PFC Willie Earl Blue

Comments: Private First Class Blue was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was listed as Missing in Action on September 1, 1950 while fighting the enemy in Korea and was presumed dead on March 3, 1954. Reported DOD last known home of record - New Orleans, Louisiana.

On August 31, 1950, the 3rd Battalion of the 9th Infantry had been deployed in the area of the Pohang Airfield on the eastern edge of the Pusan Perimeter. Other key elements of the 2nd Infantry Division were deployed along the Naktong River in the area known as the Naktong Bulge, approximately 70 miles away. From additional examination of records and the circumstances, it appears PFC Blue may have been assigned on detached duty to E Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry, during a ferocious attack by North Korean forces in the vicinity of Cloverleaf Hill on the evening of August 31, 1950, and the morning of September 1, 1950.

Note: New research found that Company K, 9th Infantry, was on an operation near the airfield at Pohang when it was attacked and suffered heavy casualties. As a result, Company K was disbanded and survivors were sent to other units. Apparently PFC Blue was attached to Company F, 9th Infantry, and was lost during an attack by North Korean troops west of Yongsan at the Naktong Bulge. His remains were recovered where Company F made its' stand.

Uncle of Donelle Humphrey. Son of Mildred Smith of New Orleans, Louisiana.