Nicolas "Nick" Garza was a PFC and a member of Co. C, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. On July 5, 1950, Nick was defending a position about two miles north of Osan, South Korea. It was overrun, and he was captured by North Korean forces. Nick and the other POWs were moved from place to place until the “Tiger Death March” commenced on Oct. 31st. The POWs were forced to marched through mountainous terrain in sub-zero weather for 108 miles. The POWs who survived were taken to a prisoner of war (POW) camp at Hanjang-ni. There was no heat, food, or medical attention. Nick died of malnutrition and dysentery on Dec. 20, 1950 and was buried in the mass graves at the POW camp.
The remains of many men who died in the Korean conflict have yet to be returned by North Korea. Both of Nick’s sisters joined the Dept. of Defense DNA Registry so that if the North Korean government ever repatriates his remains, Nick can be identified. The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory will send a kit and instructions to "family members of military personnel whose remains have not been recovered or identified from Southeast Asia, Cold War incidents, Korea, and World War II." If you would like to submit a sample, write to... Read More