Daviess County soldier, listed missing in action in Korea, may find his way home

A rewarding Memorial Day story has unfolded involving a Daviess County man who served in the Army in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was listed as missing in action in Korea and DNA tests may soon be conducted on his next of kin to determine if he is among the remains of several soldiers turned over to the U.S. Army recently by Korea.

Local records indicate Richard E. Thompson, the son of Samuel Allen Thompson and Mary (Ryan) Thompson, was born in Cameron in 1917. The family lived in Grand River Township in Daviess County during the 1910 and 1930 census. Richard was the youngest of four children. His siblings were John, Robert and Rosemary.

The Army is specifically searching for the children of Mr. Thompson’s sister, Rosemary, to test the maternal DNA.

A Pennsylvania man, Michael Foy, was in charge of the search. He contacted the recorder’s office in Daviess County and several from the community assisted in the search.

After contacting local veterans, longtime Daviess County residents, and several "Thompsons" still living in the area, Recorder Georgia Maxwell was put in contact with Venna Thompson, formerly of Jamesport, who now lives in Trenton.

Venna was able to provide the married name of Mr. Thompsons sister, Rosemary. She and her husband, Monty Potts of Hamilton, are both deceased. Their daughters were believed to be in St. Louis and Venezuela. This information was forwarded to Mr. Foy, who was then able to find one of Rosemary’s daughters.

Although he was not at liberty to reveal her name, Mr. Foy said he turned the information over to the Army which will contact the niece for a DNA test.

If the Daviess County soldier is identified among the Korean remains, family members will be involved in decisions for interment.