Family Told Lt. Driskell Killed in Korean War. Driskell was forced to march to North Korea on the “Tiger Death March”, and shot by a guard on a train to Manpo, North Korea on September 7, 1950.

USNA Class of 1950, Second Lieutenant Driskell was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was taken Prisoner of War while fighting the enemy in South Korea on July 6, 1950, forced to march to North Korea on the “Tiger Death March”, and shot by a guard on a train to Manpo, North Korea on September 7, 1950. Second Lieutenant Driskell was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

In a flag draped casket the remains of Lt Herman Lamar Driskell were returned to his native land last Friday, having made the final journey from Korea back home. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the First Baptist church in Monroe, interment following in the Alto cemetery.

Final Rites for Lt. Lamar Driskell Sat, Mar 22, 1952 – The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana)

Officiating clergymen were Rev.. R. L. Ross, pastor of Memorial Park Baptist Church of Monroe; Rev. Hall, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Winnsboro; Rev. C. S. Cadwallader, Jr. and Robert Latham. Music was directed by Irby Cox. Pallbearers were Bob Dillingham, Orie White, Bobby Ross, La. G. Wilkinson, C. O. Ringwald, Dr. T. A. Brulte, Jr., and Charles Regan.

Full military honors were performed at the graveside by members of the national guard. Honor guard was comprised of members of the American Legion posts in Monroe, Rayville and Mangham.

Lt. Driskell was one of the first Louisiana men to be reported missing in action in Korea. He was in Japan at the time that Korean hostilities were begun, and was with the famous 24th Army Division under General Dean, one of the first units to be thrown into action in this war. He went into action on about July 3, 1950, and was reported missing’ as of July 6. This tragic report was followed by long months of waiting and hoping by his family and friends, brought to a close by the Army identification of his remains, and final rites of honor performed here.

One fact that has been verified concerning Lt. Driskell’s death was that he met his end in heroic fashion, in a manner that reveals the worth of his Christian and American rearing. Last report of his action was that given by survivors of his Regiment, the 34th. He left the group to take one of his wounded men to the rear to receive attention. He was last seen crossing a rice field, supporting the wounded soldier. Thus the last known act of the Louisiana soldier was his attempt to give aid and succor to a fellow soldier. That fact should be of comfort to his grieving family, and a source of inspiration to the many who join his-family in grief for the passing of this fine young man.

Lt. Driskell is survived by his parents, Rev. and -Mrs. Herman Driskell, Sr. of Alto, and a sister, Miss Hermione Driskell, music supervisor in the Monroe schools.

Lt. Herman Driskell, Jr. Killed in Korean War Sat, Mar 1, 1952 – The Richland Beacon-News (Rayville, Louisiana)

Rev. and Mrs. H. L. Driskell of near Alto this week received official notification that their son, Lt. Herman Lamar Driskell, Jr., was now listed as killed in action in Korea.

The young Richland parish soldier had first been reported missing in action as of July 6, 1950, shortly after the beginning of the Korean conflict. After this heartbreaking communication, the Driskells’ received no more news. Their only source of information was an army chaplain who had been the same unit with their son, and ‘who was returned to the States not long ago.

Rev. Driskell contacted his son’s chaplain, and visited him, in hopes of learning more about the fate of the Richland soldier. However, he was still able to obtain very little news, only that his son had been among a large group who were all missing at the same time. He could give nothing definite about the fate of this group. After the official period of eighteen months had elapsed after the report of missing, it is assumed by Army authorities that the missing person is dead. Such notice was sent to the Driskells this week. Lt. Lamar Driskell, Jr., was a graduate of Neville High School and attended Tech, and later entered Annapolis. He enlisted in the Naval Air Corp in February, 1944. His father, a Baptist minister, formerly of Monroe, moved to his country home in Alto several years ago. In addition to his parents, he is survived by ‘ his sister. Miss Hermione Driskell of Monroe. He is connected to many of the prominent parish families.