Lt. Robert Elwell, hero of Korean War, killed in National Guard training in 1963

<p>Courtesy/Linda Pettigrew</p><p>Newspapers reported in 1951 that Robert Elwell was believed to have been the youngest master sergeant in the U.S. Army at only 18 years of age.</p>

Courtesy/Linda Pettigrew

Newspapers reported in 1951 that Robert Elwell was believed to have been the youngest master sergeant in the U.S. Army at only 18 years of age.

In 1963, Linda Pettigrew had only recently turned 5 years old when notice was received her father had been killed while serving in the Missouri National Guard.

A mere 30 years old, he had already served in the Korean War, earned a Purple Heart and once held the distinction of being the youngest master sergeant in the U.S. Army.

Decades later, Pettigrew and her family strive to ensure the legacy of his service does not silently fade with the passage of time.

Robert D. Elwell was born Jan. 14, 1933, in the community of Knob Knoster. He went on to graduate from College High School in Warrensburg before making the decision to enlist in the U.S. Army in July 1950, the month following the start of the Korean War.

"I have to think one of the reasons my father chose to enlist in the Army was because my grandfather, Cecil Elwell, served in the Army in World War I," Linda Pettigrew said. "Also, my three uncles - his older brothers - served in the Army in World War II."

The 17-year-old traveled to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he completed several weeks of basic combat training before quickly being cast into the cauldron of combat raging overseas.

"Sent to Korea in November 1950, Elwell was assigned to (Company B of) the 7th Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division," reported the Kansas City Times on Oct. 12, 1951. "He started out as a B.A.R. (Browning Automatic Rifle) man, later became assistant squad leader and finally platoon sergeant," the newspaper further noted.

The young soldier revealed a glimmer of his Missouri-born mettle June 7, 1951, when he was wounded in action near Chu Ni and later received a Purple Heart. On the same date, his actions earned him a Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement.

Sgt. 1st Class Elwell was "attacking a series of well-defended enemy emplacements on Hill 687, (when) the advance of the assault platoons was halted by intense enemy small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire," explained the official award citation.

"Realizing the danger of remaining in the barrage, Sgt. Elwell, quickly deciding to continue the assault, led his platoon forward. Although painfully wounded almost immediately, he refused medical aid and repeatedly exposed himself in order to direct the fire and movement of his unit."

Returning stateside in August 1951, Elwell was assigned to the 506th Military Police Company at Fort Leonard Wood. Newspapers nationwide shared his story, noting he had earned the distinction of being the youngest master sergeant in the Army at only 18 years of age.

Master Sgt. Elwell was transferred to Fort Riley, Kansas, and in September 1954, married the former Mary Vaughan. The couple later settled in Warrensburg, welcoming two daughters in the coming years. Elwell left active duty to earn his education and went on to graduate with his bachelor's degree from Central Missouri State College.

He continued his military service by enlisting in the Missouri National Guard. His education and experience as a senior non-commissioned officer earned him appointment to the officer ranks, becoming a first lieutenant with the 35th Administration Company in Sedalia. Full-time, he was employed as a repairman with the Gas Service Company in Warrensburg.

In 1955, Lt. Elwell was reassigned to the 635th Aviation Company of the Missouri National Guard located in Warrensburg, with whom he was serving when tragic circumstances developed.

"MISSOURI GUARD PLANE CRASHES; 2 OFFICERS DEAD," the headline of an article appearing in the St. Louis-Post Dispatch boldly proclaimed Aug. 6, 1963.

An article appearing in the Warrensburg Star Journal on the same date explained Lt. Milo Hutton had been piloting an L-19 single-engine airplane during an artillery training mission at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. Lt. Elwell was also aboard the plane, performing the role of observer.

"The light plane, used in strafing maneuvers, crashed in a troop training area ," the Journal reported. "The weather was good and no cause for the crash can be determined. The wreckage burned."

A soldier training in the area was able to rush to the crash site and extract Elwell from amidst the smoldering debris, but the young lieutenant died in an ambulance while being rushed to the hospital. It is believed that the pilot, Lt. Hutton, did not survive the initial impact of the crash.

Funeral services for the 30-year-old Elwell were held at the Christian Church followed by his internment in Warrensburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Linda said her younger sister was only 3 years old and herself only 5 when their father died. She affirmed although she grew up without her father's wisdom and guidance, she has been blessed with a handful of lasting memories.

"My father was a man of high moral standards and strong faith, and my mother feels that what he saw - and probably had to do - in a time of war was extremely difficult for him," she said. "He never shared with my mother about his service and would never speak much about it."

She added, "At a very early age, he instilled in me a strong faith in Jesus, a very strong sense of family and a love for my country," Pettigrew said. "I am very proud of the man my father was and this is evident from his service record and his character, which has been shared with me by family and friends."

Jeremy P. Amick writes on behalf of the Silver Star Families of America