I was out trying to find the grave of a soldier who died in World War One, when I stumbled across this grave. I've never seen a grave marker with a device like this before and I never heard of a "Rakkasan Trooper". So, a quick Google search gave me the basics. The bronze plaque came loose, but I'm glad to see it stayed with the grave. How odd and sad that I was looking for the grave of one teenage soldier, but found another who gave the supreme sacrifice over thirty years later.

 

 

I found a little more info on this Rakkasan Trooper

 

 

SKEES ROBERT S. Pvt D WIA 50-09-30 KIMPO S. KOREA

 

SKEES ROBERT S. Pvt D KIA 51-02-04 NAGOL S. KOREA

Those statistics are a little confusing and conflicting, maybe two troopers with the same name/...hers another page with info on him

http://www.abmc.gov/search-korean-war-veterans-memorial-honor-roll/detail/Korea_29457#.VJ94FSyCY

A sad reminder for sure. That poor grave site looks abandoned and long forgotten. I would notify the caretakers about the monument coming loose or contact a local headstone business to see if they would donate the repair labor to secure it once again (before it ends up on eBay)

 

RIP Trooper!

It is sad to see a grave falling apart, sending a note to the caretaker seems very appropriate.

Thanks for all of the information on Pvt. Skees. It's interesting to hear more about his service.

 

The cemetery is actually very well kept, but the plague seems to overlap the edge of the stone, and I imagine the lawnmowers hit it loose. There is remnants of some kind of adhesive that was originally used to secure it (seen in the second pic). The caretakers were very nice in helping me locate another grave but I will be sure to mention this one and even offer to secure it myself (maybe some high grade epoxy?) I plan on "adopting" the stone of the WW1 soldier (in very bad shape) and would be happy to care for this stone as well.

http://www.koreanwarcasualties.org/index.php?page=directory&rec=22779

Name: Robert S Skees

Service Number: RA13313495

Home State: Pennsylvania

Home County: Allegheny

Component: USA Regular Army

Troop: Ab Division - 11th

Troop Element: Ab Div Abrn Rgt

Unit:1187

Rank: Private E-2

Branch: Infantry

Place Casualty: South Korea

Date Casualty: 09/30/1950

Casualty Type: Returned to Duty FECOM (Far East Command)

Details: Seriously Wounded in Action by Missile, Returned to Duty FECOM

Disposition Place: South Korea

Disposition Date: 10/17/1950

Summary: Overview for Robert S Skees military casualty record during the Korean War

 

 

http://www.koreanwarcasualties.org/index.php?page=directory&rec=22780

 

 

Place Casualty: North Korea Sector

Date Casualty: 12/04/1950

Casualty Type: Died as Result of Missile Wound Received in Action

Details: Seriously Wounded in Action by Missile, DOW or DOI FECOM

Disposition Place: North Korea

Disposition Date: 12/06/1950

 

 

http://korean-war-casualties.mooseroots.com/l/8401/Robert-S-Skees

 

Here his occupation is listed as Heavy Weapons Infantryman- Parachutist

Very sad reminder. I hope it can be repaired.

 

-Dave