Claiborne Field King Jr

Private First Class Clairborne Field King Jr died on May 11, 1952 in a drowning accident near Munich, Germany while on active duty with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  He was 20 years old.

Claiborne Field King was born on July 30, 1931 in Vance County, North Carolina, the son of Claiborne Field King Sr and Sarah Isabell King. 

PFC King enlisted in the U.S. Army on October 2, 1950 and trained first at Fort Jackson, S.C. and later at Camp Pickett, Virginia.  He was deployed to Germany on October 22, 1951 serving with the Service Company of the 172nd Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. 

PFC King accidentally slipped into the Amper Canal near Munich, Germany and drowned.

Private First Class Claiborne Field King Jr. is buried in Sunset Memorial Garden, Henderson, North Carolina. 

Last edited: 31 May 2026