Remains of Korean War soldier declared MIA brought home to Mentor

MENTOR, Ohio - The body of a Korean War Army corporal declared missing in action will be laid to rest in Mentor on Wednesday.

Army Cpl. Pryor Gobble, 18, died Dec. 12, 1950 at Chosin Reservoir in Hungnam, North Korea, but was listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

In late Nov. 1950, Cpl. Gobble and soldiers with the 31st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), known as "Task Force Faith," were along the eastern bands of the Chosin Reservoir when enemy forces attacked.

Gobble, along with many other Americans, was listed as MIA as a result of the heavy fighting, according to regimental records compiled after the battle.

According to Gobble's obituary, between 1990 and 1994, North Korea gave the United States 208 boxes believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen who died in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir. Dental records and DNA were used to match the identities of those MIA to the remains.

On Wednesday, Gobble's family will receive friends at the McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center St. in Mentor, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The funeral service is set for 10 a.m. and Gobble will be laid to rest in the Concord Cemetery in Concord Township.

Cpl. Gobble's nephew, the Rev. Stefan Sawczak, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Gobble's name to the Chester Christian Assembly of God Church, 11815 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township.