Ellis Dean, war hero, 'Buffalo Soldier'

ELLIS W. DEAN, a wounded and decorated Army veteran of the Korean War who in civilian life became a strong advocate for veterans, died Thursday. He was 82 and lived in Ambler.

Ellis was a member of the historic 24th Infantry Regiment, an all-black "Buffalo Soldier" unit founded in 1869.

The 24th fought throughout the Korean peninsula, from the Pusan perimeter and well into North Korea before the Chinese intervention that drove the Allied forces back.

Ellis was wounded and received the Purple Heart Medal, among other decorations. He served in the Army from 1947 to 1954. After Korea, he was assigned to the 517th Military Police detachment, the 11th Cavalry and, finally, the 5th Army at Fort Riley, Kans.

While in the military, Ellis was an outstanding athlete on Army teams. He excelled in track and field, football and baseball. While stationed in Japan, he met and married the late Kazuko Yamagami.

In civilian life, he worked for both Merck Pharmaceuticals and Univac, and was a state parole officer for a time. He was active in recruitment and job placement for veterans, and worked with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

He was a longtime member of the Northeast Chapter of the 24th Regimental Combat Team, which he served as sergeant-at-arms. He received a number of commendations for his work with veterans.

Ellis enjoyed traveling the world. One of his most notable trips was going back to Korea for the 50th anniversary of the war, in the early 2000s.

"He had an opportunity to be thanked by the Koreans and to walk on the soil where he fought," his family said.

Ellis also enjoyed playing golf and was a fan of local sports teams.

He is survived by two daughters, Joanne Dean and Christine Clements; a son, Eric Dean, and three grandchildren. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by four brothers, James A., David, Sylvester and Daniel, and a sister, Annie Dean.

Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Zion Baptist Church, 14 North St., Ambler. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Fairwood Cemetery, Willow Grove.