Chester W (obit) FERRELL(VETERAN KOR)

FIRST SERGEANT US Army
Company B 1 Battlion
Korea
March 15, 1921 - April 5, 2012
Bronze Star medal
2 Korean Service Medals

*Obituary taken from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Published: April 9, 2012


Chester William Ferrell was born on March 15, 1921 in Broseley, Mo. to Frank C. Ferrell and Rachel Cassie Dunlop Ferrell, but Chester grew up in Augusta. Chester is survived by one sister, Modene Lucy of Paestine; one sister-in-law Ruth Ferrell of McCrory; one daughter, Emma Knight and son-in-law, Ronald Knight of Jacksonville; one son, Chester "Chuck" D. Ferrell and daughter-in-law, Mary Ferrell of North Little Rock; one grandson, Gregory Knight and granddaughter-in-law, Mileia Knight of Springdale; one granddaughter, Stephanie Ferrell of Atlanta, Ga.; two great-grandsons, Matthew and Jacob Knight. Chester was proceeded in death by two brothers, Wesley Ferrell and Eugene Ferrell; one sister, Lillie Bell Dollar; and was widowed on two occasions, first by the death of Betty Jo Ferrell and secondly by the death of Margie House Ferrell. Chester was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer on Nov. 22, 2011 and set out on a fierce battle against it, but lost his battle on March 5, 2012. Chester joined the United States Army in 1937 and after serving six years, he left the service coming home to Woodruff County, Ark. where he married Betty Jo Holt of Beedeville. In 1948 he was recalled to active duty by the United States Army and the President of the United States. During his military career, he achieved the rank of 1st Sargent (E-8) and served as Sargent Major on Special Assignment with Company C 2nd Brigade Group, 4th Calvary, United States Army. Chester received The Award of the Purple Heart on Aug. 9, 1952 in Korea. He also received the Bronze Star for Valor against the enemy at Chokko-ri, Korea in 1953. He received the Award of the Army Commendation Medal, as ordered by the United States Infantry Training Center, in addition he received two Korean War Service Medals, awarded him by the President of South Korea. Some of his assignments included Company A, 10th Battle Group, 3rd Brigade Infantry United States Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, Infantry, United States Army, Company A, 10th Battle Group, 3rd Brigade, United States Army Infantry Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry, United States Army. On July 30, 1968, by order of the Secretary of the Army, Chester received special orders of retirement and did retire from Company B, 1st Battalion 1st Infantry United States Army. In 1970, he began working Base Supply of the 314 Tactical Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, receiving a multitude of Achievement Awards. Chester retired from the Civil Service in January 1987 and truly lived out his retirement. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War and a charter member of the WW II Engagements, the National Republican Committee, and a member of the Jacksonville First Assembly of God Church. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at First Assembly of God Church in Jacksonville with Brother Royce Lowe officiating. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park under the direction of Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home and Crematory (501) 982-2136. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to one of the following non-profit organizations; Arkansas Hospice of North Little Rock; The Pulaski County Humane Society of Little Rock; Pet Angels, Inc. of Jacksonville; or Fishnet Missions of Jacksonville. Please sign the online guestbook at www.mooresjacksonvillefuneralhome.com.

Contributed on 9/6/12 by eagle12953
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Record #: 752912

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