Fallen Hero CPL Eugene T. House, US Army” title=

CPL Eugene T. House

September 21, 1931 - August 13, 1950
U.S. Army

Eugene House is the first Korean War Hero that I have painted. He was KIA in 1950 at the age of 19. He would be close to ninety now. I have had the pleasure of meeting and talking with his sister, Jeanette Miller, a delightful lady who wrote the following bio about her brother:

“Our family called him Gene and many of his friends called him Curly or Whitey because he had blonde curly hair. Gene was born on Sept. 21, 1931 in Bradford, IL. He was the third child of Ted and Ethyl House. He had four siblings. He moved with his family to Minnesota in the early 1940’s and attended school in Minneapolis for a couple years. Then the family moved to Austin, MN where he attended high school. He liked sports and played basketball and baseball for fun. He also did some boxing at the Austin Armory in his teen years.

He entered the Army on July 12, 1947. After basic training he was sent to Japan and was there until the Korean War started. He was with the 7th cavalry and they were among the first troops sent to Korea to fight. We had a friend in Japan at the same time as Gene and he wrote a letter to our family about how difficult it was for our troops at the front lines. We didn’t have enough tanks, equipment, or ground troops and the Russians were supplying the North Koreans just over the Manchurian Border, and our Army was taking a beating.

Gene was killed on August 13, 1950. He was just 19 years old. A memorial service for him was held at the Baptist Church in Austin, MN. on Sept. 23, 1950. His body was returned to the States in October of 1951 and a burial service was held at Fort Snelling Cemetery in the Twin Cities. Gene was a kind and caring son and brother. He is always in our hearts.”

It was my honor to paint Eugene. We are indebted to him, his fellow Korean War Heroes, and all of their families for their supreme sacrifices. May these Heroes always be remembered.

Portrait sponsored by:
Sponsors: Terry and Carol Kiefer, Adams, MN and Dean and Emily Kiefer, Stacyville, IA