Brodie, John William "Jack" 1931-1951

BRODIE

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 7/11/2008 at 19:35:45

MARINE PFC JACK BRODIE, 19, DIES OF WOUNDS IN KOREA

Jack Brodie, 19, a private first class in the Maine Corps died of wounds received in action in Korea. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Brodie of LeMars were informed Friday by a telegram for the Defense Department.

His death is the first LeMars casualty in the Korean War and the third reported in the county.

He had gone overseas March 14, and was a veteran of the Korean front lines despite his recent arrival in the theater.

From his letters, the latest of which arrived Monday, his father estimates Jack had spent some 60 days in the front lines. A recent letter told of spending 23 days in the line with his unit before they were relieved.

Jack had joined the Marines Sept. 18, 1950, and had been home in December for a 10-day leave after completing boot camp. He was 19 on Christmas eve.

From here he went to Camp Pendleton in California and overseas, where he joined the First Marine Division.

He was born and raised in LeMars, having graduated from high school with the Class of 1949.

He is survived by his parents, two brothers, Tom, 16, and Steve, seven and two sisters, Mary, 11 and Margaret, two.

His parents have been advised they will be informed as soon as detailed arrangements for the return of the body are completed.

~Source: LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, June 5, 1951
~Note: He was born Dec. 24, 1931. He died May 27, 1951.
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[Another Obituary]

Military Rites For Pfc. Brodie To Be Friday

The body of Marine Pfc. John William Brodie will arrive in Le Mars on the 1:55 a.m. Chicago Northwestern train Friday morning, Oct. 26, from Oakland, Calif. The body will be escorted by Sgt. Wesley P. Hulgan and full military rites will be accorded the 19-year-old Le Mars boy Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted at the First Presbyterian church by Rev. Allen L. Bowe with Her. Frank Patterson. Waimer Legion post chaplain, assisting. Burial, under the direction of Mauer's funeral home, will be in Memorial Field, Le Mars City cemetery.

Members of Le Mars Wasmer post will be pall bearers and the honor guard and firing squad will be Olson-Halweg post members from Merrill.

Jack Brodie enlisted in the Marine corps Sept. 18, 1950, and was sent overseas in February, 1951, from Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he joined Fox company of the First Marine Division.

He was wounded by motar fire in an enemy push May 27 on a hill north of Pusan, Korea, and died that night. Jack was born Dec. 24, 1931 in Le Mars and graduated from the high school with the class of 1949. He was a member of National Guard Co. K and the Naval Reserve before enlisting, and attended the First Presbyterian church.

Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William W. Brodie; two brothers, Thomas Frederick, 16 and Stephen Douglas, 8; and two sisters, Mary Lou, 11 and Margaret Ann, 3. Bodies of 600 Americans, including Pfc. Brodie and six other Iowans, who lost their lives fighting in Korea were returned to San Francisco, Calif., Oct. 14.

Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
Friday, October 26, 1951
Le Mars, Iowa