Army Cpl. Jerry M. Garrison repatriation from Korean War, Oct 19, Remains arrive at 10 a.m., Oct. 19, Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport, Little Rock

PA-001-20 | Oct. 17, 2019

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MEDIA ALERT

Oct. 17, 2019

Contact: Lt. Col. Brian L. Mason
State Public Affairs Officer
Arkansas National Guard
501-212-5020 / 501-590-0318
ng.ar.ararng.mbx.daily-guard@mail.mil

Army Cpl. Jerry M. Garrison repatriation from Korean War, Oct 1
~ Remains arrive at 10 a.m., Oct. 19, Bill & Hillary Clinton National Airport, Little Rock

WHO:
  An Arkansas National Guard Honor Guard team
WHAT:  will transfer Lamar, Ark. native Cpl. Jerry M. Garrison’s remains to an awaiting hearse for transport to Russellville.
WHEN:  10 a.m., Oct. 19. Media wishing to document the remains transfer must notify Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs of their intent to attend by Noon, Oct. 18 by providing the names of their reporters/photographers. E-mail or phone call at the above e-mail address/phone number is acceptable. Media must show at the Customer Care Desk on the second floor of the terminal, near the TSA Checkpoint. Media must have their credentials and a driver’s license on them for ramp access. Any media who are not in place by 10 a.m. will not be able to cover the event from the ramp.
WHERE:
1 Airport Rd., Little Rock                  
WHY:        Army Cpl. Jerry M. Garrison was killed during the Korean War. In November 1950, Cpl. Jerry M. Garrison reached the Chosin Reservoir as part of Headquarters-1st Regiment, 32nd Infantry Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team. East of the reservoir, the 31st RCT endured repeated attacks from the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces before abandoning its positions on 1 December. The Chinese forces decimated the withdrawing American convoy, dubbed Task Force Faith, as it moved south toward Hagaru-ri on Dec. 1-2. Those remaining from Task Force Faith participated in the defense of Hagaru-ri against further attacks from Dec. 3-6 and then as part of the 1st Marine Division’s fighting withdrawal from Hagaru-ri to Hungnam. Following the reconsolidation of American forces at Hungnam, Cpl. Garrison could not be located, and his unit designated him Missing In Action on Dec. 2, 1950. The U.S. Army subsequently issued a presumptive finding of death for Cpl Garrison on Dec. 31, 1953, and declared his remains “nonrecoverable” in 1956.

In July 2018, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (commonly referred to as North Korea) turned over 55 boxes containing the remains of American servicemen to U.S. authorities in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). The remains, called the “K-55,” were then sent to the Defense Department’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Laboratory in Hawaii to undergo forensic analysis. Box 23 (accessioned as CIL 2018-270) contained skeletal remains reportedly recovered by the Korean People’s Army in Sinhung-ri, Jangjin, South Hamgyong Province, D.P.R.K.

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  • Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office
  • PO BOX 30, Camp Robinson, North Little Rock, AR 72199
  • Phone:501-212-5098
  • Fax: 501-212-5019
  • ng.ar.ararng.mbx.daily-guard@mail.mil