Joseph Lawrence Remmes
March 20, 1938 — September 7, 2022
Joseph Lawrence Remmes was born in Charter Oak, Iowa to Barney and Verna (Staley) Remmes on March 20, 1938. Joe passed away on September 7, 2022 at the age of 84. He is survived by brother Fr. Richard of Arcadia, Iowa and sister Catherine of Denison,Iowa; sisters-in-law Marian Remmes, Colleen Schaben, Geri Remmes, and Ruth Remmes, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas, William, John, James, and Leo and two sisters Marilyn Mechura and Helen Steele and brothers-in-law Gerald Mechura and Almon Steele. He attended St. Boniface Catholic Grade School and graduated from Charter Oak High School in 1956. Joe was drafted into the Army on August 22, 1961. The Remmes family has a history of service in uniform. Joe’s father, Barney, served in the US Army during World War I and every brother served in uniform, as well. Joe, uniquely though, made service to his country in the Army a career. He retired from active duty at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Three on August 31, 1981.
Joe spent a significant amount of time in Vietnam, earning the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars for the four military campaigns he participated in during that conflict. While serving in Vietnam, Staff Sergeant Remmes was an advisor with Advisory Team 34 and on May 5, 1968 while assigned to support the 266 Regional Forces Company, he encountered hostile contact with the enemy. He distinguished himself in combat that day and was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart. The citation for his Award of the Bronze Star Medal reads in part, that SSG Remmes “distinguished himself by heroic action.” It goes on to say “when heavy contact was made with the enemy, Sergeant Remmes declined to seek safety and instead moved under intense fire to set up a defensive position and, even though wounded, held his ground against an advancing hostile force. For an hour the beleaguered advisors were attacked by rockets, hand grenades, and small arms fire. Sergeant Remmes was wounded twice again, but with sheer determination he continued placing accurate fire which held the enemy at bay until the group was extracted by helicopter.”
Joe’s other awards also include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and others.
Following his retirement, Joe moved to Utah and worked for the Department of Defense in the office of Defense Investigative Services as a Special Agent. After leaving that position, Joe moved to Omaha where he was involved with his local Purple Heart Veterans organization. Joe showed much generosity in his life and among his personal papers is a thank you from the Domain of Mary Orphanage in Da Lat Vietnam for a sizeable donation he made to them. Military Advisory Team 34, Joe’s unit, was assigned to the Da Lat Province during the Vietnam War.
Joe spent a significant amount of time in Vietnam, earning the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze stars for the four military campaigns he participated in during that conflict. While serving in Vietnam, Staff Sergeant Remmes was an advisor with Advisory Team 34 and on May 5, 1968 while assigned to support the 266 Regional Forces Company, he encountered hostile contact with the enemy. He distinguished himself in combat that day and was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart. The citation for his Award of the Bronze Star Medal reads in part, that SSG Remmes “distinguished himself by heroic action.” It goes on to say “when heavy contact was made with the enemy, Sergeant Remmes declined to seek safety and instead moved under intense fire to set up a defensive position and, even though wounded, held his ground against an advancing hostile force. For an hour the beleaguered advisors were attacked by rockets, hand grenades, and small arms fire. Sergeant Remmes was wounded twice again, but with sheer determination he continued placing accurate fire which held the enemy at bay until the group was extracted by helicopter.”
Joe’s other awards also include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and others.
Following his retirement, Joe moved to Utah and worked for the Department of Defense in the office of Defense Investigative Services as a Special Agent. After leaving that position, Joe moved to Omaha where he was involved with his local Purple Heart Veterans organization. Joe showed much generosity in his life and among his personal papers is a thank you from the Domain of Mary Orphanage in Da Lat Vietnam for a sizeable donation he made to them. Military Advisory Team 34, Joe’s unit, was assigned to the Da Lat Province during the Vietnam War.
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