JOHN JOSEPH KULL JR.

Joseph John Kull, Jr. died in the service of his country while serving in
2nd Brigade, Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, 4th Infantry Division

Last name: Kull, Jr.
First name: Joseph John
Home of Record (official): Philadelphia
State (official): PA
Date of Birth: March 4, 1949
Marital Status: Single

Branch: Army
Rank: E-4
Component: Infantry
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B20
Major Organization: 4th Infantry Division
Unit of assignment: 2nd Brigade, Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol

Entered Service:
Start of Tour: March 27, 1968
Date of Casualty: September 6, 1968
Age at time of loss: 19
Casualty type: Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire, ground
Country: South, Vietnam
Province: Darlac

Vietnam Memorial Wall: Panel 45W, Row 54

Ranger Memorial Stone: Section , Column

Lord, those who knew Joseph are so thankful you allowed them to be graced by his being among them. We his brothers of like spirit, a spirit that says all people, of all nations, should enjoy the right to live free and to choose for themselves, do also thank you. He stands out to us and the world as a symbol of the price of freedom. Your Word says; "no greater love hath a man than this, to give his life for a friend" did just that! He forsook self-preservation for others to live. He acted out of love, a love that required no contemplation but rather action. Surely it never crossed his mind at the moment that he would come to be known as a "HERO". We thank you for men and women like our brother that thought it not too much, to give his life for others to live. Lord, this day give comfort to those loved ones that have been all these years without him. Help them to know he is at rest with you and "Warriors" of like kind. May we never forget the blood of others bought our freedoms. Lord, regardless of our belief, help us as we remember him and the many like him to consider the following words of wisdom; to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind, and strength, and secondly to love our neighbor as our self. Truly acceptance and application of this wisdom by all people of the world, is to see war and all other atrocities against humanity end! May our hearts be charged to honor the sacrifices of such men and women with a continuous and sincere effort to promote peace on earth and good will towards all? To the family that has had to bear the loss of Joseph, we offers our heart-felt thanks for your standing so strong. Many that enjoy real freedom have been affected by the great contribution he gave towards our freedom. He is still loved and missed, even to this day.

Taps, when sounded after the Honor Squad has fire the final volley, of a 21 gun salute, brings to us the reality of the price of Freedom. While played one can hear the words from the heart of the writer, in the silence of the mind, yet among many, but seemly alone, you hear and feel the words; Day is done, Gone the sun, From the Lakes, From the hills, From the sky, All is well, safely rest, God is nigh. Fading light, Dims the sight, And a star, Gems the sky, Gleaming bright, From afar, Drawing nigh, Falls the night. Thanks and praise, For our days, Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is nigh. We can take comfort in these words because God truly is near, as close as your breath, and his tears join with ours, as we say our last good byes. Joseph, having sacrificed his physical life for those that are the leased able to fight for themselves, has fulfilled the great words of Jesus Christ; no greater love hath a man than this, to give his life for a friend. His friends we could say are those seeking to live peaceably among mankind. Joseph John Kull Jr., a very young man with great morals, evidenced in his countenance, and in his actions. A man of high character. One that never ran when his country called. No, he answered, knowing his life would be in great danger along with many others. After training state side he was sent to Vietnam. Here he would show uncommon courage by joining the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol. This unit was made up of all volunteers. Volunteering was one of the prerequisites because of the amplified danger these units faced. They were the eyes and ears of the combat forces in Vietnam. They worked deep inside enemy held territory to gather much needed information. Information that could not be gotten any other way. The teams were such a threat to the North Vietnamese government, that they formed Tracker Teams to hunt them down, once suspected of being in the area. They went as far as to place bounties on their heads of $1000- $2500, dead or alive. Operating in mostly 4 man teams, they could practice great stealth. In doing this they were able to get so close to the enemy at times, all they need do was reach out and touch them. All the while undetected. This enabled them to report information back to Headquarters, and field commanders, for planning better operations when deploying their troops. The teams, at times, brought much devastation to the enemy by bring artillery or air strikes upon them. Joseph was one of the elite working with a unit that would, and did write history. They performed well under pressure and did perform some of the most dangerous missions, in the history of the United States Army. These men became brothers, of brothers while in Vietnam, and this still remains today. We gather at least once ever two years, renewing our friendships, and remembering our fallen brothers. We by use of the associations site are developing a permanent page for each one that fell for the cause of freedom. Some called us crazy, but what I saw was unbelievable commitment, determination, courage, gallant, loving men, and more often than not " Valorous". Some of the bravest I have ever known or served with. Joseph John Kull, Jr. was and remains one of, "AMERICA'S BEST". Sua Sponta (of his own accord).

Bob Smyers

Photo and article were taken from the Philadelphia Daily News of October 26, 1987. The special supplement entitled 'SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY,' was published in conjunction with the dedication of the Philadelphia Viet Nam Memorial. Kull worked briefly operating forklift trucks for the Triple A Trucking Co. on Thompson Street before he enlisted in the Army in September 1967. The specialist four, a rifleman, wrote his sister from Viet Nam that he sometimes did not know what he was fighting for in a "crazy, mixed-up war." Kull, 19, was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. He died on September 9, 1968. Survivors included his parents and a sister. Kull was one of at least 11 young men from the Fish town-Kensington-Port Richmond neighborhoods to die or be missing in action in Viet Nam. All are honored on the CPL Charles J. Glenn 3rd Memorial in Fish town, dedicated in 1967 and one of the first memorials to Viet Nam veterans in the United States.

Jim McIlhenney, Native Philadelphian & Vietnam Veteran