04 December 2008

POW To Receive Medal 57 Years Later

WTAP-TV - Parkersburg, WV, USA

POW To Receive Medal 57 Years Later

WTAP News
Posted: 7:04 PM Dec 4, 2008
Last Updated: 9:31 PM Dec 4, 2008
Reporter: Leslie Cebula
Email Address: leslie.cebula@wtap.com

A New Matamoras family is finally getting the closure they've waited 57 years for.

This family will be receiving the Purple Heart on behalf of a loved one who died as a prisoner of war in North Korea in 1951.

Corporal William Dean Smith's family knew he died 57 years ago of pneumonia at Camp 5 and that the 18-year-old's remains were never recovered.

Still some held on to the idea he was still alive.

It wasn't until his niece by marriage-Fancie Smith-and her brother-Louis Filipow-who was stationed in Korea worked to find Corporal Smith's records and medals a few years ago.

Even though family members said Corporal Smith was supposed to get the Purple Heart, he never received it.

Corporal Smith enrolled in the military in the fall of 1949 and served in the Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Engineer Combat Battalion 24th Infantry Division.

"We had found out that unfortunately William you know they did say he died of pneumonia but he was tortured. He had a broken right leg and a fractured left jaw. He was marched six miles on a broken leg in sub degree temperatures," said Fancie Smith, William's niece by marriage.

Fancie Smith also found out Corporal Smith drove staff sergeants during the war.

She found out he was captured because he wouldn't give up information to the Chinese of where his unit was headed.

Family members didn't receive the Purple Heart when they received his other medals.

Just this year the criteria changed allowing prisoners of war who died from a medical condition like he did to receive the Purple Heart.

Now next Friday Smith's living brother and sisters will accept the award in a formal ceremony on his behalf in New Matamoras. Fancie Smith said he is the first POW in Ohio to receive this award under the new criteria. This information could not be confirmed with Sen. Sherrod Brown's office. The Department of Veterans Affairs in Marietta said he is the first POW in Washington County to receive the award under the new criteria.

William Dean Smith's remains still have not been identified. Fancie Smith said he is buried at the foot of a mountain along the Yalu River. His brother and sister donated DNA in order to help identify his remains if they are found.

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