Perry Memorial Day ceremony recognizes two local MIAs who served in U.S. Army

May 29—A Memorial Day ceremony in Perry Village on May 29 paid tribute to two local soldiers who have been missing in action for many years.

People who attended the event got to learn more about Sgt. James Roger Bissell of Burton and Warrant Officer Dale Pearce of Mentor, who both served in the U.S. Army.

Bissell died of malnutrition on June 2, 1951, while being held as a prisoner of war in the Korean War. Pearce, who served in the Vietnam War, was killed on May 17, 1971, while, on duty as a co-pilot in a helicopter that was shot down by enemy forces.

The remains of Bissell and Pearce have never been recovered and returned to their families for burial.

"These are the stories of just two of the more than 200,000 American heroes who are missing in action," said Tom Anderson, commander of Perry American Legion Post 697.

Anderson presided over the ceremony, which was held on the grounds of the Perry Historical Society Museum at 3885 Main St.

Relatives of Bissell and Pearce attended the event, which began at about 11:40 a.m. after Perry's Memorial Day Parade. Bissell's niece, Bea Woidtke, and Pearce's sister, Georgene Pearce, each tolled a bell to honor the service of each soldier.

Anderson said that Perry American Legion Post 697 is seeking financial contributions to build a memorial for military service men and women who are missing in action.

The MIA Memorial will be located in Center Road Cemetery in Perry Township. It will consist of a 50-inch tall monument, an American flagpole, a 4-foot granite bench and, eventually, engraved paver bricks which can be purchased to honor MIAs.

"The monument has been ordered, and we are expecting delivery at the end of this year or early 2024," he said.

Post 697 set up collection canisters at the ceremony in hope of securing financial donations needed to cover the cost of the memorial.

"We need your support to build a fitting memorial that expresses our gratitude to these American heroes," Anderson said.

The post commander capsulized the bravery and patriotism displayed by Bissell and Pearce before they made ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States.

Bissell was captured on Dec. 6, 1950, during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.

"After being captured, he and other POWs were marched to a temporary holding camp, and later to another camp, and held until sometime in early 1951," Anderson said. "Many of the POWs in his group were suffering from wounds and frostbite, and based on reports from other POWs, Sgt. Bissell suffered from a severe leg wound."

The group of POWs were then marched north to another camp, where Bissell died.

Anderson said Bissell's fate demonstrates how MIAs are often forgotten.

"As is common among MIAs, Sgt. Bissell received no military ceremony at Dover Air Base, no casket upon which to drape an American flag, no procession to his hometown of Burton, Ohio, no news media, no funeral, no military honors and there is no American flag flying over final resting place today," Anderson said.

Pearce, who graduated from Mentor High School in 1969, enlisted in the Army, completed basic training and graduated from flight school in late 1970, Anderson said.

On May 17, 1971, Pearce's assault helicopter battalion unit was called out to extract a reconnaissance team under heavy attack in the Quang Tri province of Vietnam. Pierce was co-pilot of the helicopter.

The helicopter came under intense fire over the landing zone, and was shot down, killing Pierce and the pilot.

Pearce's parents arranged for a gravesite in his memory at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio

"His remains are scattered in the jungles of a land on the other side of the world," Anderson said. "There is no American flag flying over his final resting place."

After bells were tolled in memory of both Bissell and Pearce, Anderson thanked each soldier for "honorable and enduring service to our country."

Anderson also asked audience members to not forget Bissell and Pearce at the end of the ceremony.

"As the sun rises tomorrow and you start your day, I ask you to reflect on the sacrifice and untold memories of Sgt. Bissell and Warrant Officer Pearce, as night settles in over their final resting place," he said "May they rest in peace."