Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Army Cpl. Francis J. Rochon
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin will be flown at half-staff on July 25, 2020, in honor a recently identified Korean War Soldier whose remains have been returned to Wisconsin for burial.
Army Cpl. Francis J. Rochon of Superior will be buried with full military honors on Saturday, July 25, in Foxboro, Wisconsin, after the Department of Defense positively identified his remains 70 years after his death.
“This is a great yet somber day,” said Gov. Evers. “We humbly remember Cpl. Rochon’s brave sacrifice to our nation and offer our condolences to his family as they now find closure after so many years and lay Cpl. Rochon to rest eternally in his home state and community.”
Rochon was a member of the 2nd Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Sept. 1, 1950, after fierce fighting near Changnyeong, South Korea. The Army officially declared Rochon deceased on Dec. 31, 1953, and declared his remains non-recoverable Jan. 16, 1956.
Rochon’s unidentified remains were buried at a cemetery in South Korea in January 1951 and reinterred in 1956 to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu. He was disinterred in 2018 for possible identification by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.
To identify Rochon’s remains, scientists from DPAA used anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Rochon will be buried at Summit Cemetery in Foxboro. His military awards include the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Executive Order #81 is available here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Gov. Tony Evers
Gov. Evers, WisDOT Announce $14 Million in Latest Round of Grants for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Across the State
Nov 17th, 2025 by Gov. Tony EversNEVI program funding continues after successful multi-state lawsuit against Trump Administration
Gov. Evers Delivers Weekly Radio Address on Restoring FoodShare Funding for Nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites
Nov 14th, 2025 by Gov. Tony EversWill Stay Out of Governor’s Race and Retain Role of Being Fair Arbitrator Among Primary Candidates
Gov. Evers, DCF Launch New Online Tools to Make Navigating Child Care Licensure and Regulation Process Faster and Easier
Nov 13th, 2025 by Gov. Tony EversModernizations to licensing and certification process make state government more efficient, cutting licensing processing time nearly in half
