Bernard Ulrich Stavely

The grave of PFC Bernard U. Stavely, the 9th member of his family to serve in the USMC.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Private First Class in the United States Marine Corps who was killed in Korea on September 1, 1950.

Place of Birth:

Hyattsville, Maryland

Date of Birth:

November 21, 1929

Place of Death:

South Korea

Date of Death:

September 1, 1950

Place of Burial:

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Cemetery Name:

Gettysburg National Cemetery

Section 2, Row 5, Grave 47

In the long and storied history of Gettysburg National Cemetery, there are many reminders of the familial connections highlighted by service and sacrifice. The story of Bernard Ulrich Stavely and his Marine Corps family is one of them.

Bernard Stavely was born in Hyattsville, Maryland, on November 21, 1929. His father, Harry, was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served in the First World War. Serving as a Marine became a family tradition for the Stavelys--Bernard's three older brothers were Marines in World War II, as was his sister, Charlotte, and his cousin, Donald. Another brother served as a Marine in Korea as well.

Bernard followed in his family's footsteps and enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 2, 1948. Little did he know at the time that two years later, the United States found itself once again fighting a major conflict on the other side of the globe. In the summer of 1950, Bernard served with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. His unit was among those sent to Korea in response to the North Korea invasion of the South. On September 1, 1950, as U.S. and UN forces held on to their defensive positions near Pusan in South Korea, Bernard Stavely was killed in action. While he was not the first member of his family to serve as a Marine, he was the first to die wearing the globe and anchor. 

While he was initially listed as missing in action, by December 1950, news arrived home that Bernard had indeed been killed. 

After his initial burial in a United Nations cemetery, Bernard's remains were brought home to the United States in the summer of 1951. His family selected Gettysburg National Cemetery as his final resting place. 

On June 28, 1951, a Reqieum Mass was held for Bernard at the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Gettysburg. 

That same day, Bernard was laid to rest in Section 2 of Gettysburg National Cemetery. At his funeral, there was a stunning site that displayed the familial ties that represented Bernard's life and his service. All six pall bearers were wearing their Marine Corps dress blues--they were Bernard's four brothers, his uncle, and his cousin. All family members, and all United States Marines--gathered together to bury one of their own. 

Watching nearby was Bernard's sister Charlotte, who wore her Marine Corps uniform from her service in World War II. His father, Harry, did not wear his Marine uniform from World War I. He chose to wear civilian attire to the funeral of his son.  

This image from Bernard's funeral of six Marines--all family members of the deceased--wearing dress blues while folding an American flag appeared in newspapers across the country. It captured the tragedy and reverence of the moment, and the grief of a family united by love, service, and sacrifice. 

Bernard Stavely would not be the last member of his family to serve in the Marine Corps, or the last member to be buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery. His nephew, Harry Walter Stavely III, served as a Private First Class, Company C, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division. He died from a gunshot wound while training at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, on January 26, 1964. PCF Harry Stavely III is buried in Section 5, Row 3, Grave 4 of Gettysburg National Cemetery.

The funeral of PFC Bernard Stavely on June 28, 1951. All six pall bearers were United States Marines, and also family members of Bernard. 
Hanover Evening Sun Photograph.