldier, Pfc. Herbert Rugar, who was killed in action on July 25, 1950, less than a month after the Korean crisis was precipitated.”