RIVERA, JOE LEWIS “CORKY”

COMBAT INFANTRYMANS BADGE, BRONZE STAR PURPLE HEART WITH OAK LEAF CLUSTER, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL, VIETNAM MILITARY MERIT MEDAL, VIETNAM CROSS OF GALLANTRY WITH PALM, VIETNAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL

Joe Lewis Rivera was born in Balmorhea, Reeves County, Texas and spent his youth in Kermit. He was known by his nick name, Corky. He attended Kermit schools and was active in football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from Kermit High School in late 68. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1969.
He completed basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas and AIT in infantry at Fort Ord, California. He began his tour in Vietnam on November 21, 1969. He was assigned as an infantryman with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. He was killed in a firefight with NVA forces on February 25, 1970.
Joe received a posthumous promotion to Corporal and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. He was buried with full military honors in Kermit, Texas. He was survived by his parents, his brothers: David, Danny, Billy, and Bobby of the home, Tommy of the U.S. Army stationed in Hawaii, Gilbert in El Paso, Manual of Paramount, California and Joe Jr. of Bellflower, California and his sister, Alice Ortega of Kermit.