Obituary for Cpl. Donald Louis Menken
Cpl. Donald (Donnie) Louis Menken, was born March 2, 1932, in Neon, Kentucky, son of Laurentius "Louis" Menken and Lola Godsey Menken Barbe. Donnie was killed in the battle at Outpost Harry during the Korean War on June 10, 1953.
Donnie was a lively young boy with long, blonde curls and was adored by his parents and sisters. Donnie was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He loved his family and made sure they all knew it. He was full of life, loved music and played the coronet, his favorite song was "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White". He loved his old blue Plymouth that he washed daily in the creek and Zero candy bars, always careful to break it perfectly in half to share with his young nephew.
He attended Whitesburg High School and enlisted in the United States Army on June 18, 1952, where he served in the Company K, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division during the most intense days of the Korean War. On the night of June 10, 1953 the Chinese Army attacked Outpost Harry, Donnie was on the "Listening Post" on the north east finger of the outpost. Company K was told to "hold at all costs", Donnie fought all night and died of his wounds. The men that served with him deemed him a hero and one of the bravest men in the Korean conflict. He could not be located and was reported MIA on June 11, 1953. On February 2, 2022, Donnie's family was notified that his remains had been identified.
Donnie is preceded in death by his parents and sister Wilma Menken Howard. He is survived by his loving sister Marie Menken Hinerman, nephew Fulton Combs and niece Teresa Combs.
Services will be held in Whitesburg on May 14, 2022, at 1:00 PM First Baptist Church, interment following at Green Acres Cemetery. Donnie will be laid to rest next to his beloved parents with full military honors.
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Donnie was a lively young boy with long, blonde curls and was adored by his parents and sisters. Donnie was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He loved his family and made sure they all knew it. He was full of life, loved music and played the coronet, his favorite song was "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White". He loved his old blue Plymouth that he washed daily in the creek and Zero candy bars, always careful to break it perfectly in half to share with his young nephew.
He attended Whitesburg High School and enlisted in the United States Army on June 18, 1952, where he served in the Company K, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division during the most intense days of the Korean War. On the night of June 10, 1953 the Chinese Army attacked Outpost Harry, Donnie was on the "Listening Post" on the north east finger of the outpost. Company K was told to "hold at all costs", Donnie fought all night and died of his wounds. The men that served with him deemed him a hero and one of the bravest men in the Korean conflict. He could not be located and was reported MIA on June 11, 1953. On February 2, 2022, Donnie's family was notified that his remains had been identified.
Donnie is preceded in death by his parents and sister Wilma Menken Howard. He is survived by his loving sister Marie Menken Hinerman, nephew Fulton Combs and niece Teresa Combs.
Services will be held in Whitesburg on May 14, 2022, at 1:00 PM First Baptist Church, interment following at Green Acres Cemetery. Donnie will be laid to rest next to his beloved parents with full military honors.
To plant a tree in memory of Cpl. Donald Louis Menken, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
14
May
11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
First Baptist Church
170 Madison Avenue
Whitesburg, KY 41858
Service
Saturday
14
May
1:00 PM
First Baptist Church
170 Madison Avenue
Whitesburg, KY 41858
Cemetery Details
Location
Green Acres Cemetery
Ermine, KY
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