Private First Class Kigar was a medic with E Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while tending his wounded comrades at "Pork Chop Hill" in North Korea on July 8, 1953. His remains were not recovered.

Bronze Star with V device
Purple Heart
Combat Medical Badge
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Korea War Service Medal

VIRGIL JUNIOR KIGAR
Private First Class, United States Army
Personal Information: PFC Virgil Junior Kigar, RA-152270884, E Company of 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Killed in Action on 8 July 1953. Born 16 December 1931. Home of Record Henry County, Ohio. Does not appear on " Johnny Johnson List " or in " missing in Action. Captivity " report compiled from returning POWs.
Circumstances of Loss: PFC Kigar became missing during the last Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) offensive in the Pork Chop Hill sector. which the 17th Infantry Regiment was occupying. As of the signing of the armistice agreement became imminent, the CCF made an all-out offensive effort to gain additional border territory. During the month of July over 70,000 CCF and North Korean personnel became war casualties in that effort. The 17th Infantry Regiment was heavily engaged from July 4th onwards, when its company-sized outposts came under intense fire around Pork Chop Hill ( map reference CT 268337) in the western DMZ area. Patrols and raiding parties attempted to develop the situation, but were met with even heavier fire from well dug-in enemy forces. Mortar and artillery duels became general. limiting movements above ground level to be most essential. Th engagement wore on hour by hour.
On July 6th at 10 p.m., following intense artillery barrage, the Chinese attacked with two battalions and overran 17th Infantry Regiment's outpost on Pork Chop Hill. The regiment quickly reinforced the defenders with to additional companies. During the night of July 7th and 8th , the regiment launched a counter-attack, which achieved limited success. PFC Kigar was lost during the course of this fighting. The Chinese rained down artillery and mortar fire at the rate of one pound per second in response. The following evening the Chinese struck again, and the 7th Division counter-attacked: but, despite a very large casualty rate , the Chinese continued to press their attack. On July 10th , three generals, Taylor the Eighth Army Commander, Clark the Corp Commander. and Trudeau 7th Division Commander, met they determined that the Chinese disregard for casualties and their steadfast desire to hold the outpost outweighed any tactical value of retaining the position. Therefore, they decided to withdrawal from Pork Chop Hill. As reported in the field search case, many personnel lost in action during the four days of intense fighting for possession of the outpost could not be recovered.
Other Comments: In an effort to achieve a full accounting of the missing U.S. service men, DPMO has negotiated with the Government of North Korea for access to to crash sites, battlefields, and prison camp cemeteries. We have also gained access to their National Liberation Museum and National Library – no references to PFC Kigar here. DPMO excavations in North Korea . 1996 and 1999, have resulted in the recovery of 42 remains of U.S. servicemen. That effort continues. Meanwhile, as we seek further information about the loss of PFC Kigar, we will forward new discoveries to the family members through the U.S. Army Casualty Office.