Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Jack Hummel never talked much about his military service during the Korean Conflict in the early 1950s. In the fashion of many veterans who fought in wars, the details were seldom shared, said his son, Jerry Hummel.

It was that way around Hummelís home in Forest Lake and even around the campfire during hunting outings, his son said. Hummel this week said his father, who died on Dec. 30 from a heart attack at age 76, was a soft spoken, gentle and quiet man.

ìBut he always had a strong presence in any group,î Jerry Hummel said.

Jack Hummel spent two years in the Army and served a tour of duty in Korea. For much of his time in Korea, he was a forward observer with D. Company, 279th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

Upon his death last week, Jerry Hummel said his fatherís military records indicate Jack Hummel was awarded two Bronze Stars and a combat infantrymanís badge for his service. Records indicate one Bronze Star was awarded for knocking out a Communist Chinese machine gun nest while under heavy enemy fire.

ìHe never really talked much about his military service,î his son said. There were occasional conversations that touched on military service when the two men were alone in the boat or on hunting trips, but the details were few.

ìHe was just quiet,î Jerry Hummel said. ìThey were the ones (soldiers) who saw more than they should have.î

South Dakota born

Jacob ìJackî Hummel was born on Jan. 20, 1929 near Timber Lake, SD in northcentral South Dakota. He grew up on a small family farm and was one of nine children in the Hummel family.

He graduated from Timber Lake High School and spent his early years working in a grocery story and a butcher shop. After high school, he worked for the federal Civilian Conservation Corps installing power lines in South Dakota.

Hummel was drafted into the Army in 1951 just in time for the Korean Conflict. He spent most of 1952 in Korea with the 101st Army Airborne.

After the war, Hummel returned to South Dakota and began a career in the insurance business. He worked for two major companies, including Pacific Standard Life Insurance Co.

Hummel and his wife Pearl moved to Forest Lake from Watertown, SD, in 1967. His work career continued until retirement in 1989.

In his retirement years, Hummel loved to spend time with his family and with his hobbies of woodworking, hunting and fishing.

He was a lifetime member of The American Legion and a member of American Legion Post 225 in Forest Lake. He was a 46-year member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Peterís Catholic Church in Forest Lake.

Funeral details

A Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Jan. 2 at St. Peterís Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Pearl, daughters Candy (Terry) Sauter of Oklahoma and Bobbi (Paul) Frederickson, Wyoming; son Jerry (Lezlee Hustad) Hummel, Savage; grandchildren Cassey, Tony, Kelli, Kevin and Jacob; sisters Rose and Maggie and brother Joe.

A private interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.

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Forest Lake Times
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Forest Lake, MN 55025
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