Korean War

Picture above: United States soldiers fighting to take the crest of a hill in September 1950. Photo Credit: David Douglas Duncan via NYT

Terriers in Korea

During the Korean War, Boston University’s students, faculty, and alumni answered the call to defend freedom, serving with distinction across the globe. From the frozen hills of Korea to the skies above, they served with unwavering courage, embodying the values of duty and sacrifice. Many gave their lives in the pursuit of victory, leaving behind a legacy of honor that continues to inspire future generations. Their commitment to service reflects the enduring spirit of Terriers—leaders dedicated to a just and free world.

15 members of the Boston University community gave their lives fighting in Korea—these are their names:

GEN = College of General Education
EX = Expected Graduation
CLA = College of Liberal Arts

CBA = College of Business Administration
EDU = School of Education
PUB = School of Public Relations

Name	Service	Rank	Hometown	State	Class Year
Collins, Kent H.	Air Force	LT	Newton	MA	BUS’52
Favorite, Lee H.	Air Force	2LT	Wollaston	MA	ex.LIB’50
Flaherty, John F.	Air Force	SSgt	Dorchester	MA	ex.GEN’49
Gourley, Robert J.	Army	SGT	Wakefield	MA	ex.BUS’52 / 53
Hazlett, Gerald M.	Navy	ENS	Walpole	MA	GEN’49
Hirtle, Stanley W.	Army	LTC	Malden	MA	LIB/26 / EDU’33
Inglis, Robert E.	Air Force	LT			BUS/52
Jones, Arthur O.	Army	2LT	West Newton	MA	EDU’50
Labadini, Joseph E.	Air Force	2LT	Cambridge	MA	ex.EDU’53
Madden Jr., William F.	Air Force	A2C	Hudson	MA	ex.GEN’51
McCarron, James J.	Navy	LT	Lowell	MA	GEN’49 / PUB’51
McIntyre, Theodore	Marine Corps	1stLt	East Boston	MA	EDU’51
Payne Jr., Hildreth L.	Air Force	LT	Boston	MA	PUB’49
Strout Jr., Clifford D.	Army	PFC	Cohasset	MA
Train Jr., John	Marine Corps	PFC	Somerville	MA	ex.LIB’55

Some of Boston University’s students, faculty, and alumni were also held as Prisoners of War (POW) or listed as Missing in Action (MIA) during the Korean War. Each of them conducted themselves with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and integrity during their service, and their sacrifice to a grateful nation is never forgotten.

At least 1 member of the Boston University community was listed as POW/MIA in the Korean War:

Name	Service	Rank	Hometown	State	Class Year
Murray, John R.	Air Force	COL (Ret.)	Brookline	MA	ex.BUS’49

Financial support from our alumni, friends, and family members helps to enrich the ROTC experience for all of our cadets and midshipmen. For example, donations help offset increasing costs for various activities, like training competitions and formal events (e.g., the annual military ball), so that our cadets and midshipmen can more readily participate.

You can donate to support our ROTC efforts at this Division of Military Education link. Thank you for helping prepare America’s future military leaders!

Air Force ROTC : Boston College, Brandeis University, Bridgewater State University, Emmanuel College, Northeastern University, Simmons University, Suffolk University, University of Massachusetts at Boston, & Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Army ROTC: Babson College, Bentley University, Brandeis University, Bridgewater State University, Curry College, Fisher College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Stonehill College, & University of Massachusetts at Boston. (In May 2024, the U.S. Army Cadet Command elevated the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to satellite status in our partnership, which means Army ROTC will be providing two cadre members who will be assigned full-time to the MMA campus at a future date.)

Navy/Marine Corps ROTC: Boston College & Northeastern University, with MIT, Harvard University, & Tufts University also falling under BU Navy/Marine Corps ROTC command, but with separate facilities.

"From the frozen hills of Korea to the skies above..."

Terriers in Korea