Jesse was one battle short of a rotation home.

Joseph Jesse Fugate was born in Fresno, California, on December 24, 1929, to Mr. and Mrs. Archie B. Fugate. The Fugate family also included a son Edward and a daughter Grace. He and his siblings were raised and attended school in California's Central Valley. The Fugate family later moved to Santa Cruz in order to live closer to Mrs. Fugate's parents.

In March 1951, Jesse received his induction notice and returned to Fresno where he enlisted in the US Army. After completing basic and advanced training, he was shipped to Korea on August 6, 1951, to join the 8th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division. When Private Fugate joined his unit, it had been in Korea for 500 days and was in a reserve position preparing to move against Line Jamestown.

“On 05 October, the 8th Cavalry recaptured Hill 418, a flanking hill on which the northern end of Line Jamestown was anchored. On 10-11 October the Chinese counterattacked twice, unsuccessfully against the 7th Cavalry. Two days later, the 8th Cavalry took the central pivot of the line, Hill 272. The southern end of Line Jamestown, along with a hill called "Old Baldy" [Hill 341], eventually fell to the determined 8th Cavalry troopers. The troopers did not know it, but Line Jamestown would be their last major combat of the Korean War.”

On October 17, 1951, Private First Class Joseph Jesse Fugate was killed in action while fighting the enemy near "Old Baldy" [Hill 346]. His body was recovered and returned to Fresno for burial. His awards include the Purple Heart.

(CBR; ABMC, NARAK; SCSn February 3, 1952 2:3; History. Army.Mil, .25th Infantry Division in the Korean War http://www.first-team.us/journals/8th_rgmt/8thndx03.html)