Skip to content
Obituaries
Link copied to clipboard

Joseph A. Arsenault, 84, veteran of the Korean War

Wounded in one battle, in another “he ran and weaved through enemy lines to escape.”

Alberta and Joseph Arsenault.
Alberta and Joseph Arsenault.Read moreby family

Joseph A. Arsenault was barely out of high school when he was sent to fight in the Battle of Pusan, to stop the invading North Korean army from capturing the South. It was there that a bullet went through his shoulder in September 1950.

The next month, after recuperating at a military hospital in Japan, Mr. Arsenault, a private, went back to the front, rejoining his Eighth Army, Second Infantry Division, and the Marines. They came under heavy fire as North Korean and Chinese troops launched an ambush in November 1950 during the Battle of Kunu-Ri. The adversaries encircled the American soldiers and their allies, blocking retreat routes. They were under such heavy attack that they were ordered to burn the infantry flag and colors, to prevent the Chinese from confiscating them as trophies.

"A lot of his unit was killed or captured," said Mr. Arsenault's son, Paul. "He ran and weaved through enemy lines to escape."

Mr. Arsenault, 84, of Clayton, died Tuesday, April 4, from Alzheimer's disease.

He was born and raised in Berlin, N.H., and met his wife of nearly 63 years, Alberta "Bert" Drew, through mutual friends in New Hampshire. The couple moved to Clayton 59 years ago, raising  daughter Lori and son Joseph in addition to Paul. He loved children, including his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

"He was a great dad, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather," said his daughter.

"He was the baby whisperer," added Paul Arsenault.

Alberta Arsenault said her husband was unusual in the 1950s in sharing in household responsibilities -- cleaning, cooking, laundry, and caring for the children. He worked for New Jersey Bell and later Verizon for 34 years, with jobs that included climbing poles, making line and telephone installations, and being a technician. His family recalled when Mr. Arsenault installed a phone for television personality Sally Starr.

Mr. Arsenault also served in the Clayton Police Reserve and Ambulance Corps, and was a civil defense and HAM radio operator during the Cold War. In 1955, he earned a private pilot's license, flying mostly small airplanes, and belonged to the Experimental Aircraft Association, Cross Keys Chapter.

In his younger years, he coached Clayton Little League for 10 years, and also played many string instruments, including the pedal steel guitar in the country band Just Reward.

Mr. Arsenault received numerous recognitions for his military service from 1949 to 1952. He earned a Korea Service Medal with one Silver Service star, the U.N. Service Medal, a Purple Heart, a Presidential Unit Citation, and one Overseas Bar, according to military records.

His family said Mr. Arsenault's Purple Heart was also recognized on Sept. 2, 2003, with an American flag flown over the Capitol in his honor. Twice, they said, he was flown to South Korea to commemorate the burning of the colors.

Besides his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, he is survived by a sister and two brothers.

A viewing is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 7, at Budd Funeral Home, 522 Salem Ave., Woodbury, N.J. 08096, and 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, April 8, at St. Michael the Archangel/St. Catherine of Siena Church, Delsea Drive, Clayton. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11. Burial with full military honors will be at Gloucester County Veterans Cemetery, Williamstown.

Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia 19106 or ALZ.org/DELVAL.

Condolences to the family may be shared at buddfuneralhome.com or by mail to the funeral home at the address above.