Compiled By: Janelle Layne Taylor and Willene N. Campbell

    Some have said that there are only two who would lay down their lives for you. Those two are Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. This article chronicles those soldiers from Grundy County, TN, who did give their lives in service to their country so that everyday citizens like you and me can live free from oppression. If you have additional information for our Historical Society about any of these men, please contact jcoats [at] cafes [dot] net or 931 467-3603. World War II soldiers were included in a similar article published Veterans’ Day 2005. That article may be viewed on the following website: www.gchs.homestead.com

Charles E. “Bud” Meeks born 1921 in Grundy County; killed in action September 7, 1950, in South Korea. He was the son of Rob & Savannah Meeks of Kentucky and brother of Louise Pocus. Corporal Meeks was a light weapons infantryman in the U.S. Army’s 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. Bud was buried in Kentucky.
Service ID: RA13035040
Source: Buddy Sanders, David Patton, U.S. Military records

William Cecil Moneyheffer was born in 1928, lived in Palmer, TN, entered the U.S. Army 172nd Infantry Regiment on September 19, 1950, and was stationed at Camp Pickett, VA. He died of a heart attack while training on March 15, 1951. William is buried at Fall Creek Cemetery in Gruetli-Laager beside his parents William Henry & Bertha H. Moneyheffer.
Source: David Patton

William Clayburn Northcutt was born in May 25, 1931, in Altamont, TN, to Clarence and Lydia Mae Fults Northcutt. William was the grandson of Avery and Martha Hobbs Northcutt. His brothers were James Claudy Northcutt and Milburn Northcutt Army Corporal Northcutt was killed while fighting the enemy in South Korea on September 23, 1950. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean War Service Medal. Corporal Northcutt is buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery located near Viola, TN.
Service ID: 14322872
Source: Mona Moreland, U.S. Military Records

John Everett Ross, born in 1930, was the son of Corwin Edwin Ross and Mildred Layne Ross of Gruetli-Laager. He was a light weapons infantryman private E2 in the Army’s 2nd Division, Unit 38 Cavalry, killed in action in North Korea on September 1, 1951. His siblings were Joann Brownlee, Paul Wayne Ross, Lee Doug Ross, Mary Jane Wise, Brenda Pickett, Greg Ross, & Royce Sitz. John Everett Ross was buried at Fall Creek Cemetery in Gruetli-Laager.
Source: Royce Ross Sitz, sister & U.S. Military Records

Glenn S. Schonemann was born in 1930 and lived in Tracy City. He was the son of Elbert and Minnie Tate Schonmann. He received training in Kentucky and was sent to Korea where he served about 6 months before he was killed on November 28, 1950. He died while captured. Glenn’s family lived in Tracy City and were caretakers of the Werner farm. Mary Ruth Rogers of Palmer recalls attending school with Glenn and swapping snacks for paper with him. Glenn’s brother was Raymond Schonemann.
Source: Raymond Schonemann, brother; Mary Ruth Rogers & David Patton

Hershel Leon Tate was born in 1922 and was the son of Joe Carpenter Tate and Ethel Gross Tate. He was married to Ruby King and lived in Beersheba Springs. He died in Korea on January 12, 1951, as a POW.
Source: Jean Turner & David Patton