DEMERSON, JOE ED
PFC, U.S. Army
Dawson County, Texas

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Biography:

Born in Lamesa on Aug. 26, 1948, Joe Ed Demerson enlisted in the Army on his 20th birthday. He was killed on March 21, 1969, while driving a military vehicle on a mission which was attacked by hostile forces. He had been in Vietnam less than 30 days, assigned to Troop D, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Division.

Demerson had played youth baseball and participated in both football and track at Lamesa High School. He later attended Cisco Junior College and Howard College at Big Spring before enlisting.

An editorial in his hometown newspaper following his death perhaps summed up the feelings about the casualties of the Vietnam War when it said, "Only the Good Lord knows why Joe Ed Demerson was called to make the supreme sacrifice in the service of his country…but because he was, the Vietnam War is just a little closer to home today".