Fairborn man killed in Korean War finally laid to rest, family ‘relieved’

FAIRBORN — It took more than seven decades but a Fairborn man who fought and died in the Korean War was finally laid to rest Saturday.

Seventy-two years ago Chauncey William Sharp was sent off to war under false pretenses.

“He lied about his age, he also lied about his name,” Doug Hopkins, Sharp’s nephew-in-law said.

Known in battle as “William James Sharp” the 17-year-old fought for the first month of the war before he was killed by the North Korean military.

“Two men came to the door and told me about it,” Sharp’s sister Betty Foust recalled, “I just couldn’t believe it, very sad day.”

Sharp’s remains were not recoverable, his sister said, which made the loss even harder for the family as they could not have a proper burial for him.

His family was left with unanswered questions about what happened to him at such a young age.

“I wonder what kind of man he would be if he had a family,” Foust said.

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But after decades of wondering Sharp’s family received a piece to the puzzle.

His remains were re-examined with DNA analysis to confirm they belong to him.

His family could finally start making plans to pay their respects all these years later.

“We’re really happy and relieved that he’s finally home,” Hopkins said.

Foust was able to say goodbye to her older brother but still doesn’t understand his decision to leave.

Sharp’s family can now visit him, as well as his brother, at the Dayton National Cemetery.

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