Army Sgt Eugene W Yost

Army Sgt. Eugene W. Yost, 18, of Milaca, Minnesota, and accounted for on March 28, 2018, will be buried October 5 in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minnesota. In September 1950, Yost was a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Yost’s regiment was responsible for defending the road from Sanju to Taegu in South Korea, and positioned themselves in bordering hills. On September 2, the unit received information that the 19th Regiment North Korea People’s Army would attack in the evening. During the night, the North Koreans overran the cavalry’s positions. Yost was last seen on Sept. 3, 1950, and was reported missing in action when he could not be accounted for.

In March 1951, remains were found in the vicinity of Tongmyongwon, South Korea, in an area that corresponded with where Yost’s regiment fought. The remains, designated Unknown X-742 Tanggok, were unable to be identified and were buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.

On June 12, 2017, Unknown X-742 Tanggok was disinterred from the Punchbowl and sent to the laboratory for identification.

To identify Yost's remains, scientists from DPAA and the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis, dental anthropological and chest radiograph comparison analysis, as well as circumstantial and material evidence.

DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs for their assistance in this recovery.