DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – This Thursday marks the 75th year since the capture of a local man during the Korean War.
According to the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Harley Coon, was captured by Chinese Communist Forces at Ipsop, Korea, on Nov. 27, 1950. Coon was from Beavercreak and was 19 years old at the time.
He was a prisoner of war for 1,008 days, nearly 3 years (33 months and 4 days), durning the infamous “Bean Death Valley”. Coon was after the armistice on Aug. 31, 1953.
Remains of senior airman escorted into Ohio, taken to location near Dayton
Coon earned the following:
- Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with 10 Battle Stars
- U.N. Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Medal
- Prisoner of War Medal
He joined the army in 1948 and was an SFC in B Company, 35th RCT, 25th Infantry Division, per his American Ex-Prisoners of War biography…