Last Updated on October 17, 2021 by Fisher Funeral Chapel
“Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”
-General John J. Pershing
U.S. Army Sergeant Stanley Lee Dewitt, age 18, of Royal Center, Indiana, was a medic with the Medical Detachment 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. He was listed as Missing in Action while tending to his wounded comrades near the Chosin Reservoir in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) on December 6, 1950. He was presumed dead on December 31, 1953. His remains were accounted for on June 5, 2020. On October 23, 2021, Sgt. DeWitt will be laid to rest near his parents and siblings in the Royal Center Cemetery – nearly 71 years after his death.
On January 4, 1932, in Royal Center, Stanley Lee Dewitt was the third child born to the late George Raymond DeWitt (1898-1980) and Hazel Katherine (Crail) DeWitt (1908-1997). He was greeted by his older siblings Betty Jean (DeWitt) Reynolds (1928-1989) and Raymond Leon DeWitt ((1930 – 2015). As more children were born, Stanley became the beloved older brother of Don Robert DeWitt (1933-1979), Charles Kenneth DeWitt (1934-2018), Donna DeWitt Pugh (1935-2015) and Walter Charles DeWitt (1938-2020).
As one of seven stair-step children born during the Depression, Stanley became a caring, resourceful and much-loved member of the DeWitt household. He was wise beyond his years as he had to grow up fast and assumed much responsibility. A Royal Center “Bulldog,” Stanley excelled in basketball and track. He was proud to be a Royal Center High School graduate.
Stanley enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 17, 1949 and began basic training at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky and later transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington. He completed his basic training on April 2, 1949. Stanley came home in July of that year for a 26-day furlough before embarking for Japan and later being sent to Korea in August of 1950. Little did anyone know then, that was the last time Stanley would be with his family and friends.
From November 28 to December 2, 1950, while he was a member of a medical attachment near Chosin Reservoir in enemy territory, he distinguished himself by heroic actions. An article in the 1950 edition of the Pharos Tribune states, “During this period, elements of a field artillery battalion were attacked and surrounded by a numerically superior enemy forces but Sgt. DeWitt performed his duties efficiently and courageously despite many handicaps. With complete disregard for his own safety, he exposed himself repeatedly to render first aid to the wounded. While in full view of the enemy and exposed to small arms fire, he removed the wounded to a private house to protect them from the sub-zero weather. He inspired renewed confidence to the wounded and helped minimize the effect of the enemy action on the casualties. Sgt. DeWitt’s heroic action during this period reflects great credit on himself and the military service.”
The Department of Defense records the date of loss as December 6, 1950 although his remains were unable to be recovered. DeWitt was a corporal during the war but with the findings regarding the circumstance of his death, he was promoted to sergeant. On January 3, 1951, his family was notified, via telegram, that Stanley was missing in action. Royal Center classmates of his younger sister, Donna, still recall the high school principal coming to her classroom to share the sad news.
In 2001, two of Stanley’s brothers submitted his Army photo to Fisher Funeral Chapel for a Korean War Veterans Tribute Video to be shown at the “Night at the USO” event. It is the only Army photograph known of Stanley. As the brothers waited for his picture to be scanned, the Fisher’s printed an article from the Casualty Service office encouraging the family members of all MIA’s to submit a DNA sample. Stanley’s brothers submitted their DNA to the Army shortly afterwards. And they waited. And waited. And waited…until there were none. The last of the DeWitt siblings, Walter, died in 2020.
In 2018, U.S. President Donald J. Trump and D.P.R.K. (North Korea) Chairman Kim Jong-Un conducted a summit meeting in Singapore. Chairman Kim promised to repatriate American remains and turned over 55 boxes that were said to contain the remains of American service members killed in the Korean War. The remains were then transferred to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) laboratory in Hawaii for identification purposes. Scientists used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence to identify Stanley’s remains. Other scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis. In layman’s terms, the 54th box to be opened matched the DNA provided 20-years ago by the DeWitt brothers. Sgt. Stanley DeWitt was officially accounted for on June 5, 2020.
Sgt. DeWitt is survived by one brother-in-law, Don Pugh; one sister-in-law, Bobbie DeWitt; and several nieces and nephews, including Jerry Reynolds, who is assisting the U.S. Army in finalizing the funeral arrangements.
A Dignified Transfer of Remains Ceremony will be held at the Indianapolis International at 1:26 p.m. Tuesday, October 19, 2021. Current protocol will allow 12-15 family members will take part in the airport ceremony. They will be able to follow in procession as his casketed remains are brought from Indianapolis to Logansport via St. Road 29/U.S. 421 N. (Burlington Ave.) east on Market through downtown then north on 6th Street and Michigan Avenue to Fisher Funeral Chapel. The approximate time of arrival in downtown Logansport will be 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday. The community is encouraged to participate as we bring Sgt. DeWitt home. (Please note – this is a change in our previous instructions when it was expected to be an evening flight.)
During a private family service, U.S. medals will be posthumously awarded to Sgt. DeWitt include Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Medical Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
A Funeral Service paying tribute to the life of Sgt. Stanley Lee DeWitt will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 23, 2021, in Fisher Funeral Chapel, 1801 Chase Road, Logansport, Indiana. Rev. Carolyn DeWitt (whose husband, Wendell, was just ten-years-old when his cousin Stanley went missing in action) will officiate at the service.
A public visitation will take place from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral chapel on Oct. 23rd.
Following the service, the funeral procession will travel through downtown Logansport via Chase Road to Michigan Avenue to 6th Street then west on Broadway to West Market Street where the procession will eventually head north on U.S. Hwy. 35 towards the Royal Center Cemetery.
Full military honors will be accorded by the U.S. Army. The Cass County Honor Guard will assist as the Color Guard. The Indiana Patriot Guard will provide a flag display and motorcycle escort to the cemetery.
The public is encouraged to line the procession route on Saturday, Oct. 23rd, with a patriotic show of support as we bring this hero home to his place of rest.
You may share memories, any photos of Stanley (which would be cherished and greatly appreciated) and offer condolences on Sgt. DeWitt’s Tribute Wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com