Moras Albert Soetaert

Moras Albert Soetaert was born January 23, 1925, on the family farm located in the East Bottoms (aka the Belgian Bottoms) of Kansas City, Missouri. He was the second of five children born to the late Peter and Julma (Corteville) Soetaert. He was known by Moras to most, but his siblings always called him “Luke”. As immigrants from Belgium following World War I, Moras' parents settled in the rich farmland near the Missouri River to begin a farm and this is where Moras spent his childhood. As was common in those days, upon completion of 8th grade, he worked on the family farm often driving a team of horses, then later a truck, to the City Market.

At the age of 18, Moras was drafted and served in the US Marine Corps in both World War II and then the Korean War. He was awarded 5 Battle Stars representing major battles in those wars. During WWII, he was in the 14th Marine Regiment Artillery and fought in the Marshall Islands (Roi & Namur), Marianas Islands (Saipan and Tinian) and most notably Iwo Jima. It was told that while on Iwo Jima, an enemy artillery shell fell less than 6 feet from him. Everyone jumped into the nearest fox hole. When it was safe to come out, they looked around but did not see Moras. They finally saw him and discovered he had run swiftly and jumped into a foxhole on the far side of the Battery. From then on, he was called “Speedy” by everyone. Following the five weeks of battles on Iwo Jima, they were preparing to invade Japan when the war ended.

Moras then returned home. His father had died while he was gone, so Moras worked on the family farm until he found a job as a Lineman for the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1947, he enlisted in the US Marines Corps Reserves to earn extra money. In February, 1950, Moras married Hazel Marie McMillan. They had just begun their life together when the Korean war broke out and Moras was once again called to active duty.

Moras was sent to San Diego, California. Because of his vast experience from WWII in the use of weapons, he was assigned to train the young artillery recruits before they left. In spite of the Military’s promise to not send him overseas to fight, they decided they needed him, and he was off to fight in Korea. Moras fought with the 1st Marine Division in the disastrous battle of Chosin Reservoir, Nov. 26 - Dec. 11, 1950. The Army and Marines found themselves vastly outnumbered and surrounded by the Red Chinese who had joined the war and the North Korean armies. During their battle to reach the coast, a blizzard hit. Battling overwhelming odds, the “Frozen Chosin”, as they were later called, attacked continuously as they moved towards the coast for evacuation. Over 10,000 men lost their lives in battle and 7,000 froze to death. Out of Moras’ platoon, only a few survived. He was frostbitten on his hands and feet which continued to bother him later in life. Having served in both wars and with some close calls, Moras miraculously was never wounded.

Moras returned to the US before the end of the war as his mother was critically ill. She recovered and he was once again assigned to training recruits. When his enlistment time was over, the Marines asked him if he would reenlist. He asked them if they could guarantee him that he would not have to return to Korea, they replied that they couldn’t. He declined, as he felt he had been extremely lucky and didn’t want his luck to run out in another war.

Moras and his wife, Hazel, then settled down to raise a large family that grew to three sons and a daughter. He had returned to being a Lineman for the railroad, but the cold caused him pain from the frostbite. In 1952, he began working in the produce warehouse for Milgram’s Grocers. Later he became a truck driver for Milgram’s Trucking. He was a member of the Teamsters Union Local #4717 and stayed with the company for over 30 years until his retirement.

Growing up in a Belgium household, you were used to hard work, and it was expected. Being a “hard worker” was a badge of honor with the Belgians. And Moras was just that. Having a large family to provide for, his workday began at 5 am and almost always lasted longer than 8 hours. He worked overtime and sometimes Saturdays whenever he could to bring in the extra money. Sundays were set aside for church and visiting family. They were members of Nativity of Mary Catholic Church. Moras tried to find time from work to be with his wife and children whenever possible. For instance, all his sons were in the Boy Scouts. He became a scouting leader often driving the bus to scout camp. In the summer when his youngest son made Eagle Scout, Moras was awarded an Honorary Warrior in the Tribe of the Mic-O-Say at Camp Osceola, Missouri.

Tragedy struck that greatly impacted the entire family when his oldest son, Moras, Jr. was killed in a car accident at the age of 18. It was a dark time for them. Later, when the kids had grown, Moras and Hazel were constant companions. It could be observed that they were never far apart from one another - even to the very end of their lives. They were happily married for over 71 years. Hazel died just 22 days before Moras. It was believed by some that he died of a broken heart.

Moras was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; their son, Moras Soetaert, Jr.; his brother, Albert Soetaert and sisters, Margaret Umphenour, Mary Landram, and Irene Ratchford. Moras leaves behind his children, Linda (Jimmy) Burton of Colonial Heights, Virginia; Bill (Rhonda) Soetaert of Independence, Missouri; and Michael (Susan) Soetaert of Portland, Oregon; as well as 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Moras will be missed and always remembered by many for his warm smile and unique laugh as well as his quiet manner and kind and humble spirit. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilleySheil.com for the Soetaert family.