The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SGT Joe Angelo Huffstutler, RA16308431, who died in the service of his country on November 26th, 1950 in North Korea. The cause of death was listed as MIA to Declared Dead. At the time of his death Joe was 19 years of age. He was from Herrin, Illinois. Joe's Military Occupation Specialty was 1745-Light Weapons Infantry Leader.
The decorations earned by SGT Joe Angelo Huffstutler include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Korea Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Sergeant First Class Huffstutler was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was listed as Missing in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on November 26, 1950. He was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. Sergeant First Class Huffstutler was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantrymans Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
The first Chinese action against the 35th Infantry occurred at 3:45 a.m. 26 November when a Chinese patrol of about 15 soldiers crept upon a mortar outpost of Love Company, surprised it and took four prisoners. They also killed one American and wounded two others. Apparently this patrol had the specific mission of capturing prisoners for intelligence purposes. There was no enemy attack, however, following this enemy patrol action.
(Appleman, "Disaster In Korea", pp 132)
In Memoriam: Memorial Service held January 1954 at the First Baptist Church of Herrin for Sgt. First Class Joe A. Huffstutler:
Sgt. First Class Joe A. Huffstutler, born October 5, 1931, son of Ray and Lena Huffstutler, 925 14th Street, Herrin, was reported missing in action in Korea November 26, 1950 and was listed officially dead December 31, 1953 by a registered letter received by his parents from the United States War Department. He was awarded the Purple Heart by the President. Before entering Service January 1, 1949, at the age of 17, Joe Huffstutler attended the Herrin Schools as was employed as a bridge builder by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. He received training at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky, and Ft. Lewis, Washington before being sent to Korea in June of 1950. Joe leaves his parents, five brothers, Charles Ray of the U.S. Navy, William of Royalton and Clyde, Fred and Jerry at home; three sisters, Mrs. Clara Sandy of Houston, Texas, Mrs. Geneva Crowell and Mrs. Gloria Finney of Herrin.
Date: July 2007: Family Members: Charles Huffstutler, Corpus Christi, TX; William Huffstutler, Herrin, IL; Clyde Huffstutler, Alexandria, VA; Fred Huffstutler, Chatham, IL; Jerry Huffstutler, Carterville, IL; Clara Sandy, Herrin, IL; Geneva Crowell, deceased; Gloria Finney, deceased.
(Clyde Huffstutler)
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