WOLIUNG, John - KIA - Korea - Putnam

Mrs. Blanche Davis received word Saturday that her nephew, John Woliung of Greencastle, Ind had been killed in a flight mission in Korea.

Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Mon 10 Nov 1952 p 4

Mr. and Mrs. W.K. Lewright visited Mrs. John Woliung of Greencastle.  Mrs. Woliung recently received word that her husband who was best man at the Lewright wedding was killed in Korea. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Newhard of Park Avenue, Lafayette.

Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Mon 10 Nov 1952 p 12

Lt. John G. Woliung, Purdue graduate and husband of the former Verna Marie Newhard of Lafayette lost his life in the Korean War Nov 5 according to word received from the Department of Defense in Washington.  Piloting an F-51 Mustang, Woliung was shot down by enema fire after having dropped his bomb load. His plane suddenly disintegrated and no parachute followed the message stated.  Lt. Woliung’s widow is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley C. Newhard, 636 Parke Avenue. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woliung live at Greencastle.  He was a 1947 graduate of Purdue University and a member of the Fraternity of Luma.  He also belonged to the First Christian Church, Masonic Lodge No 22 and Order of Eastern Star No 255 all of Greencastle and the Scottish Rite of Danville, Ill.  He served three and a half years in military service during WWII in the South Pacific.

Source: Dearborn County Register Thu 13 Nov 1951 p 1

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woliung of Greencastle, formerly of Lawrenceburg received word last week from the War Department that their son, Lt. John G. Woliung, 31, a pilot with the US Air Force was missing in Korea. The telegram was followed by a letter late Friday from the Department of the Air Forces, informing them their son’s plane had crashed in North Korea, and it is presumed he perished in the crash.  A veteran of WWII, with more than 100 combat missions in the Far East, Lt. Woliung returned to the United States from active duty in December 1945 and reenlisted in the Air Force in march 1946 with the rating of Master Sgt.  He was recalled to active duty with the rank of Lt. in Feb 1951 and left for Korea last May 12.  His wife, the former Miss Verna Newhard of Lafayette to whom he was married in December 1945 has been residing in their home in Rantoul, Ill during his absence. Lt. Woliung resided in Lawrenceburg during his boyhood days and has many friends here.  He attended Lawrenceburg HS and moved with his parents to Greencastle when his father, a rural mail carrier took over a route out of that city. He was graduated from Greencastle HS and Purdue University.  The letter received by Mr. and Mrs. Woliung reads as follows:  Dear Mr. and Mrs. Woliung: I sincerely regret that in writing this letter I must confirm the recent message announcing the sad news that your son, First Lt. John G. Woliung has been missing since 5 November 1952 as a result of participating in Korean operations.  Our report state that Lt. Woliung was the pilot of an F-51 type air craft which was one of a flight of four on a combat mission over North Korea.  During this mission  your son’s aircraft was seen to disintegrate immediately after releasing the bombs in the targe area.  Unfortunately, no parachute was seen to leave the plane. The information received from the overseas commander indicates that in all probably, your son perished in the crash, however, the Department of the Air Force will continue to hold him in a missing status until his fate is ascertained. You will be advised immediately of any new information which we may receive.  Permit me to extend my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.  Sincerely yours, John H. McCormick, Major General, USAF. – kbz

Source: Greencastle Daily Banner 8 Nov 1952 p 1

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Woliung, West Columbia Street received addition word late Friday afternoon regarding their son, Lt. John Woliung, who had been reported Missing in the Korean War.  A letter from the Department of the Air Force, Washington DC reads as follows: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Woliung: I sincerely regret that in writing this letter I must confirm the recent message announcing the sad news that your son, First Lt. John G. Woliung has been missing since 5 November 1952 as a result of participating in Korean operations.  Our report state that Lt. Woliung was the pilot of an F-51 type air craft which was one of a flight of four on a combat mission over North Korea.  During this mission  your son’s aircraft was seen to disintegrate immediately after releasing the bombs in the targe area.  Unfortunately, no parachute was seen to leave the plane. The information received from the overseas commander indicates that in all probably, your son perished in the crash, however, the Department of the Air Force will continue to hold him in a missing status until his fate is ascertained. You will be advised immediately of any new information which we may receive.  Permit me to extend my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.  Sincerely yours, John H. McCormick, Major General, USAF.

Source: Greencastle Daily Banner 21 Nov 1953 p 4

Memorial services for Capt. John Woliung who lost his life in the air over Korea will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in the Church. The Rev. Ralph Saunders will be in charge of the service. Dr. McClure will give the memorial address.