74: Father Herman Felhoelter

(Father Herman G. Felhoelter.)

74 years ago today (July 16, 1950) the North Korean Communists murdered 30 Unarmed and Wounded American Prisoners of War and 1 Roman Catholic Military Chaplain during the Korean War at Tuman (currently Duman-ri), Geumnam-myeon, Sejong City, South Korea

Father Herman G. Felhoelter, the Roman Catholic Military Chaplain could have evacuated with the Other American Soldiers, but he chose to stay with the Wounded Americans and they were captured by the North Koreans.

Felhoelter wore a large white Latin Cross Brassard, identifying him as a Military Chaplain in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps and was unarmed.

As he was praying over the Wounded Herman G. Felhoelter was shot dead by the North Korean Communists as he

The Massacre was witnessed from hills some distance away through binoculars by Members of the 19th Infantry.

Father Herman Gilbert Felhoelter was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1913.

 He joined the Franciscans and was ordained for the Friars Minor in 1939.

 He served as an Army Chaplain in World War II and received a Bronze Star for service under fire.

After that War, Felhoelter became an Assistant Pastor in Cincinnati, but was recommissioned in 1948 and appointed Chaplain to the US 19th Infantry and posted to Korea.

US Troops were able to recover the bodies of only three of the Victims of the Massacre, including Father Felhoelter, and were unable to capture any North Korean Troops who participated in the massacre.

For his actions in volunteering to stay behind with the wounded, Father Felhoelter was Posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Second Highest Decoration for Valor awarded by the US Military.

His remains were returned to the United States and are buried in St. Michael's Cemetery, Louisville.