MESSER, Harold Richard 1928-1951

MESSER, JEFFREY

Posted By: Betty Hootman
Date: 11/22/2011 at 13:18:07

Mount Pleasant News
Monday, 28 January 1952

Pfc. H. MESSER's
Body Returned
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Fairfield ---- The body of Pfc. Harold are MESSER, second Jefferson county serviceman to die in Korea, has been returned, to the United States for burial and was to arrive in Fairfield Monday.

MESSER was the son of Mrs. Mary MESSER, Route 1, Lockridge. funeral arrangements are incomplete pending word from out-of-state relatives. The body arrived in the United States two weeks ago and will be accompanied to Fairfield by a military escort.

The Lockridge soldier died in Korea, Oct. 22, 1951 after contacting hemorrhagic fever. News dispatches from Korea at the time of MESSER's death said many UN troops had succumbed to a mysterious malady believed to be transmitted by mice and rats. The Oriental disease was said to be similar to hemorrhagic fever and it is possible that MESSER was the victim of the same ailment.

The youth was born at Lockridge Dec. 9. 1928, the son of William H. and Mary JEFFREY MESSER. He was educated in the Lockridge schools and was formerly employed by the Burlington railroad. He was a member of the Baptist church. MESSER entered service as a draftee from Jefferson county November 6, 1950.

He is survived by his mother, one sister, Carrie MESSER, a senior at Lockridge high school, and four brothers, Guy MESSER and Archie MESSER, both of Spokane, Wash, and Kenneth and Elgie, both at home. His father preceded him in death June 21, 1943.

MESSER's body will arrive in Fairfield by train, at 2:45 p.m. Monday. The Hoskins Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.

Pfc. Garland R. SCARFF, Fairfield, was the first Jefferson county serviceman to die in Korea, He was killed in action Sept. 5, 1950. His body, was returned to the United States in May 1951 for burial in Rock Island, Ill.

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Mount Pleasant News
Tuesday, 29 January 1952

FUNERAL NOTICE

Services for Pfc. Harold Richard MESSER, who died in Korea on Oct. 22, will be held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock at Lockridge Baptist church with military rites at the grave.

Transcribed for genealogy purposes, I am related to this family by marriage.