Lieutenant Cordus H. Thornton, L Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, United States Army, was the first soldier to be murdered by the "Tiger." On November 1, 1950, near Manpo-jin North Korea, he died like a man. He died like a soldier. He did not beg. He died bravely. Lieutenant Thornton was and still is an inspiration to all of us. His blood was not shed in vain.

The roster is also dedicated to every brave man and woman who died while a prisoner of war or civilian internee in South and North Korea, and to those who have departed this earth since being released in 1953 and 1954.