Nam Knights Return Dog Tag to Korean War Veteran
On Saturday, July 15th, the Nam Knight of America Independence Chapter, South Jersey Chapter and Alleghany Chapter members made the trip out to Beech Creek PA where they returned the military dog tag of Korean war veteran Edward Rupert at the Fellowship First Church of Christ, where Mr Rupert is a member.
ABOUT EDWARD RUPERT and his military Dog Tag
Joseph Gerstenbacher, a long time resident of Pennsauken, NJ was a pressman for the Philadelphia Inquirer who had a passion for antiquing in his free time. After his death in 2021, among his treasures were a handful of military dog tags which presumably were obtained at one of the sales/events he went to. Ultimately, they landed in the hands of Patriot Connections Dog Tag Project as his son was looking to get them returned to the veterans they belonged to.
One of the dog tags belongs to Edward L Rupert, who was found living in Beech Creek, PA.
Mr Rupert was born May 15, 1931 in Beech Creek PA, son of Leroy and Annabelle Rupert. In 1950 he enlisted in the US Army out of Williamsport PA and spent 16 months at Ft Dix, NJ. He then was sent to Camp Stoneman, CA, where he spent a couple of weeks before boarding the USS R L Howze, headed for the Seoul, Korea.
Once arriving and traveling in a cramped box car, the devastation was apparent – blown out buildings and debris all around – a scene frightening for all the men. While he and his company were located a few miles from the front line, on many occassions he would take troops up to the front line. He spent 13 months in Korea - and in March of 1953, Cpl Edward Rupert, having served with the 10th Engineers Bn was on his way back home – thankful to be leaving Korea. However, an awful storm made for a not so pleasant transport home – he arrived in Washington, then on to Ft Custer, Michigan, for his discharge in April 1953. Shortly after returning home, he married Betty L Workman, who passed away in 1998 and is buried in the family cemetery, Hayes-Fearon Cemetery, just across the street from the family homestead, where Mr Rupert still lives.
