Edward John Mueller

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on September 4, 2004:

Edward John Mueller, Jr. Born September 20, 1927 - KIA April 2, 1953 Perhaps no one act in the life of Edward John Mueller, Jr. could better portray his personality, than his last. On April 2, 1953, Edward was killed in action, by a direct hit, while leading a battle patrol unit of the 15th Infantry Regiment, US 3rd Division, in the Korean Conflict. Edward volunteered for the patrol after telling a fellow officer, whose wife was an expectant mother, to "stay out" because it was too dangerous. Such concern and regard for those about him could only result from his training and background. Born in Sheboygan, WI, the son of Dr. and Mrs. E. J. Mueller, Edward received his elementary and secondary education in Sheboygan public schools. It was during this period of his training that he first distinguished himself, both on the athletic fields and in the classroom. Numerous athletic and scholastic awards attest to his success, during his years in High School and later at the University of Pennsylvania, and finally at USMA, West Point, Class of 1951. Perhaps it was the emphasis on athletics that gave him his great perception of the importance and dignity of people about him. Some might call this perception "team work," some, "brotherhood." To some of us such a quality is more an ideal than a reality. To Edward Mueller it was a natural and unquestioned part of his everyday life, on the playing field, in the classroom, in his home, and later, in the military service. Though he might have selected almost any field of endeavor as his life's work, the fact that he chose to devote his future to his country's service is indicative of his own selflessness and his dedication to the service of his fellow man. If popularity and the admiration of friends and classmates are measures of a successful boyhood, Edward's record was outstanding. Testimo-nials are found in the pages of his High School annual, published the year he graduated. Literally hundreds of words of tribute and well-wishing are written across the fly leaves and pages of this annual by his classmates and friends. Typical of these notations is the following, written with all the sincerity of youth: "Gee Eddie: We're all thru now. I want to tell you what a swell athlete and fellow you are, it was wonderful to be your teammate this year in football, I suppose we could have tried harder, but every time I saw you I wondered how long you could keep on going like that. Always working and practicing, I expect plenty from you in the future." Neither creed nor color influenced his associations as a student and later as an officer in the military service. Edward loved his family and had the deepest regard for them. A very close association existed between him, his younger brother, his sister, and his mother and father. He earned the respect and love of his relatives because of his own courteous and respectful manner. Immediately following his gradation from West Point, he was enrolled in the Airborne Course of the Infantry School. Serious leg and hip injuries, incurred as a result of a practice jump while at the Airborne School, failed to dampen his enthusiasm for the arm of the service he had chosen. In October 1952 he was transferred to Korea and assigned to he 15th Infantry Regiment of the US 3rd Division. Letters to his parents from the battle front recount instance after instance of his courage and daring, while leading his battle patrol unit, in their frequent forays into enemy territory. That his name and his deeds were legend amongst his fellow officers and men is attested to by their action on November 12, 1953, when Lieutenant Mueller was signally honored with a traditional ceremony. Camp Mueller, home of the 15th "Can Do" Infantry Regiment, US 3rd Division, was dedicated to his memory. In Scripture we read: "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." The book of life of Edward Mueller, though brief, is full and rich with detail of those things which are pleasing to God who saw fit to take him into His own Kingdom. G. J. C. jac; 18275, wc 814

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