William Howard Gunter listed Bremen as his hometown when he enlisted with the United States Marine Corp. He served in the Korean War and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
The 1st Battalion, 7th Marines were called into action on September 21, 1950. The official website of the Marines states they, “made an amphibious landing at Inchon, Korea. Once more the ‘First Team’ distinguished themselves in the battle as they took part in operations such as HOOK, RENO and VEGAS, as well as fighting their way to and from the Chosin Reservoir.”
Although Gunter is not specifically named, a command diary entry by the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines to Headquarters for the September 23, 1952 reads:
“One (1) night combat patrol, three (3) night reconnaissance patrols, one (1) sniper patrol, one (1) night reconnaissance/ambush patrol, one (1) security patrol for a wire team and one (1) rear area patrol were conducted. Company “A” combat control established contact vicinity CT85093, resulting in eight (8) enemy KIA, one (1) friendly MIA and twelve (12) friendly WIA. Upon return of this patrol one (1) squad Company “A” departed to search for MIA, enemy sniper fired on the squad, resulting in one (1) friendly KIA. Company “C” sniper patrol had not returned at close of period. All other patrols reported negative results. All listening posts reported negative enemy activity.”
Gunter was listed as killed in action on September 23, 1952. An article about his death was reported in the Daily Mountain Eagle which reads:
William H. Gunter Killed in Korea
One of four brothers in the Marines was recently killed in Korea after serving with the Marines for five years.
The deceased is William Howard Gunter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben F. Gunter of Bremen. The three other brothers are Melvin, James and Talmadge.
Funeral services were held November 19 at Rice’s Chapel Church.
William Gunter received the Purple Heart and is memorialized at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington and is buried at Rice’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Sipsey, Alabama.
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