LDVA Working with State Partners to Protect Grave of Korean War Soldier PFC Samuel Pierre Jr.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2026 RELEASE # 20260023
By Daniele Palen, Director of Communications, LDVA
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) is working with state partners to protect the grave of PFC Samuel Pierre Jr., a U.S. Army soldier who was killed in action in Korea in 1952 and is buried at Sweet Olive Cemetery in Baton Rouge. Photographs show that the brick burial structure over his grave has collapsed, leaving his casket exposed. LDVA recently learned of the grave’s condition and is moving as quickly as the law allows to repair the grave or relocate PFC Pierre in the most respectful way possible.
LDVA is working with the Office of the Governor, the Louisiana Cemetery Board, and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, which will help ensure that all actions comply with Louisiana law.
“No grave should ever look like this, but it is even harder to accept when it is a hero who was killed in action,” said Secretary Charlton Meginley. “Our fallen and their Gold Star families have given this country everything, and they deserve better than this. We will not tolerate or accept this for our veterans. We are doing everything in our power to move expeditiously and get this resolved in a way that honors PFC Pierre with the dignity he has earned.”
The Louisiana Cemetery Board has advised LDVA that relocating remains would require court approval. Any action will comply fully with Louisiana cemetery, public health, and historic preservation laws.
A 1952 newspaper report states that PFC Pierre was 22 when he died in Korea on July 1. Born in New Orleans, he grew up in Baton Rouge, attended McKinley High School, graduated from Gaudet High School in New Orleans, and attended Southern University. He entered the Army in April 1951 and was sent to Korea that November. LDVA’s research has not identified any living immediate family members. His mother’s obituary shows that she died in 1970, his father would be well over 100 years old today, and no spouse, children, or siblings were named in records from the time.
LDVA will provide updates as the situation develops.
Louisiana is home to approximately 250,000 veterans. The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs serves veterans and their families through a statewide network of benefits counselors, state veterans homes, state veterans cemeteries, and educational-support programs.
Please visit https://vetaffairs.la.gov/news for the latest Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs releases, photos, and videos.
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