Heinrich Cornies 1931 - 1953

In a previous post, Wilhelm Cornies was the subject as an individual who chose to serve his country in the armed forces.  That choice was a diversion from his Anabaptist roots and the belief in non-violence.

Heinrich (Henry) Cornies (son of No. 152 in Nachkommen von Martin Cornies version 20110313.pdf) also chose to serve his country of the United States of America during the Korean War.  He enlisted in the US Army on November 25, 1952 and was a member of the 663rd Engineer Combat Company, 1169 Engineer Combat Group.  He married Doris Mae Eddy April 5 1953 in Wrightsville, PA (He was 21 and she was 18 at the time of their marriage).  He died on July 24, 1953 in Korea.  The military report read as follows:


"At approximately 1615 hours on 24 July 1953 Pvt Cornies, during the course of his normal duties, was walking South through the company Motor Pool.  As he walked past the rear of a 5 Ton Cargo Truck the driver started to back the truck toward Cornies.  A witness, standing approximately 100 feet from the scene of the accident, shouted to both the truck driver and the victim.  Before either one could take preventive action the left rear corner of the truck struck Pvt Cornies' left side.  The impact knocked him under the right rear wheel of the truck.  Two company officers were immediately summoned to the scene of the accident, and could feel no pulse.  At approximately 1625 hours the 1169th Engineer Group (Combat) surgeon arrived at the scene of the accident and pronounced Pvt Cornies dead.  At approximately 1635 hours the victim was taken by company vehicle to the 49th SH (MA); he was officially pronounced dead on arrival.  The probable cause of death was a fractured skull." 

Heinrich was buried Oct 11 1953 in the Fairview Cemetery in Wrightsville, PA. He was awarded the following medals: Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

Thanks to D. Campbell for providing the detailed information above.