Private First Class Overbay was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a Light Weapons Infantryman with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in South Korea. His brother, Charles M. Overbay, was killed in Korea a year later.
35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division
Light Weapons Infantryman
Jacob Kenneth ‘Ken’ Overbay was the husband of Unav Greene and father of Larry Kenneth Overbay.
The Kingsport Times-News, March 11, 1951
Pfc. Jacob Kenneth Overbay, 28, was killed in action in Korea on February 2, 1951.
A World War II veteran of three years’ service, part of which was spent in the Pacific area, Pfc. Overbay had been awarded five major battle stars. He was a member of the Resereves and was called back into the service October 12, 1950. He received 11 days of infantry training at Camp Hood, Texas, and was sent to Korea. Prior to entering the service Pfc. Overbay was an employe of Tennessee Eastman Company. He attended Blountville High School and was a member of the Sunnyside Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Unav Greene Overbay, one son, Larry Kenneth Overbay, 4, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.R. Overbay, three sisters, Misses Edith Overbay and Miss Rudy Overbay of Kingsport and Mrs. Lucille Nickelson of Bal Talz, Germany, four brothers, J.D. Overbay, Paul Overbay, and Verling Overbay, Kingsport, Pvt. Charles M. Overbay, U.S. Army. He is also survived by one half brother, Blain Overbay, and two half sisters, Mrs. Isaac Cox and Mrs. Roy Moore.
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 4 September 1922
- Date of death: 3 February 1951
- County: Sullivan
- Hometown: Kingsport
- Service Branch: Army
- Division/Assignment: 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
- Conflict: Korean War
- Awards: Purple Heart, Combat Infantrymans Badge, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, and World War II Victory Medal
- Burial/Memorial Location: Gunnings Cemetery, Sullivan County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XXI, Middle Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Jacob K. Overbay
Image Gallery
Click a thumbnail below to view at full size.
