Korean War
-
MIA
Fallen
Circumstances:
Just after midnight on October 16, 1952, a C-46 Commando (tail number 44-77538) carrying four crew members and twenty-one passengers departed Kangnung Air Base for a night courier flight to Pohang Air Base. There was no contact with the aircraft after takeoff, and it did not reach its destination or land at any other friendly airfield in the area. An intense three-day search for the aircraft was conducted after it was reported overdue, but was unsuccessful in locating the missing plane, crew members, or passengers. Eventually, remains of several individuals from the flight were recovered; however, seventeen of those aboard remain unaccounted-for.
Biography:
Technical Sergeant Melvin Edwin Sarkilahti, who entered the U.S. Air Force from Washington, was assigned to the 1st SHORAN Beacon Squadron, 502nd Tactical Control Group. He was a passenger aboard this C-46 when it went missing. No returning POWs mentioned having contact with TSgt Sarkilahti, nor was he seen at any known holding point, interrogation center, hospital, or permanent POW camp. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Technical Sergeant Sarkilahti is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His name is also inscribed on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, which was updated in 2022 to include the names of the fallen.
Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual's case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.
born Rolla, ND 17 Jan 26; resident Rolette County, ND; entered AUS Ft Lewis, WA 24 Jun 44; served European African Middle Eastern Theater and Germany; separated Camp McCoy, Wis 11 Jun 46; T/5; entered USAF 14 Aug 49, place unknown; served in Korea; KIA 16 Oct 52 Korea; buried in Rolla Cemetery, Rolla, ND.