Meyer Jr., Joseph, PFC

Fallen

Photo In Uniform

Service Details

Last Rank
Private First Class

Last Service Branch
Infantry

Last Primary MOS
4745-Light Weapons Infantryman

Last MOS Group
Infantry (Enlisted)

Primary Unit
1949-1950, HHC, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment

Service Years
1949 - 1950

Last Photo

Personal Details

Home State

North Dakota

Year of Birth
1932

This Military Service Page was created/owned by SGT Robert Briggs (squadleader)-Deceased to remember Meyer Jr., Joseph, Pfc.

If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.

Casualty Info

Home Town Not Specified	Last Address Whapeton

Casualty Date Dec 12, 1950
Cause Hostile, Died while Missing	Reason Artillery, Rocket, Mortar
Location Korea, North	Conflict Korean War
Location of Interment Not Specified	Wall/Plot Coordinates Not Specified

Official Badges

Unofficial Badges

Military Association Memberships


	2008, Combat Infantrymen's Association, N/A (Member) [Verified]
	2008, Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) [Verified] - Assoc. Page
	2008, Military Order of the Purple Heart [Verified] - Assoc. Page

Ribbon Bar

Unit Assignments


	1949-1950, 4745, 7th Infantry Division
	1949-1950, HHC, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment

Combat and Non-Combat Operations


	1950-1950 Korean War/UN Offensive (1950)/Eighth Army Offensive
	1950-1950 Korean War/UN Offensive (1950)/Inchon Landing/Operation Chromite
	1950-1950 Korean War/UN Offensive (1950)/Inchon Landing/Operation Chromite
	1950-1950 Korean War/CCF Intervention (1950-51)/Chosin Reservoir (Battle of Changjin)
	1950-1953 Korean War

Additional Information

Last Known Activity
Joseph Kenneth Meyer Jr. was assigned to K Company, 31^st Infantry Regiment. and was attached to the 31^st Regimental Combat Team (RCT), 7^th Infantry Division. The team was engaged against the Chinese People's Volunteer Forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, from late November to early December, 1950. He died as result of intense enemy fire, and his bodie was not recovered at the time.

Between 2001 and 2005, joint U.S. and Democratic People's Republic of Korea teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), conducted excavations of several burial sites near the Chosin Reservoir. The sites correlate closely with defensive positions held by the 31st RCT at the time of the Chinese attacks. The teams recovered remains there believed to be those of U.S. servicemen. Analysis of the remains recovered from the sites led to the identification of several individuals, including Myers.

Comments/Citation

Joseph Kenneth Meyer Jr. was born in Wahpeton, ND on October 19, 1932, the son of J.K. and Clara Meyer. Joe grew up in Wahpeton and attended school at St. John’s Catholic School and Wahpeton High School. Joe was known as "Sonny" by members of his family and was raised on a farm in North Dakota. He enlisted in the Army on November 10, 1949 at the age of 17 with parental consent. PFC Meyer served during the Korean Conflict and was a member of Company K, 31^st Infantry Regiment, and 7th Infantry Division. He was listed as missing in action on December 12, 1950 and presumed dead on December 31, 1953.

In addition to the Purple Heart awarded after his death, other medals awarded posthumously were the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Korean Service Medal, The United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

The funeral mass for PFC Joseph Kenneth Meyer Jr. will be 2:00 PM Saturday, May 3^rd, 2008 at St. John’s Catholic Church Wahpeton, ND. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery Wahpeton, ND with full military honors.

MOS 4745
SN RA27755576