Corporal Pfliger was a member of the 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy near Chochiwon, South Korea on 11 July 1950.

Pfliger was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.