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Last Name: ` SHARP	First Name Middle Initial: MAURICE S		Nick Name: Mo
Street: 9716 - 54 ST CT W	City & State: UNIVERSITY PLACE, WA		E-Mail: Sharp1955@Juno.com
Zip: 98467-1118	Phone: (253) 565-0444		Spouse: BONNIE
Conflict: KOREA	Service Branch: ARMY		Unit: K CO. 180 REGT. 45 INF. DIV.
Theater: ETO	Where Captured: Christmas Hill		Date Captured: 07/14/53
Camps Held In: 5			How Long Interned: 44 days
liberated / repatriated: Repatriated	Date Liberated: 08/27/53		Age at Capture: 20
Medals Received: Combat Infantry Bacge, Bronze Star with Valor device, Prisoner of War and various other service medals and awards
Military Job: Infantry 1st Sargent		Company: Career Army
Occupation after War: Retired

Military Bio:

Being a native of Missouri, I was inducted into the Army on October 1, 1952 at Kansas City, Missouri.

After completion of Infantry Basic Training, I was ordered to Korea where I was assigned to a rifle company of the 45th Infantry Division. While a member of this unit and engaging enemy forces, our positions were overrun and as a result I became a prisoner of the Chinese/Korean forces and held in various camps in North Korea until the war ended. I was then repatriated and hospitalized at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado. Upon my release I was returned to active duty. I continued my Army career of more than 22 years without a break in service, retiring as 1st Sgt.

During my active military career, my assignments were extensive in the area of administrative and personnel management such as operations, training, supply, logistics, instructor of ROTC and regular Army personnel. I served two tours in Vietnam as a Quartermaster Battalion Maintenance Sgt.

I have been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with Valor device, Prisoner of War medal and various other military decorations and awards.

I am a member of the Washington State Veterans Legislative Coalition, a Life Member of the Ex-POW National Organization and member of the Tacoma Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War.

I was elected and served two consecutive years as Chapter Commander of the Tacoma Chapter of Ex-POW’s. I am now serving a two-year term as Washington State Jr. Vice Commander, as well as serving a two-year term as Northwest National Director of the American Ex-Prisoners of War.

My wife, Bonnie, and I live in University Place, Washington near our four married children, Dixie, Kenneth, Roxie and James and their families.