Two KIA war heroes honored

MAGOFFIN COUNTY – Two killed-in-action veterans from Magoffin County were honored over the weekend, with dedications held to ceremonially rename a road and a bridge in the county after the two brave soldiers.

On Saturday, June 19, DAV Chapter 15 performed two Veteran Memorial Dedications, one to honor Private First Class Blaine Minix, who was killed in action by snipers in Europe during World War II, and another for Corporal David Wireman, who was killed in action in Korea while trying to hold a line that was protecting the UN supply line. With these two dedications, the DAV and the fiscal court have now honored five killed-in-action veterans and one prisoner of war in the Royalton/South Magoffin area.

The families, at times emotional, were also included in the dedications and expressed gratitude to the Judge/Executive, fiscal court and the DAV for honoring their loved ones.

Signs were unveiled at both locations.

Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matt Wireman, who is also a member of the DAV, vowed to continue to honor the brave soldiers from Magoffin County, commending the DAV for the hard work they do to make sure every veteran is remembered and honored.

Wireman read the following resolutions on Saturday, previously adopted by the Magoffin County Fiscal Court but dedications had been put on hold due to COVID-19:

Magoffin County Fiscal Court Resolution
PFC Blaine Minix
Whereas, the Magoffin County Fiscal Court wishes to recognize the contributions and the ultimate sacrifice made by Private First Class Blaine Minix; and

Whereas, PFC Blaine Minix was born on February 18, 1920 to McKinley Minix and Peggy Jackson of Magoffin County; and

Whereas, PFC Blaine Minix entered the United States Army October 16, 1943 and completed his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and his infantry training at Fort Polk, Louisiana; and

Whereas, Private First Class Blaine Minix arrived in England on February 22, 1944 and trained until June of that year with the 30th Infantry Division. His division landed on Omaha Beach on June 15, 1944, 9 days after Operation Overlord (Battle of Normandy) began; and

Whereas, PFC Blaine Minix was involved in many battles en-route to St. Lo, France and was killed in action by a snipers bullet at one of the battles; and

Whereas, PFC Blaine Minix received several medals for his effort to defeat the Nazi War Machine. Some of the medals include the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart and Good Conduct medal; and

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that at mile point 4.219 where PFC Blaine Minix is laid to rest at the Jackson Cemetery to mile point 5.665 on Rt 1635, be forever known as the PFC Blaine Minix Memorial Road.

Signed:
Matthew Wireman, Magoffin Co. Judge/Exec.
Darrel Ray Howard, Magistrate Dist. 1
Pernell “Buck” Lemaster, Magistrate Dist. 2
Joe Bailey, Magistrate Dist. 3
Attest: Renee Arnett Shepherd, County Clerk

Magoffin County Fiscal Court Resolution
CPL David Wireman
Whereas, the Magoffin County Fiscal Court wishes to recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by Corporal David Wireman to his Country; and

Whereas, David Wireman was born 17 March 1932 in Magoffin County to James and Lula Mae Wireman; and

Whereas, Corporal Wireman enlisted in the United States Army August 23, 1948. After completing his training, he received orders to serve in Korea. Corporal Wireman was assigned to the 7th Calvary Regiment L CO 3rd Battalion. It did not take long for CPL Wireman and his unit to engage in fierce operation battles, especially in the area of Chorwon Valley. Two major battles in Chorwon Valley were Operation Minden and Operation Commando. There were 1775 deaths on the Korean Peninsula and surrounding waters in October 1951. The United States and her allies were working to establish and solidify lines and hold the ground. While he was in Chorwon Valley, Corporal Wireman and his unit’s mission was to hold the position and assist the other forces to push the North Korean Army back away from the UN supply line north of Seoul. The 1st Calvary Regiment lost 191 men in those operations in the month of October 1951. Corporal Wireman was one of those 191 men killed in action. With his heroic efforts and those of the other forces of the United States, Britain, Canada and other UN forces, they were successful pushing the North Koreans back to the 38th parallel line, which is still guarded today with over 38,000 United States Armed Forces; and

Whereas, David Wireman’s heroic actions were awarded the Purple Heart; Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Korean Service Medal; United Nations Service Medal; National Defense Service medal; Korean Presidential Unit Citation; and Republic of Korea War Service Medal; and

Whereas, Corporal Wireman did not make it home to talk to love ones and friends to tell about his experiences of the war. He was killed in action October 2, 1951. Corporal David Wireman lays in peaceful sleep in the hands of the Supreme Commander at the Wireman Cemetery in Waldo, Kentucky; and

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Trace Branch Bridge, located on KY Route 542 at mile point 2.774 be forever known as Corporal David Wireman Memorial Bridge.

Signed:
Matthew Wireman, Magoffin Co. Judge/Exec.
Darrel Ray Howard, Magistrate Dist. 1
Pernell “Buck” Lemaster, Magistrate Dist. 2
Joe Bailey, Magistrate Dist. 3
Attest: Renee Arnett Shepherd, County Clerk

On a related note, Chapter 15 of the DAV, Magoffin County Sheriff Department officials and Magoffin County Judge’s Office members, along with other community members, lined a section of the Mountain Parkway as the remains of World War II and Korean War Veteran Army Corporal Burl Mullins were brought home to rest on Tuesday. Mullins had been a prisoner of war in North Korea, where he inevitably passed away. His unit went missing in action on November 30, 1950, when North Korean soldiers attacked them. His remains were included with the ones that were recently turned over to the United States from North Korea, and were identified using DNA and other evidence. He was finally brought home on June 22 to Pike County, where the 23-year-old had lived, to be buried in his final resting place.