Staff Sergeant Harvey Jonathan McPeak

Korea US Air Force Shepard Air Base, Texas Service Number: Born: February 27, 1931, Otis Inducted: April 11, 1950 Korea Jan 1951-Mar 1952 Died: July 4, 1955 in Texas Buried: Akron Cemetery

Son of Hugh and Laura E. McPeak of Anton. Husband of Anne Catchings McPeak of Georgia.

Thursday July 14, 1955 The Akron News-Reporter

Funeral services for S/Sgt. Harvey J. McPeak were held Friday afternoon from the Methodist Church in Akron, with the Rev. Daniel B. Reed, pastor of the Anton Bethel Union Church in charge. Military services were conducted in the Akron Cemetery.

Harvey Jonathan McPeak, son of Hugh R. and Laura E. McPeak, was born in Otis, Colorado, February 27, 1931 and was drowned in an accident on July 3, 1955. He was 24 years, 4 months and 6 days of age.

When he was two years old he moved with his parents to the Anton neighborhood and lived in that vicinity until finishing his public schooling.

He attended high school in Akron for two years. one in Colorado Springs and was graduated from the Monument, Colorado High School in the spring of 1949.

On April 11, 1950, shortly after his 19th birthday, he enlisted for a four year term in the U. S. Air Force. In January, 1951 he was sent to Korea, where he remained until returning home in March, 1952.

After a short furlough, he was reassigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was stationed until February of 1953 when he was transferred to Lowry Field, Denver. He remained at that base until the end of his enlisted term, April 11, 1954.

He re-enlisted immediately and in September, 1954 was transferred to Shepard Air Base at Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was stationed at the time of his death.

On December 31, 1953, while stationed at Fort Benning, he was married to Anne Catchings of Columbus, Georgia, and she was fortunate enough to be able to be with him on his transfers.

They had made their home in Burkburnett, Texas, a short distance from the base, since he was transferred from Lowry Field.

At the age of 14, Harvey accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and remained a stanch Christian the rest of his life.

Besides his wife, Anne, and a stepson, Donald Catchings, he is survived by his parents and four sisters, Mrs. Marvin Lee of Denver, Mrs. Virgil Todd of Anton, Mrs. Dale Rauch of Greeley, and Mrs. Vernon Axtell of Salt Lake City, Utah, and well as numerous friends.

Notes/Credits:

Harvey McPeak photograph donated by Dale and Leora McPeak Rousch and Helen McPeak Axtell.

Cemetery headstone photo and newspaper clipping by Arlene Glenn.

Harvey McPeak was named for an uncle from Iowa who died in France during World War I.

June 6, 1918 Akron News

Another War Hero

Harvey McPeak, a relative of Hugh McPeak of near Arickaree, recently lost his life in France. Before passing away, however, he enjoyed the honor of wearing a hero medal for his bravery in battle. A shell burst near McPeak, wounding him and burying many other soldiers. He immediately grabbed a spade and began digging his comrades out. At that moment five Germans jumped into the hole with the idea of finishing anyone who remained alive. McPeak using his spade for a weapon, laid out three of the Germans while the other two fled. He had practically recovered from his wounds when he was taken with pneumonia and died. He is known to many Washington county citizens as a splendid wrestler.

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