OUR KOREAN WAR STORY: MIA family gets closure 70 years later

Peter Duston, adjutant of Narraguagus American Legion Post 8 in Cherryfield, Maine, recently submitted to Legiontown the story of how his post helped honor a Korean War soldier missing for 70 years:

“Our post organized a memorial service (on Sept. 5, 2020) that was a yearlong effort to bring some closure to Oscar Sprague’s family, who have waited 70 years to have a place – a stone, a flag and a proper memorial program – to remember their brother and uncle. Oscar’s photo sits on the POW/MIA remembrance table in our Legion Hall where we have acknowledged him, spoken his name and remembered him. It is finally fitting that we say his name and remember his sacrifice in this place where his parents are buried, the parents who waited their entire lives after that fateful day in 1950 for their son to come home. As taps sounded and the honor guard NCOIC held his salute after presenting the flag on behalf of a grateful nation, the folded flag was passed slowly from the youngest to oldest of Oscar Sprague’s five surviving sisters. There was hardly a dry eye in the assembled attendees. The youngest sister, with tears in her eyes, said: ‘We have waited 70 years for this closure.’

Below are portions of Sprague’s story, gathered by Duston for Legiontown:

“Cpl. Oscar L. Sprague, a resident of Milbridge, born Oct 5, 1927, was a regular Army soldier assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was reported as an MIA on Sept 3, 1950, and later as a KIA, remains not recovered.

“A 16-day battle began on the night of Aug. 31, 1950, that required the Warrior Division's clerks, band and logistics personnel to join in the fight to hold the "Pusan Perimeter." The Perimeter was the United Nations' effort to form a main battle line to finally stop the advancing North Koreans. They, expecting light resistance from what they thought were exhausted troops, did not expect the fresh troops of the 2nd Division and began piecemeal incursions in the area of Agok along the Naktong River. U.S. patrols reported North Korean activity on the other side of the river and sent a company-size combat patrol across to capture prisoners for intelligence purposes. A section of light machine gunners from PFC Sprague’s Company H accompanied the patrol, dubbed “Operation Manchu.” We don’t think PFC Sprague was on the patrol …. The North Koreans crossed the river at night and caught the mortars unprepared and mounted a fierce attack against Company D and H, PFC Sprague’s company. Many of the Americans were either killed or captured. PFC Sprague, apparently, survived this attack and was likely with the remnants of D and H companies and the heavy mortar-carrying team that had made it to the top of Hill 209 …. The morning of the 3rd, the situation worsened with hot weather and shortage of supplies. There were multiple infantry attacks and constant fire from the enemy machine guns and mortars on the adjacent hill. Dead and dying U.S. troops were in every foxhole. The radio was destroyed leaving the defenders without air or artillery support. Enemy soldiers worked close enough to the perimeter to throw many grenades. PFC Sprague was reportedly killed during this action …. Although the American losses were great, the 2nd Division and the adjacent Marine unit held the Pusan Perimeter and by the end of the battle had decimated two North Korean divisions.

“(Sprague) was posthumously promoted to corporal while an MIA. His remains have never been recovered, but there are ongoing recovery efforts by Army forensic teams searching former battle sites. Perhaps, just perhaps as there has been with others, there will be a recovery and burial back home with military honors. His awards would include: Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Korean War Medal, POW/MIA Medal, National Defense medal, Korean Service Medal, ROK Presidential Unit Citation, UN Service Medal and ROK War Service Medal. RIP Cpl. Oscar L. Sprague in the highest traditions as a ‘Manchu’ warrior!

“Footnote: Oscar Sprague lied about his age and served three months in World War II as a 15-year-old before being sent home with an honorable discharge. He re-enlisted in the Regular Army before the Korean War. He is therefore credited with both wars.”