PFC. DONALD FINGERS

Fingers was listed as "Missing in Action" on July 25, 1950. That was just 20 days after the first battle with U.S. troops was fought in what was to become a four year struggle.

Fingers, the son of George and Eastell Fingers of Elvins, had joined the Army at age 15 in 1948. He took his basic training at Ft. Knox, Ky. as part of the 32nd Tank Battalion of the 3rd Armored Division.

After basic he was shipped to Japan on Sept. 11, 1948, as part of the 5th Regiment of the 1st Cavalry. He was part of the occupation force then in Japan.

When fighting broke out in Korea, Gen. Douglas was ordered by then-President Harry Truman to move available units in to Korea. One of those units was the 1st Cavarly.

The unit arrived in Korea on July 18 at P'ohang-dong. Around the time Fingers was killed the 1st Cavalry fighting in the area of fallen Taejon.

It was at this point Donald Fingers was reported missing in action. Not until April 13, 1951, when Chaplain Aloysius M. Knier wrote a letter to the family telling them did the family know their son had been killed near Yong Dong.

This date would make Fingers the first St. Francois County man killed in Korea. There is very little known about how he died. His brothers would like to find a person who might have served with him so they might learn more about the loss of Donald.

Finger's grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. James Clark of Bismarck and Mr. and Mrs. James Fingers of Elvins. He attended Elvins High School. He has two brothers Robert Fingers of Bonne Terre and Max Fingers of Elvins , who survived him and a brother Ronald who died as a baby.

Published by THE DAILY JOURNAL, Park Hills, St. Francois Co. MO, Nov. 13, 2000.