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Remembering a young man who gave his life: Motzko is Killed In Action in Korea

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by Karin L. Nauber

karin@inhnews.com

His eyes looked sad the day his photo was taken for his official Army photo. Perhaps he was fearful of what awaited him. Perhaps he was sad to be leaving his home and family.

Whatever the reason, Harold V. Motzko, at the tender age of 20, enlisted in the Army on April 28, 1949.

Motzko was born September 25, 1929 in Little Elk. He attended school at District 9.

After that, he worked on his parent’s farm until he enlisted in the Army.

He received his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas and then was transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky for further training.

On June 26, 1950 it was reported in the Browerville Blade that he came home for a 30-day furlough to visit his parents—Vincent T. and Agnes Motzko.

He was then transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington. After that, he served as an instructor of an engineer unit at Camp Cooke, California.

In July of 1951 he came home for a 21-day furlough, returned to Fort Lewis and then went overseas to serve in Korea where he was attached to the Second Division.

Just four days after his 22nd birthday—September 30, 1951—he was reported as missing in action and then in a telegram it was reported he had been killed in action as of that date.

According to the 1951 article in the Browerville Blade, “Mrs. Motzko received a letter on Thursday, November 13, from Harold’s commanding officer in which it stated that Harold died of multiple gunshot wounds when his unit’s position was attacked by the enemy in the vicinity of Tol-Lyon, Korea.”

The last known letter he wrote was on September 13 which was addressed to a sister. This letter indicated they were near Heartbreak Ridge. . . .

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