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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly May 2001
WARREN S. JUNGERHELD * '46
No. 16075 * 4 May 1924 - 20 Dec 1999
Died in Duluth, MN * Ashes scattered near Lake Nebagamon,WI. |
Warren S. Jungerheld, "Jug" to his friends
was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan.
He attended High School at Staunton Military Academy in Staunton,
Virginia. His love was baseball and he developed an excellent
"knuckle ball" while pitching at Staunton. After a
year at Michigan State College, Warren entered West Point in
1943 with the class of '46. His years as a Cadet were filled
with baseball and close friendships. Upon graduation, he was
commissioned into the Infantry.
On his first assignment in Korea with the 20th
Infantry Division, Warren met an Army Nurse named Marilyn Goeltz.
He would later write that he knew that Marilyn would be the love
of his life the first moment they met. He proposed to her in
Korea on a hill near Kwang-ju and they spent the next 53 years
together.
From Korea, Warren and Marilyn moved to Ft. Jackson,
SC where their first child James was born. Next, Warren received
orders for Germany. They spent the next three years in Karlsruhe.
During this tour, their second child Mary was born. Next, Ft.
Benning, GA for the Infantry Officers Advanced Course, then they
were off to San Antonio, TX where Warren would be a USAR Advisor.
In the spring of 1957, Warren left Marilyn and the kids in San
Antonio for a second tour in Korea as Commander of H Company,
17th Infantry Regiment. After a successful command, Warren became
Senior Aid to Major General T.J. Sands. Upon his return from
Korea, he was assigned to the University of Arizona ROTC Instructor
Group. Their third child, Hal was born in Tucson. In 1961, they
were off to Ft. Leavenworth, KS for Command and General Staff
College. Warren next received orders to Japan. While there, Marilyn
and Warren would add to their family again but this time by adopting
a 2-year-old Japanese girl who they named Ann. In 1964, Warren
would move on to Ft. Polk, LA where he would take Battalion Command
in the 5th Basic Combat Training Brigade.
In 1967, after a quick course in Vietnamese language
at the Presidio in Monterey, CA, Warren went to Vietnam as Deputy
Senior Advisor, 25th Infantry Division, ARVN. This was his most
difficult assignment. He met this challenge with professionalism
and a unique ability to positively influence his Vietnamese counterparts.
He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his contributions. Particularly
difficult for Warren and Marilyn was that as Warren's tour was
ending their oldest son Jim was beginning his tour in Vietnam
as a Fire Team Leader in the Americal Division. Soon after Warren
returned he was notified that Jim was wounded in a firefight.
Jim was later awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and was able
to finish his tour and return home safely.
Warren retired in 1968 and moved Marilyn and the
family to Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. He became the Assistant
Director of Catholic Charities in Superior. He earned respect
for his honesty, compassion, and leadership as he administered
the many programs and facilities within the Diocese. Warren retired
from Catholic Charities in 1981. He and Marilyn moved north to
Duluth, Minnesota in 1984. In their full retirement, Warren and
Marilyn enjoyed traveling, reading, and seeing their children
and grand children.
In 1984, Warren was diagnosed with nasal pharyngeal
cancer with a very low prognosis for recovery. He chose the most
aggressive treatment available and endured surgery, radiation
and chemotherapy. With excellent care, strong faith and will,
he went into remission. He went on to live cancer free for 15
years. These years were special for Warren and Marilyn. Although
they loved the "Great North Woods", the winters were
long. To avoid "Cabin Fever" they would travel often.
Their favorite spots were Grand Cayman, Arizona, and Las Vegas.
They loved spending time with their children and seeing their
grandchildren grow.
In the early summer of 1999, Warren was diagnosed
with Stage III lung cancer. Again, he chose to treat it with
aggressive radiation. Despite early signs of success, he was
unable to overcome the effects of the treatment. Warren died
20 December 1999.
Warren Jungerheld was a very private person who
did not seek fame and recognition in his life. For him, life
served a much larger purpose. Like so many others of his generation
he was a man of unwavering character grounded in strong beliefs
in Duty, Honor, and Country. Surrounding these beliefs was great
faith in God and family. His legacy is rich with the positive
impact that he had as an Officer, Administrator, Husband, Father
and Friend.
Classmate, Bill Grisham, remembered: " It
would be impossible not to like Jug. I can not think of an instance
where he harmed anyone, either directly of indirectly. You know
the drill - where someone uses some clever positioning strategy
to advance his own career at another's expense. Well - not Jug.
Never. He was a gentleman, through and through. God has a warm
place in his heart for him."
Marilyn, the love of his life for 53 years, survived
him by three months when she too succumbed to cancer. Warren
and Marilyn are survived 2by their four children and seven grand
children. Their long and productive lives serve as an inspiration
to us all.
Hal Jungerheld '83 and the '46 Memorial Article Project
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