Joseph Platzkoester

Sergeant Joseph Alfred Platzkoester, ER55001215, U.S. Army, served in Company H, 2nd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War.

On May 30, 1951, Sergeant Platzkoester was reported Missing in Action (MIA) in the vicinity of Inje, Republic of Korea (R.O.K., or South Korea) when his unit encountered a roadblock and came under heavy enemy attack. He was reported as missing in action after this battle, and subsequent searches of the area failed to locate him or his remains. He was never reported as a prisoner of war and there is no evidence that he was ever alive in enemy custody. Today, Sergeant Platzkoester is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. His name is also inscribed on the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, which was updated in 2022 to include the names of the fallen.

Positive identification was made on May 29, 2026, through DNA testing and match of his sister, Virginia Platzkoester Renner, and his niece, Mary C. Schafer. The maternal match was found to be consistent at all overlapping bases with the MG sequence data for the specimens. There was no doubt that Joseph Platzkoester “Uncle Joe” was found. Joseph Platzkoester was presented with the Bronze Star medal for his heroic actions in Korea that ultimately cost him his life. The recognition below depicts who he was, not only as a soldier, but also who he was as a human being.

On January 7, 1951, in the vicinity of Wonju, Korea, the 81mm mortar platoon, of which he was a member, was attacked by enemy forces that had infiltrated through the front lines. Joseph was on guard on the edge of the perimeter and opened fire upon the enemy. Without regard for his safety, he remained in his position, firing and inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy. His courageous action enabled the rest of the platoon to get to their positions to repulse the attack. The heroism displayed by Joseph Platzkoester reflects great character upon himself and his military service.

Sergeant Platzkoester is also the recipient of the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and Broze Star Attachment (Triple), the Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award, and the United Nations Service Medal.

“Uncle Joe” is remembered by family as being a fun-loving uncle who had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed playing badminton, joking, teasing, and riding his dirt bike equipped with a loud horn he would blast to make his nieces and nephews laugh.

He was preceded in death by his father, John A. Platzkoester. Many family members also passed away during the decades spent waiting for answers, including his mother, Anna B., nee Dahlmann, Platzkoester; five sisters, Anna Platzkoester, Sister Marie Ann Platzkoester SSND, Paula (James) Yaekel, Helen (Vincent) Bauer, and Virginia (George) Renner; two brothers, Albert (Margaret) Platzkoester and John (Irene) Platzkoester; his godson, Jack Joseph Yaekel; as well as other nieces and nephews.

Surviving are many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who await his arrival home.

Sergeant Platzkoester will arrive at St. Louis Lambert International Airport for a dignified transfer on Friday, November 6, 2026.

Visitation: Following Joseph’s return home, visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, November 8, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, November 9, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 200 W. Harrison Street, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. James Buerster officiating.

He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.