Press Release | Jan. 17, 2024

Soldier Accounted for from Korean War (Barrow, R.)

Washington D.C.  –  

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced today that U.S. Army Master Sgt. Roy E. Barrow, 39 of Valdosta, Georgia, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for Sept. 22, 2023.

At the end of World War II, the U.S. military began a lengthy process of downsizing it forces. Many troops, especially commissioned officers, felt the call to continue service of their nation. As such, Lieutenants and Captains would be offered a reduction to Master Sergeant.  This was the case with MSG Barrow, who had been reduced in rank when called to serve in the Korean War.

In the winter of 1950, MSG Barrow was a member of King Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 12 after his unit was attacked by enemy forces as they attempted to withdraw near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea.

In 1954, during Operation Glory, North Korea unilaterally turned over remains to the United States, including one set, designated Unknown X-15869 Operation Glory. The remains were reportedly recovered from prisoner of war camps, United Nations cemeteries and isolated burial sites. None of the remains could be identified as Barrow and he was declared non-recoverable on Jan. 16, 1956. The remains were subsequently buried as an unknown in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu.

In 2013, DPAA disinterred X-15869, and after a decade of scientific advances and increased historical research, DPAA was able to positively associate X-15869 to Barrow.

To identify Barrow’s remains, scientists from DPAA used chest radiograph comparison, dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.

MSG Barrow’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

MSG Barrow will be buried in Valdosta, Georgia, on January 27, 2024.

For family and funeral information, contact the Army Casualty Office at (800) 892-2490.