Petty Officer John Bagale served as a Hospital Corpsman with the United States Navy. Bagale met his wife Martha ( a Mathews native) while both were stationed for active duty at Great Lakes Naval Base. Bagale was part of the Inchon invasion in September 1950(here he received the Purple Heart for wounds received during the battle). In December 1950 Bagale took part in the Hungnam retreat(here he received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal for giving aid and comfort to the wounded under fire). On May 17, 1951 Bagale was killed in action while giving aid to the wounded and dying. He was scheduled to return home on June 4th.