Rainer K. Morgan – Sergeant, United States Army

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Full Name: RAINER K MORGAN

Date of Birth: 9/1/1944
Date of Casualty: 1/8/1968
Home of Record: MCGUIRE AFB, NEW JERSEY
Branch of Service: ARMY
Rank: SGT
Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM
Casualty Province: LONG AN

The deaths of two other state men were reported yesterday. They were Army Sergeant Rainier K. Morgan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claire Morgan of Sumner, Pierce County, Washington, and Army Corporal Phelon H. Cole, son of Mrs. Edward Spruill, Tacoma, Washington, both reported dead of hostile action. They previously had been reported missing. (Seattle Times, Seattle, Washington, 16 January 1968).

Sumner, Washington, Man Killed in Vietnam.

Army Sergeant Rainer K. Morgan, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claire Morgan of Sumner, has been reported killed in action in Vietnam, the Department of Defense announced Monday. Morgan, who had joined the Army in September 1966 and served in Vietnam since last October, was reported killed while on patrol in the Mekong Delta. He had previously been listed as missing in action.

Surviving, besides his parents, are a sister, Barbara Ann, 18, and a brother, Roy Allen, 8.  (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma Washington, 16 January 1968).

Rainer K. Morgan was born on September 1, 1944, in Germany. His father was killed in World War II.  His mother met a serviceman while stationed in Germany, and shortly after their marriage, was adopted by him and was given the last name Morgan.  In 1949, his parents were shipped stateside and he had to adapt to American schools and living away from his grandparents.

Rainer was a great big brother by always being there for his sister, Barbara and brother, Roy. He taught them how to bat a ball, play marbles, climb trees and all those things big brothers do.

Morgan served in the US Army and his home of record is McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey. He attained the rank of Sergeant.  We will always remember the day he boarded a train for California for his tour in Vietnam.

Morgan was killed in action on January 8, 1968.  He was survived by his parents, Claire and Erna Morgan, and his two siblings.

Information provided by Barbara Billingsley (sister) and NJVVMF.

On 08 January 1968 the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry, lost 15 men in an engagement west of Rach Kien:

A Company:
Sergeant Rainer K. Morgan, McGuire AFB, New Jersey
Specialist 4 Russell K. Blatz, Lynchburg, Virginia
Specialist 4 Robert L. Crawley, Baraboo, Wisconsin
Corporal Donald W. Keep, Freeport, Illinois
Specialist 4 Stephen J. Stewart, Clinton, Missouri
Corporal Robert E. Young, Silverbell, Arizona

B Company:
Specialist 4 William E. Tieman, Delanco, New Jersey
Private First Class Jarold E. Humphrey, Greenville, California
Private First Class Paul J. Lively, Cynthiana, Kentucky
Private First Class Ronnie D. Pendergraft, Clovis, California
Privte First Class Daniel Reese, Bassfield, Mississippi
Private First Class Donald Wooley, Siluria, Alabama
Private First Class Robert L. Wright, Gardner, Illinois

HQ Company:
Private First Class Daniel R. Bowman, Elberton, Georgia
Private First Class Roger C. Foxworth, Dearborn, Michigan

MORGAN, RAINIER K

  • SGT CO E 3D BN INF DIV USA
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 09/01/1944
  • DATE OF DEATH: 01/08/1968
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 31  SITE 6518-L
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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