Joe Allen Vinyard

Corporal Joe Allen Vinyard, age 23 of Loudon County, TN was killed in action in World War II in Gey, Germany on December 11, 1944, earning the Purple Heart for his injuries. Joe was born on June 21, 1921. He enlisted in the Army on August 13, 1942, at the age of 21 at Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia. He was sent to Germany, in the village of Strass and Gey, Hurtgen Forest Germany with the A/744 tank battalion. His tank was struck and disabled by an 88 mm round forcing the crew to evacuate. Four of the crewmen made it out of the tank but Joe did not. Joe was listed as MIA on December 11, 1944. On April 18, 1946, Joe was declared deceased. After the war when the battlefields were being cleared, the tank was dismantled, and they found some remains and a small piece of a uniform. With the latest DNA technology, the Army was able to obtain the DNA of Joe’s last living sister, Johnnie Cannon and match it to the DNA they were able to obtain from Joe’s remains. Joe’s parents and his six sisters have all passed away. Joe is preceded by his parents, Joe Henry Vinyard and Fannie Mae Atkins Vinyard, sisters, Pearl Goodson, Edith Goodson, Alice McKee, Ruth McKee, Ernestine Usery, Johnnie Cannon. He is survived by several nieces and nephews and cousins. A ceremony to honor Joe’s life and ultimate sacrifice to our nation will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at 3:00 PM at Grandview Pavilion with full military honors and Rev. David Oliver officiating. Interment will follow. Family and friends are welcome to attend as we celebrate finally being able to bring Joe home.  Smith Funeral & Cremation Service 865-983-1000 www.smithlifeandlegacy.com