Private First Class Eugene Raymond Rausch of Hoven, SD, was killed in action at Chupari, North Korea on October 15, 1951.

On February 1, 1927, Eugene Raymond Rausch was born the oldest of 7 boys & 3 girls to William Peter & Alice Eleanor (Meskel) Rausch of Hoven, SD. After graduating from Hoven High School, Eugene engaged in farming and livestock raising with his father on the farm near Hoven. He attended St. Anthony's Catholic Church and sang in the choir. He was also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and 4-H club leader.

Eugene was inducted into the army at Sioux Falls, S.D., on November 16, 1950. He was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas, for basic training, and then went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for advanced training. While home on furlough he married Pauline Deis at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at Onaka, S.D., on March 25, 1951. The only time of the marriage that they were together was during their honeymoon in the Black Hills. Pfc. Rausch was shipped to Korea on May 1, 1951. Rausch was a member of Company D, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. Private First Class Eugene Raymond Rausch was killed in action at Chupari, North Korea, on October 15, 1951. Pfc. Rausch was carrying a heavy radio pack, as he was one of the radio operators for the company commander and executive officer. He and his group were to establish a command outpost for the company commander. While they were moving near the enemy, they came under heavy artillery and mortar fire. As the enemy took the first shot, Eugene’s group missed it by diving to the ground. Then another round came screaming in, and the shrapnel killed him instantly. He was only 24 years old, and 2 weeks away from his tour ending.

Survivors in addition to his wife and parents include five brothers - Duane, Harlan, Darrel, Vernon, Gerald; and three sisters - Eleanor, Charlyn, and Renee. A baby brother Virgil Leo Rausch preceded him in death .

His body was returned to the United States aboard the Marquette Victory and arrived in San Francisco in Feb. of 1952. His funeral was held Feb. 16, 1952 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Hoven, SD, and he is buried in the church cemetery there.

His wife's brother, Fr. Mike Deis, officiated. Pall bearers were his brothers-in-law Cpl. Andrew Deis, Math Deis, & Harold Simon; and his cousins Cpl. Joseph Rausch, Walter Rausch, & Albert Hericks. Another cousin, Dennis Rausch, served as cross bearer. Honorary pallbearers were Francis, Harold, and Richard Rausch, Homer Brehmer, Tony Wahle, & Norbert Hericks, all cousins of the deceased.

Sgt. Charles Pond of the US Army escorted the remains to Hoven from California. Full military honors were accorded by the Hoven Legion post. Members of Legion posts in neighboring towns also took part. Father Francis Dillon of Gettysburg, SD, state chaplain of the American Legion, presented the flag at the graveside to his widow.

Private First Class Rausch was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korean War Service Medal.