The grave of a Louisiana soldier killed in the Korean War has deteriorated so badly that his casket is exposed at a Baton Rouge cemetery. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary, Dr. Jerome Buller, visited Private First Class Samuel Pierre Jr.’s grave yesterday.
“At this point the concern is that, while Sweet Olive Cemetery has had many years of honorable care to the deceased there, it’s not so today,” Buller noted.
Buller says the brick structure covering Pierre’s grave has collapsed.
“The casket is exposed; and more concerning, the lower part of the casket actually appears to have been compromised, due to rust; and it appears to be open,” Buller explained.
Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley says no grave should look like this, especially that of a soldier killed in action.
Pierre was 22 when he died in Korea in 1952. He grew up in Baton Rouge, attended McKinley High School, graduated from Gaudet High School in New Orleans and attended Southern University. He entered the Army in April 1951 and arrived in Korea that November.
With no living immediate family identified, Buller says the state, governor’s office, Louisiana Cemetery Board and Attorney General’s Office are considering repairing the grave or relocating Pierre’s remains.
“We have not been able to locate any next-of-kin; and that’s why we are petitioning the court to act in this servicemember’s best behalf,” Buller said.
The Louisiana Cemetery Board has advised that relocating remains would require court approval since no family members have been located.
Comments