Merrel Gerald Durant Sarvela
Era: Vietnam
Military Branch: Army
SARVELA, Merrel Gerald
Merrel Gerald Sarvela was born on March 17th 1948 to Sulo Herbert & Edith Katherine [Haglund] Sarvela in Moose Lake, Minnesota.
Mr. Savela enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His tour of Vietnam began on August 12th 1968. He was assigned to Troop 'A', 4th Cavalry, 3rd Squadron, 25th Infantry Division. His specialty was that of a Armor Intelligence Specialist. He rose to the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
On September 22nd 1968 PFC Sarvela was tragically killed by small arms fire while serving in action in the Hua Nghia Province of South Vietnam. He was just 20 years of age.
He earned the following merits for his service:
- National Defense Service Medal,
- Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
- Vietnam Service Medal,
- Vietnam Campaign Medal, -and-
- Purple Heart.
PFC Sarvela's body was recovered, returned home and buried at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Moose Lake, Minnesota. He is honored on the National Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall in Washington DC. He is also honored on the Wall of Remembrance in the Veterans Memorial Hall Gallery at the DEPOT in Duluth, Minnesota.
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Sarvela, Merrel Gerald Durant, PFC: PERSON, pictures and information - Fold3 - Fold3
PFC Merrel Gerald Sarvela (1948-1968) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 - Ancestry.com
