Korean War
![](/sites/default/files/korea.png)
Service # | O-1295462 |
---|---|
Unit | L CO 9 INF 2 DIV |
Rank | Major U.S. Army |
Entered Service From | North Carolina |
Date of Death | December 10 1950 |
Status | Missing In Action |
Memorialized |
Courts of the Missing
Court
8
Honolulu Memorial |
![](/sites/default/files/bronze%20star-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/bronze%20star-medal.png)
Bronze Star
![](/sites/default/files/combat%20infantryman%20badge-ribbon.png)
Combat Infantryman Badge
![](/sites/default/files/korean%20service%20medal-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/korean%20service%20medal-medal.png)
Korean Service Medal
![](/sites/default/files/national%20defense%20service%20medal-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/national%20defense%20service%20medal-medal.png)
National Defense Service Medal
![](/sites/default/files/purple%20heart-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/purple%20heart-medal.png)
Purple Heart
![](/sites/default/files/republic%20of%20korea%20presidential%20unit%20citation-ribbon.png)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
![](/sites/default/files/republic%20of%20korea%20war%20service%20medal-ribbon.png)
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
![](/sites/default/files/silver%20star-ribbon.png)
![](/sites/default/files/silver%20star-medal.png)
Silver Star
![](/sites/default/files/united%20nations%20service%20medal-ribbon.png)
United Nations Service Medal
For his leadership and valor, Major Vails was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
Notes
Major Vails was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was seriously Wounded in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on November 25, 1950 and died of those wounds on December 10, 1950. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.