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Taps
SFC Reginal "Reg" Richard Lawrence
SFC Reginal "Reg" Richard Lawrence was assigned to 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 4/31 INF from 2001 - 2005,
SFC Lawrence (Specialist Lawrence at the time) was deployed to Iraq in 2003 while assigned to B-Co 4/31 INF.
The following link was the obituary that was provided by the funeral home.
Iraq 2003
Elwin Elliston
Elwin M. “Abe” Elliston, age 81, of Waltonville, died at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor.
Abe was born Dec. 27, 1928, in Centralia, a son of Joseph H. and Opal E. (Murray) Elliston. He married Shirley (Johnson); she preceded him in death on Oct. 9, 2001.
Mr. Elliston served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict in the 167th Infantry Regiment, 31st Infantry Division. He achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. He received the Korean Service Metal, Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. He was a member of the Amvets Post 148 in Waltonville, VFW Post 1376 in Mt. Vernon and the American Legion Post 141 in Mt. Vernon. He was a self employed oil field construction contractor.
Abe is survived by several brothers- and sisters in-law; caregiver, Clara Conerly; the Russel Wilton family; brother’s of the 31st Infantry Division; several nieces and nephews; and also many other friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
Lavern Tate
Lavern Tate was a staff sergeant in the Korean War with the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, at the Chosin Reservoir Nov-Dec 1950; fought the breakout with the Marines as a member of Army Provisional Battalion, 31/7.
After activation of the U.S. Army Chapter - The Chosin Few, Lavern was one of the first to join and immediately volunteer his talents to the brotherhood. He served as Secretary Treasurer for many years. Lavern and his dear Sandy were always there with a smile at chapter reunions.
Th Soldiers of Changjin will miss Lavern, each in his own way, and as a group at our next chapter reunion.
Pro Patria [motto of the 31st Infantry]
Colonel George A. Rasula, USA (Ret)
Chosin Historian
Former district attorney Tate dies
By Tom Smith & Bernie Delinski
Of the TimesDaily
Published: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, June 29, 2009 at 11:07 p.m.
FLORENCE - Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Mike Jones described former District Attorney Lavern Tate with two words.
"The best," said Jones, whom Tate hired as an assistant district attorney in 1979, straight out of law school.
Tate, who served as the county's district attorney for 20 years, died Sunday night at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. He was 81.
"I could not have asked for a better situation to learn the law because you were right in the middle of everything in the district attorney's office, and he threw you right into it," Jones said. "It was a real trial by fire.
"We're going to miss him. He was a good man. He was a character to work with, a real personality. It was just a wonderful experience to be around."
Tate was the county's first district attorney.
"Prior to that, the office was called the circuit solicitor, and Lavern was the assistant circuit solicitor under Bill Almond," said former Lauderdale County Circuit Judge Ed Tease, a longtime friend of Tate's.
Tease said Tate ran unopposed for the office in 1966.
"And I think he only had opposition once during his tenure," Tease said.
Tease, who began as Tate's first assistant district attorney in 1967, said he and Tate were involved in the last case tried in the old courthouse, which was where the Florence-Lauderdale government building is now, and the first case heard in the existing courthouse, which was opened in the spring of 1965.
"It was the same case," Tease said. "I was the defense attorney and Lavern was prosecuting the case and Judge Robert M. Hill Sr. was the presiding judge. He recessed one day and told us we would meet the following week in his new courtroom in the fifth floor of the new courthouse."
During's Tate's tenure as district attorney, he had several assistants - three went on to become circuit judges, one a district attorney and another a city school board member.
"One thing you can say about Lavern was that he was the same in regards to the cases we handled no matter who the individuals were that were involved," said former district attorney Steve Graham, who worked under Tate as an assistant. "He had the reputation of being an old grizzly bear, but he was really a teddy bear. He was a great mentor to a lot of people."
Jones said Tate was an excellent and ethical district attorney.
"Lavern had a wonderful sense of what needed to be done in a particular case," he said. "He had a feel for people. He had a feel for the facts and he was doggedly determined to achieve a just outcome in a case."
Retired Lauderdale Circuit Court Judge Leslie Johnson worked six years under Tate in the district attorney's office. "He was a great guy and mentor," Johnson said.
"I owe him a great debt of gratitude because of the professional development he allowed me to have under his leadership."
Tease said Tate also had a passion for his work in the Gideon's International ministry.
William Swearingen
William Swearingen was a Warrant Officer jg in the Mundung ni area of Korea from 1951 - 1952, he passed away on January 2, 2009. His daughter Elizabeth Brewer had recently submitted photos to us in hopes that someone would be able to identify the men in the photos for her father. She is still interested in learning the names of the those in the photographs.
SGT Jamal H. Raines
On the morning of 16 December, Sergeant Jamal H. Raines was found deceased in his off-post quarters. Each and every Polar Bear was shocked and saddened by his passing. Sergeant Raines joined the Polar Bears in August 2007 and quickly became a trusted and respected member of the 4-31st Communications Section, Headquarters Company and Battalion. He was a combat veteran, a loving husband, and a devoted father. Sergeant Raine's death was truly tragic. As we enter the holiday season, we should keep his family anad friends in our thoughts and hearts. While Sergeant Raines' death was untimely, his life wasa not unfulfilled. He knew the love of his family, friends and comrades. He married and helped raise a child. He served his country as a patriot and Soldier, and ensured freedom for peace-loving people around the world. This will be his legacy and it is a remarkable one. LTC Greene, Commander 4-31
LTC Joseph A. Dyer, Ret
LTC Joseph A. Dyer, Ret passed away in Roanoke, VA on 7 October 2007, following a fall. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
PVT Tommy Rogers
Tommy Rogers, Served with the 31st regt 1st and 2nd bats at Chunchon in 1946-1947.
He passed away on April 12, 2007, in Hattiesburg, MS.
John Nealon Feazell
John Nealon Feazell died on May 19, 2008. He was a member of this organization. He served in the Korean War and was buried with military honors.
Rev. Wilburn Snyder
The Rev. Wilburn Snyder, a Baptist pastor who survived the Bataan Death March in the Philippines died Tuesday, May 13 in the Veterans Medical Center in Houston, TX. Rev Snyder was 85 years old. Alton Rogers, forwarded the notice of Rev Snyder's passing.
William (Bill) Dolphin
April 24, 2008
notice received from his loving wife Janet
Bill passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2008. He was 74 years old. When he fell and broke his hip, it was bad. They couldn't get him stable enough to do the operation. His lungs filled with fluid, and his kidneys stopped working. He was in the hospital for 18 days, they did all they could in ICU for him. He is at rest and out of pain.
William Daniel Dolphin of Ocala Fl., passed away April 24, 2008 at the Legacy House Hospice in Ocala, Fl., he was 74. Born July 21, 1933 in the Bronx, NY to the late William and Catherine (Johnson) Dolphin. Bill lived in the Bronx for 28 years, Rockland County for 25 years Ulster County for 10 years and retired in Florida for the past 11 years. Bill joined the United States Army in 1951, and was a Decorated War Hero, during the Korean War and was awarded the Silver Star for bravery and Purple Heart, he was a life member and Past Quarter Master in the 31st Infantry . He was an accountant for Gestetner Corp. For 34 years and self employed for 9 years, also a Life Member and Past President of the Tallman Fire Department, He enjoyed Hockey, softball, and golf, and was a hockey referee for 25 years -and 10 years as a softball umpire, Past President of the Tri-State Hockey Association, also was past treasurer of the Palm Cay Homeowners Association, His nickname was “The Greatest”.... which he was. He is survived by his Beloved Childhood sweetheart of 55 years Janet Emma (Waibel) Dolphin, his daughter Laureen Janet (Dolphin) Piwowar, his son Wayne William Dolphin, four granddaughters, Melissa and Michelle Dolphin, and Tammy Thiel, and Krisitn Piwowar, his sister Catherine Crawford, and Brother-in -law Kenneth and his wife Joyce Waibel. He was pre-deceased by his sister Ethel Mary Dolphin.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern, burial will follow at Airmont Cemetery in Airmont, NY. Friends and relatives are invited on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 Pm at the Scarr Funeral Home Inc Route 202 Suffern. Firematic Services will be held on Tuesday at 7:45 PM.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Legacy Hospice 9505 SW 110th Street Ocala Fl. 34481 or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. For direction’s or to sign William’s guest book please visit www.scarrfuneralhome.net
Robert (Bob) Trease
April 2, 2008
received notice from William Trease
My father; Robert (Bob) Trease passed away on April 2, 2008 of diabetes related illness. He served in the Korean War with the 31st Infantry Regiment, February 10, 1952 to December 2, 1953. He was 75.
LT Dominador Yacapin - 6-31/Delta Co-HHC '69-70
January 8, 2008
notice received from Louis Dominguez: I just got a call from the daughter of DOMI YACAPIN.
She was going through his papers and found the Pro Patria rewsletter with my name and contact information in it.
Domi passed away on Jan 8th. He served 35 years in the military, 10 active and the rest reserve. She did not know when he served with the 31st.
There will be a viewing at the El Cajon (near San Diego) Mortuary on Jan 23rd and will have a military ceremony at Ft. Rosecrans.
Messages of Sympathy may be sent to the family home at
9435 Leticia Drive
Santee, CA 92071-2249
Lt. Col. USAR (Ret) Clyde C. Childress - Bataan Veteran
90, of Tucson, died August 10, 2007. Born July 22, 1917, in Ft Worth, TX, to James and Clyde Childress. He was a U.S. Army WW II veteran, and received two Bronze Service Stars, for his service in the Philippines, one Silver Star Combat Infantryman Badge, and was an Infantry Unit Commander. He was a member of the V.F.W., life member of D.A.V., life member of the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor #236, member of the 31st Infantry Regiment Association, and the American Guerillas of Mindanao.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Dee E. Childress.
Albert L. Taylor, Bataan Veteran
Albert Taylor, 84 of Coleman TX, died Saturday, May 12, 2007 at Coleman County Medical Center. Burial was in Coleman City Cemetery.
Albert Lee Taylor was born March 22, 1923 in Palo Pinto, Texas, the son of Joshua Bartlett Taylor and Annie Lee Kimbrough. He married Dorothy Pearl Jerden on March 13, 1947 in Seminole.
He served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1961 during World War II and Korea, receiving the American Defense Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Philippine Defense Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart.
He was a member of the Ex-Prisoner of War Club in Abilene, American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and North Coleman Baptist Church.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Nathan S. Barnes, 23, of American Fork, Utah, died July 17 in Rushdi Mullah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked by insurgents using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Nathan S Barnes
DoD Announces Change-In-Status of Army Soldier
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom who was previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown.
Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., 20, of Torrance, Calif., was captured May 12 by enemy forces in Al Taqa, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by insurgents using automatic fire and explosives. His body was recently recovered in Iraq. The circumstances surrounding his capture and death remain under investigation.
Anzack was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Joseph J Anzack
DoD Announces Change-In-Status Of Army Soldier
The Department of Defense today announced the death of a soldier supporting Operation Iraq Freedom, who was previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN).
Sgt. Anthony J. Schober, 23, of Reno, Nev., died on May 12 in Al Taqa, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his patrol was attacked by enemy forces using automatic fire and explosives. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Anthony J Schober on right
photo submitted by SGT John Phung - photo from 2005 tour
The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died May 12 in Al Taqa, Iraq, of wounds suffered when their patrol was attacked by enemy forces using automatic fire and explosives. They were assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Killed were:
Sgt. 1st Class James D. Connell Jr., 40, of Lake City, Tenn.
Pfc. Daniel W. Courneya, 19, of Nashville, Mich.
Pfc. Christopher E. Murphy, 21, of Lynchburg, Va.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Steven R. Tudor, 36, of Dunmore, Pa., died Apr. 21 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using indirect fire during combat operations. Tudor was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Staff Sergeant Steven Tudor was a member of our Forward Support Company. The official designation of his unit is F Co/210 BSB but the Soldiers, in reality, are F Co/4-31.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cpl. Ray M. Bevel, 22, of Andrews, Texas, died Apr. 21 in Yusifiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit during combat patrol operations. Bevel was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Ryan A. Bishop, 32, of Euless, Texas, died April 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on dismounted patrol. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
The Department of Defense announced today (02/13/2006) the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
PFC Brian A. Browning, 20, of Astoria, Ore., died Feb. 6 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from enemy small arms fire while conducting security operations. Browning was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
We received this notice 01/20/2007 from Mike Doak
My father, Richard L. Doak passed away on January 5, 2007. He served in WWII as a platoon leader in the Americal division in the Phillipeans and Korea as platoon leader for 7th Infantry, 31st regiment, Polar Bear Division, Charlie Company in Korea. He received both the Silver Star for gallentry in action and the Bronze Star for meritorious duty as company supply officer. He served under Capt. Kim and Col. William J. NcCaffrey who passed away Feb. 2006.He is to be buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetary on January 29, 2007. His wife, Virginia, who passed away two weeks later, will be interred with him.
God Bless America and God Bless our troops and veterans!
Richard and Virginia Doak - McGregor TX - train station off to Korea
Mike believes this is the battle his father earned the Silver Star in.
Two Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team were killed in Iraq Dec. 27 when they were attacked by an improvised explosive device during a combat patrol. Sgt. Christopher P. Messer and Pfc. Nathaniel A. Given were both assigned to Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, also known as the 'Polar Bears.' Messer and Given deployed with their unit to Iraq in August 2006.
Pfc. Nathaniel A. Given, 21, was an infantryman assigned to Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment. Originally from Dickinson, Texas, Given enlisted in the Army in June 2005 and trained at Fort Benning, Ga., to be an infantry Soldier. He was assigned to 4-31 Inf. in November 2005.
His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.
Born in Galveston, TX , Nathan was a life-long resident of Dickinson, TX . He attended Dickinson ISD schools, and was of the Christian faith. He loved his family and his country.
Nathan is survived by his parents Floyd and Donna Given of Dickinson; brother Emery Given of Dickinson; sister Amanda Given of San Leon, TX; grandmothers Katherine Rose Given of Hitchcock, TX, and Mary Laymance of Bacliff, TX; grandfather Glynn Laymance of Texas City, TX; and girlfriend Jessica Galloway of Dickinson.
Floral arrangements may be sent to the funeral home, or donations may be made in honor of Nathan to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Galveston Burn Hospital , t801 Market Street , Galveston ,TX 77550 .
Funeral Services with full military honors are scheduled for 2PM Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City , 3100 Gulf Freeway, Dr. Keith Broyles, officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson . Visitation will be held 1PM -2PM Saturday, January 6, 2007 at the funeral home.
Floyd Given - Nathan's father shared this photo with us. L-R Nathan, Chris Messer and their Iraqi interpreter
Sgt. Christopher P. Messer, 28, was an infantryman assigned to Company D, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
A native of Petersburg, Mich., Messer enlisted in the Army in February 2003 and completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga. In October 2003 he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment at Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt, Germany. In July 2005, he was reassigned to 4-31 Inf. at Fort Drum. Messer participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2004 to March 2005.
His military education includes the Warrior Leader Course and the Combat Livesaver Course. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with 'V' device, Valorous Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and the Driver Badge.
Floral arrangements may be sent to the funeral home, or donations may be made in honor of Christopher P. Messer Memorial Fund, at the Monroe Bank & Trust, 102 E Front St, Monroe, MI 48161.
The funeral services for SGT Christopher Messer will be handled by Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd. Monroe, MI 48161. Interment at Pleasantview Cemetery, Intersection of Ida Rd West and Dixon Rd, Petersburg, MI 49270. Date and time of the funeral is not known at this time
SPC Nicholas Rogers of Deltona, FL
SPC Rogers with his daughter Jocelyn
October 22, 2006
Spc. Nicholas K. Rogers, 27, of Deltona, Fla., died Oct. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered when his patrol came in contact with enemy forces during combat operations, a combination of small arms, mortar and RPG fire. Rogers was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. Rogers a medic with HHC that was attached to B Co.
PFC Satieon V. Greenlee
Sir,
FYI-The Polar Bears have had two more incidents within the last 24 hrs.
PFC Satieon V. Greenlee, A/4-31, was killed in action yesterday (Monday, October 1, 2006) when he was shot in the head by a sniper while on patrol in S. Baghdad.
Patrick L. Harvey
MAJ, IN
CDR, 2BCT (Rear) Provisional
Pfc. Satieon V. Greenlee, 24, of Pendleton was killed while serving in Baghdad. Greenlee, nicknamed "T" by family, was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, based out of Fort Drum, N.Y., according to a Defense Department news statement.
Satieon Greenlee grew up in Pendleton, where he attended Pendleton High School, his relative said. He leaves behind a wife and three young boys, all of whom are living at Fort Drum.
Condonlence messages can be sent to the family
Yolanda Bowman
ATTN: Natasha Greenlee
302 Harden Road
Anderson, S.C. 29624
SPC Bobby Callahan
Polar Bears,
The Battalion lost a Soldier in Iraq this past week. SPC Bobby Callahan was
killed in an accident (see link below). He was the first killed in the
Brigade on this combat deployment. Callahan was an 11C in the HHC Mortar
Platoon. This was his second trip to Iraq. The first time around he was
part of my and the S3's PSD. He also earned the ARCOM w/ V for helping to
save medic SPC Brandon Burke's life during a mortar attack at Abu Ghraib
last May. Please join me in prayer for Bobby's family (parents, brother,
sister, and wife) and all his comrades in arms.
Pro Patria,
COL John Spiszer
GREENSBORO - We are proud to honor our loved one, U.S. Army Specialist Robert Thomas (Bobby) Callahan, 22, of the Fourth Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division who was killed Tuesday, September 19, 2006, in a vehicle accident while on patrol in the Baghdad region of Iraq. He had been in Iraq for about a month and was starting his second tour of duty there.
Bobby will be buried with full military honors at 11 a.m. Friday, September 29, in Forest Lawn Cemetery (Guilford Battleground Park) in Greensboro.
The family visitation will be from 7 until 9 p.m. Thursday at Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Funeral Home, 6000 High Point Road, Greensboro.
Because of Bobby's love for children, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam's Way, Randleman, N.C. 27317; to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 419 S. Hawthorne Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103; or to the American Red Cross, 4-A Oakbranch Ct., Greensboro, N.C. 27407.
These photos are of SPC Callahan receiving his ARCOM w/V in the final awards ceremony in Iraq 12 June 05.
He received two ARCOM that day for meritorious performance throughtout the 2004-05 deployment. Photos courtesy of Col. John Spizer.