Joseph P. Minnock was born on January 19, 1947. He was first generation Scottish from Newark, NJ. His family moved to Cranford when he was a teenager. Joseph’s home of record is Cranford, NJ. He had one brother, James.
Minnock attended Cranford High School but dropped out to enlist in the US Army. He attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC). He served with the 1st Cavalry, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, Charlie Company.
Minnock was killed in action on November 6, 1965. His parents died in 1969 only days apart. They never recovered from the death of their youngest son. He is buried at Beverly National Cemetery.
Minnock is remembered in We Were Soldiers…Once and Young as one of the many that were killed in the Battle for the Ia Drang Valley.
Information provided by Michael Smith (cousin) and NJVVMF, Photo from VVMF.
12/17/2024
