Our Nation and its Families Remember

This is a true story of two soldiers who never met but their families care dearly for each other.

A newspaper article from 1953 connected PVT David Wesley Mills ex-POW and CPL Ronald George Bradley, currently MIA. They both were in horrific battles on Outpost Harry during the Korean War in 1953. 

A memorial ceremony was held by Colonel Russell F. Akers, Jr. Regimental Commander of the 15th Infantry, US Army. The memorial was held near Outpost Harry on August 19, 1953, in which both men’s names were read in the Korean Hills from the list of killed in action and missing in action soldiers. David Mills is thought to be killed in action. Ronald Bradley is missing in action. It is important to remember the sacrifices that our soldiers made. This is why National POW/MIA Recognition Day is held on the third Friday in September each year.

The Buffalo Evening News article shown was printed on September 4, 1953. It was found by ex-POW David Wesley Mills in 2012. In 1995, his oldest brother had received a box of keepsake items from their mother’s home when she passed. In 2003, when David’s brother passed away, David's wife gave David the box to sort through. Nine years later, when his family was planning a move, his brother’s wife gave David the box to sort through. It was then he found this article which his mother had kept as one of her most treasured items. The article had been cut out of the paper and given to her by a neighbor. We can only imagine the joy this woman felt when she found out her son was not killed in the Korean War but had been a POW. 

David Mills’ captors had never declared him a prisoner of war. David Mills was only 17 when he was captured on April 24, 1953, at Outpost Harry which is now located in the DMZ (Demilitarized zone) between North and South Korea. Outpost Harry was overrun by the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF). Pvt. David Mills had fired his Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) continuously at the attacking Chinese. Then his rifle overheated and would not fire. He had been wounded nine times in the attack before he was captured by the CCF. David could see many dead bodies around him, both Chinese and American. 

Pvt. David Mills was taken to a POW camp. He almost gave up his will to live, every day he lived in fear that CCF would kill him. It was his belief in God that helped him survive. David was praying the war would end soon and dreaming about his life at home. 

On August 24, 1953, David’s dream came true. He was returned to American hands in Operation Big Switch. David was taken by ambulance to Freedom Village. David said being free was the happiest day of his life! David is an excellent speaker and was honored to speak at the Arlington National Cemetery for the “Korean War Commemoration 59th Anniversary,” which can be viewed on YouTube. David and his wife Shirley have raised a beautiful family and currently live in Pennsylvania.

On August 19, 1953, one of the names of the men MIA (Missing in Action) that was read at the memorial ceremony for the 15th Infantry Regiment in Korea near Outpost Harry was Cpl. Ronald George Bradley who was reported MIA June 11, 1953. While taps echoed in the hills of Korea that day, Ronald’s wife, Florence Bradley was delivering their first child Rhonda in Nebraska. Cpl. Ronald G. Bradley has never been found. 

Rhonda and her husband Bob Gloodt live on Marco Island. David Mills and Rhonda met at an Outpost Harry Reunion and have become dear friends.