Roy Head

Roy E. Head Master Sgt. Roy E. Head died on April 30, 1951, in Suan Bean Prison Camp in North Korea. Roy was born on May 10, 1922, in the Grit Hill section of Scott County, Va. He was the eldest of five sons born to the late Catron and Mary Lawson Head. Roy graduated from Rye Cove High School before joining the U.S. Navy on Dec. 4, 1942. Mr. Head served in World War II on the 0USS Pensacola, (the Grey Ghost of the Pacific). His rank was fire controlman third class. He was engaged in seven major battles which included Gilbert Island Operation, Marshall Island Operation, Battle for Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima Operation and Okinawa Operation. Roy Head was discharged from the U.S. Navy on Dec. 16, 1945. Upon returning home, he enrolled at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to become a dentist. The call of the military was far too great, therefore, he left college and enlisted in the U.S. Army in early 1947. Roy was in the 49th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. Master Sgt. Head was stationed with his wife, Ann, in Fort Riley, Kan.. Orders came in 1950 to go to Korea where he was captured by the Chinese Communist Army on Feb. 11, 1951, in North Korea. As a prisoner, he and others marched north to Suan Bean Prison Camp where he died. In addition to his parents, Master Sgt. Head is joined in Heaven by his two deceased brothers, Orville Head and G.J. Head. Master Sgt. Roy Head is survived by his wife, Anna Head Witkowski, Lewes, Del.; his brothers, John Head and friend, Elsie Crites, Cement City, Mich., David Head and wife, Wanda, Kingsport, Tenn.; his nieces, Dianne Stanley and husband, Jack, Parma, Mich., Beth Waters and husband, Dave, Brooklyn, Mich.; nephews, Jerry Head and Ruby, Duffield, Va., Jack Head and friend, Lori Frazier, Largo, Fla., Roy Head and wife, Delores, Church Hill, Tenn.; his great- nieces, Rachel Alger, Brooklyn, Mich., Katarina Head, Church Hill; a great- nephew, Zachary Alger, Brooklyn, Mich. Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 4, 2010, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Morrison City Freewill Baptist Church. A funeral service will be conducted on Friday, June 4, 2010, at 7 p.m. at Morrison City Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Brian Capps officiating. Music will be provided by Two Disciples and Penny Capps. A military graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, June 5, 2010, at 1 p.m. at the Head-Benton Cemetery in Duffield. The U.S. Army Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Morrison City Freewill Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 4175, Kingsport, TN 37660. You can send an online condolence to the family by visiting www.cartertrent.com Carter-Trent /Scott County Funeral Home is serving the Head family.