Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #238 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Sept. 7, 2024, in honor of U.S. Army Corporal Robert P. Raess, who lost his life in the Korean War and whose remains have been identified and returned to Wisconsin for burial.

“Corporal Robert Raess made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the values and freedoms we hold dear, and his bravery, service, and selflessness will not be forgotten,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m glad that after over 70 years, Corporal Raess will return home to Dodgeville and be laid to rest surrounded by his loved ones.”

A native of Dodgeville, Corporal Raess was a member of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. On Sept. 1, 1950, Corporal Raess was reported missing in action near Changnyeong, South Korea, and was officially declared deceased on Dec. 31, 1953. In 1951, the Army recovered remains from 12 smaller military cemeteries in the area where Corporal Raess was last seen and temporarily interred them at the United Nations Military Cemetery in Tanggok, South Korea, and in 1956, they were buried as unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. Corporal Raess’ remains were positively identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency on March 26, 2024.

Corporal Raess will be buried on Sat., Sept. 7, 2024, in Dodgeville.

Executive Order #238 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Sat., Sept. 7, 2024.