January 31, 3013 - Johnnie Daugherty

My last post included a clipping of Howard Daugherty, son of Fred R. and Ona Daugherty.  I have been given a number of news pieces about Howard's brother, John Daugherty.  John was the youngest of three children.  The following is from an August 1952 publication.

Johnnie Daugherty is Injured in Korean Action

"Word was received Thursday of last week by Fred Daugherty of Wessington (SD) that his son, Pfc. John F. Daugherty, was wounded in action in Korea on Friday, August 15th.  The telegram received by Mr. Daugherty did not state the exact extent of the wounds, but merely said that John had been wounded and it gave the address where he is now hospitalized.  As of press time today Mr. Daugherty had no further word from either his son or army headquarters.

The telegram received read, in full; 'Fred Daugherty, Wessington, SD.; The Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his deep regret that your son Pfc. John F. Daugherty was wounded in action in Korea 15 Aug. 52.  Address mail; 'Rank name serial number, hospital directory section, APO 503, Care Postmaster, San Francisco, California.; Wm. E. Bergen, Major General, USA, The Adjutant General of the Army.:

Johnnie's complete address is: Pfc. John F. Daugherty, 55193250 Co., I, 16th Infantry Division, Hospital Section, APO 503 % Postmaster, San Francisco,  California.

It is hard to imagine what it must have been like to be a parent and receive this notice at a time predating Internet or sophisticated phones.

Here is another short article, published Nov. 1953.  I'm unsure of the Newspaper that either of these came from, though probably Wessington Times Enterprise.

Johnnie Daugherty Re-Enlists in Army

"Johnnie Daugherty left for Sioux Falls Wednesday for re-enlistment in the army.  From there he will go to Fort Riley, Kans.  Johnnie recently returned home from Korea where he was twice wounded in combat and received the Silver Sta, one of the army's higher individual awards."

Both Howard and Johnnie are Mom's first cousins.  Chuck S., originally from Wessington, fueled my interest in John's life story.  To be continued.