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Remember...Daniel Dee Cunningham
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Daniel Dee Cunningham was born October 23, 1925, in Mannington, West Virginia, to Charles and Carrie Humphrey Cunningham. Daniel had four brothers and two sisters. One brother, John Edward, was killed in World War II.
Daniel attended Rivesville High School and was an employee of Consolidation Coal Company Mine No. 93. While serving overseas during World War II, he was wounded in Germany. His bravery won him many decorations.
In September 1950, he was recalled to active duty with Company D, 23rd infantry Regiment, Second Infantry Division. During this time, Daniel was briefly at home due to the illness of his father and upon his return to camp was sent to Korea.
On March 7, 1951, Private Daniel Cunning ham was in the area of Unjinal, Korea, serving as a machine gunner attached to unit which was pinned down by hostile fire. Daniel realized that the unit could possibly be wiped out by enemy machine and sniper fire. Leaving his place of safety, Daniel moved his machine gun to a more favorable position. His effective machine gun fire enabled the unit to withdraw to a more favorable position. He remained in this partially exposed position until all of the men had withdrawn and then attempted to rejoin the unit. At this time he was killed by enemy sniper fire.
The body of Private Daniel Dee Cunningham was returned to the United States and was interred in the Barb Cemetery near Hoodsville, West Virginia.
Private Cunningham was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions of March 7, 1951, which was presented to his widow in October of that year. He left behind two children, Dianna and Daniel.
West Virginia Archives and History welcomes any additional information that can be provided about these veterans, including photographs, family names, letters and other relevant personal history.
