Local soldier's remains found nearly 60 years after his death in Korea

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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Dinerboiler Remains Returned

Milton Dinerboiler's name has been placed on a display at the VFW Hall in Elkhart. Dinerboiler's remains are being returned 57 years after he died in Korea. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

ELKHART — The remains of a local soldier who disappeared in action 57 years ago have been found. Enemy forces captured Milton Dinerboiler, Jr. of Elkhart during the Korean War.

Until a few months ago, his two surviving cousins thought they'd never find out what happened. Now, they have some closure in a family of soldiers.

The Dinerboilers have lived in the South Bend area since the late 1800s. They worked at the Singer plant, attended school in Elkhart, and served in every war since the Revolutionary War.

Now, pictures and entries in the family book are all that's left of the Dinerboilers.

Robert Mann only remembers his cousin, Milton Dinerboiler, Jr., as a child.

"He was a pretty decent kid. I don't know of any trouble that he got in," said Mann.

He doesn't have pictures of his cousin. They lost contact until Mann received a telegram in 1950 that Dinerboiler had died in Korea.

"It was just one of those wars where a lot of young men were lost," said Mann. "Back then you lost track of your people."

Dinerboiler was captured the same December day in 1950 that the Elkhart Truth reported on a possible evacuation plan in North Korea.

Dinerboiler died four months later of malnutrition, but Mann didn't learn that his remains were found until recently.

"All that you can hope is that some day his remains are found, and there were. It's just too bad he doesn't have any other family," said Mann.

WSBT News couldn't find any newspaper articles about Dinerboiler's capture or disappearance. He appears gone and almost forgotten.

But one local organization is making sure that doesn't happen. Dinerboiler's name is on the wall at the VFW 88 with other Elkhart men who served in Korea.

"That's why the veterans organization is here. If no one is here, we can honor them," said Richard Harrington, a member of VFW 88.

Mann says it has brought him closure but he still has one wish: "I would like for them to find them all," he said.

Dinerboiler will be buried alongside family with full military honors.

Tuesday, Jun 10 at 9:15 PM Stan wrote ...

Patriot wrote "let us see some good and be thankful to god that we have not been losing as many lives at the rate that were lost in any of our previous wars. We ARE winning and we will be victorious." That attitude is what let us get into a war we shouldn't be in and will keep us there while more people die.

Thursday, Jun 5 at 5:19 PM A Patriot wrote ...

To all those who are protesting and criticizing the current war and adminstration: while every life is precious, let us see some good and be thankful to god that we have not been losing as many lives at the rate that were lost in any of our previous wars. We ARE winning and we will be victorious. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Thursday, Jun 5 at 1:22 PM Anonymous wrote ...

WOW!

Thursday, Jun 5 at 11:58 AM Thank you! wrote ...

This article brought tears to my eyes, I am happy he is home where he belongs. Thank goodness for the V.F.W. honoring him! We need to get them all home!

Thursday, Jun 5 at 11:50 AM Bill wrote ...

It's great to see these heros coming home, but in reality, they have been home with friends and family in their hearts and in Heaven for years. God Bless all of our military heros.

Thursday, Jun 5 at 11:27 AM American Pride wrote ...

Thank God for bringing another boy home.

Thursday, Jun 5 at 9:12 AM Cathy Jo (Phillips) Bryant wrote ...

I am happy to hear that Milton Dinerboiler is coming home at last. My uncle, Sgt. Virgil Lee Phillips was brought home and buried by his only son on April 18, 2008. I never thought I would ever see that day. All of his brothers and parents had already passed on, but he still has many Korean War Veteran brothers and me and my family that will never let him or all the others be forgotten.

Thursday, Jun 5 at 5:01 AM Anonymous wrote ...

wow i still see elkhart, and theyre people are still doing there thang to help each other though i moved frm elkhart in january 2008 and am now livingin bronx, ny. i still wanna know what elkhart isup to which i lived there in southbend most a my life then 4 yrs ago i moved to elkhart. thanks , jodie harwood

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