Korean War veteran being laid to rest in Hancock County Thursday

The Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency announced in March that U.S. Army Cpl. Lester William Bauer, 20, killed during the Korean War, was accounted for March 4, 2025.

Bauer is being laid to rest in Hancock County Thursday.

Corporal Lester William Bauer of Frankfort, Indiana, was born in Tipton, on April 23, 1930, to Merle C. and Bessie E. Bauer. He graduated from Frankfort High School. Lester was a member of East Side Christian Church in Frankfort.

Lester enlisted in the United States Army on November 9, 1948. He was assigned to I Company, 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army Korea. Corporal Bauer was a member of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regimental Combat Team, when on July 27, 1950, he was reported missing in action following a fighting withdrawal from positions near Hadong, Republic of Korea.

He was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. His sacrifice is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.

In recognition of his service and valor, Corporal Bauer was awarded the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, United Nations Service Medal, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

In the summer of 1950, Cpl. Bauer was assigned to I Company, 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, 8th U.S. Army. He was reported missing in action on July 27 near the Hadong Pass, northwest Jinju, Republic of Korea. He was not reported as a prisoner of war and his remains were not recovered after the war. With no evidence of his continued survival, the U.S. Army issued a presumptive finding of death of Dec. 31, 1953.

Cpl Bauer is survived by his sister-in-law, Julia “Judy” (Zerr) Willits of Greenfield; great-nephew, Brad (Heather) Willits; great-niece, Mallory (Wisdom) Gakpo. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert E. Willits; and nephew, Timothy X. Willits.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, at 11 a.m. at Park Cemetery, 621 S. State Street, Greenfield.

Pastor David Woods will be officiating, and military honors will be rendered by active duty personnel. The public is invited to join at the cemetery to help honor Corporal Bauer’s sacrifice. The Greenfield Police Department announced that the escort for Cpl. Bauer will begin at Erlewein Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. Thursday and proceed to Park Cemetery.  Traffic along West Main Street will be affected during this time.  Community members are encouraged to show their appreciation to Cpl. Bauer as the procession passes or at the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to the Disabled American Veterans, 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY 41018 or Hancock County Veterans Park, P.O. Box 844, Greenfield, IN 46140. Friends may share a memory or condolence at www.erleweinmortuary.com .

Arrangements are being handled by Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory in Greenfield.