Sp5 Lorne Jay Sipperley

VIETNAM: US ARMY, SP/5 Lorne Jay Sipperley, 16731165, Born: 19 Mar 1945, Son of Loren Herbert Sipperley and Callie Faye, Died: 27 Apr 1969, Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam Buried: Clearwater Township cemetery, Kalkaska County, Michigan.

MICHIGAN / SP5 11 ARMD CAV REGT / VIETNAM / DFC - BSM & OLC - AM & 20 OLC - 2 PH

Distinguished Flying Cross
POSTED ON 4/27/15 - BY A GRATEFUL VIETNAM VET
Lorne Jay Sipperley
Date of birth: March 19, 1945
Date of death: April 27, 1969
Home of record: Grand Rapids Michigan
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Specialist Fifth Class Lorne Jay Sipperley (ASN: RA-16731165), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty on 27 April 1969 while serving as an aerial observer with the Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date the helicopter on which Specialist Sipperley was flying was called to support friendly ground troops which had come in contact with a large enemy force and were pinned down by automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire. While the aircraft made treetop level passes over the battle area, Specialist Sipperley leaned outside his ship to mark the hostile positions with smoke grenades and to place suppressive fire on the enemy below. Despite intense hostile fire directed at the helicopter, Specialist Sipperley continued to provide cover fire while the friendly ground forces withdrew in preparation for airstrikes. While making a final pass over the contact area, his aircraft was hit by hostile fire, and he was fatally injured in the ensuing crash. Specialist Five Sipperley's outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders No. 1262 (May 24, 1969)

Action Date: April 27, 1969

Service: Army
Rank: Specialist Fifth Class
Company: Air Cavalry Troop
Regiment: 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment


Services Set for Soldier

KALKASKA — Military funeral services tor Sgt. Lorne J. Sipperly, 24. of Grand Rapids, a former resident of the Grand Traverse area, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Schwartz-Wolfe funeral home in Kalkaska.

A U.S. Army chaplain will officiate at the services, with burial in Clearwater township cemetery. Kalkaska County. Sgt. Sipperly died April 25 in the crash of a helicopter near the Demilitarized Zone in Vietnam, where he was serving as an air crewman with the 1st Air Cavalry.

Before enlisting in the U.S. Army at the age of 17, Sgt. Sipperly had lived at Rapid City and Traverse City. Wounded in action last summer, he had just recently volunteered to return to combat.

Sgt. Sipperly was the holder of two Bronze Stars and a South Vietnamese award for gallantry. Traverse City Record Eagle May 6, 1969

Former Rapid City Man Dies in Vietnam

Sgt. Lorne J. Sipperley, 24, of Grand Rapids, a former Traverse City and Rapid City resident, died Friday, April 25, 1969 in a helicopter crash near the Demilitarized Zone in Viet Nam while serving with the U. S. Army's 1st Air Calvary Division. His father, Lorne H. Sipperley of Grand Rapids, was notified last Wednesday of his son's death, Sgt. Sipperley was a once wounded Viet Nam War veteran who volunteered to return to combat duty. His father said the sergeant had previously served some 10 months in Viet Nam and volunteered to return about a month ago. He was reported to have suffered chest and arm wounds last July while a member of a long-range patrol with Special Forces attached to the 1st Cavalry and was sent home.

Sgt. Sipperley was awarded the Bronze Star twice for gallantry and also was the holder of a South Viet Nam Gallantry Award

He was a native of Wayne and lived at Rapid City and Traverse City prior to moving to Grand Rapids, He enlisted in the Army at the age of 17 and served three years in Germany with a tank unit. At the time of his death, he was a helicopter crewman.

Surviving, besides the father, are a brother, Charles, of Grand Rapids; three sisters, Loma and Nancy at home and Mrs. Dick Jennett of Grawn; two half-sisters, Mrs. Peg Norton of Rapid City and Pat Musser of Detroit; and a grandmother, Mrs. Charles H, Sipperley of Rapid City, His mother preceded him in death in October of 1964, Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 8, 1969 from the Schwartz-Wolfe Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. Burial was in the Clearwater Township cemetery. Leader & Kalkaskian 5/8/1969