Pfc. Charles L. Slack, Jr., 19, was killed at 3:25 pm on Feb. 15, 1967, while on a combat operation with the U.S. Army when he was hit by fragments from a hostile grenade. He was serving as a member of Company A., 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade. (Served from 6/22/1966 to 2/15/1967 - Died at Tah Ninh Province, Southeastern Vietnam).
Charles Slack (known as "Chuckie" to his family) was born in New Castle, PA, Oct. 26, 1947 to Charles L. Slack, Sr., and the former Emily Meeks. He graduated from New Castle High School in June 1965 and enlisted in the Army in August, 1965. He received his Airborne Training at Ft. Benning, GA.
Pfc. Slack was a member of Mahoning Methodist Church. Surviving are his parents; five sisters: Mrs. Benjamin (Mildred "Millie") Bennett of New Castle; Dorothy Jean (Million), Peggy Irene (Stull), Fay Ellen (Bashour) and Laurie Ann (Oster), all at home; three brothers, David Leslie, Gary Wayne and Brian Edward, at home; and his grandparents, Mrs. Laura Slack of New Castle and Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Meeks of Burbage, England. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Caskey Kildoo Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. James R. Rainey of Mahoning Methodist Church and Rev. Howard V. Sartell of Calvary Independent Church officiating.
See Listing at www.VirtualWall.org, Panel 15E, Line 036.
and www.vvmf.org Photo & Info: at
www.173d.com/memorial/slackcljr.htm "He died while aiding my wounds. A Hero...." Wayne McLeister, First Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired), 39th Scout Dog Platoon (1966-1967)
Wayne McLeister: "I only knew him a few minutes as he was assigned to be my bodyguard along with my dog. I was wounded in the face but yet he stayed with me. We were pinned down just feet from a bunker and were preparing to move when the firing started. From accounts from another, when we started to move the VC dropped a hand grenade and Charles jumped on it and died instantly saving me and my dog...To me, he is my HERO and one that will be with me forever." Posted 2/11/2012 Wayne McLeister, Princeton, Texas.
(Read 3 more stories about Charles and his family and the Reunion with Wayne McLeister in the New Castle News, New Castle, PA, http://www.ncnewsonline.com February-June, 2012). See Youtube video of graveside memorial service held June 25, 2012, Search: Wayne McLeister.)
Comment also by Fellow Soldier, George Paskins, 173rd Airborne Brigade: "A good man and a fine soldier. You are missed."
See also: http://www.skysoldier17.com. 173rd Vietnam Operations, Reporting on Operation Big Spring from 30 Jan - 16 Feb, 1967, War Zone "D": Operation Big Spring, was a Search and Destroy and Bushmaster operation in War Zone D. The 1st Battalion moved into AO 3 on multiple LZ's."..." Twenty-six base camps were discovered in "D" Zone, and enemy troops were often encountered during the search of these camps. Brigade elements located and destroyed over 1,000 bunkers, 78 huts, more than 24 tons of rice and 24 weapons...", specifically see Actions Report, 1st Battalion, 173d Airborne Brigade, 503rd Infantry. Jan-Dec. 67: "15 Feb 67 - A Co engaged and killed 1 VC and captured a Chicom carbine as the Company was preparing for redeployment to Bien Hoa the following day. A Co later engaged an unknown number of VC in a heavily booby trapped area, resulting in 1 US KIA and 8 US WIA."
That one soldier Killed in Action - Charles L. Slack, Jr., who gave his life to save fellow soldier, Wayne McLeister and McLeister's dog, Caesar.
Video Clip on Youtube: "Operation Big Spring: 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Vietnam War (1967) 22 minutes.
PFC Charles Leroy Slack earned the following Medals: Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Chuck is buried in New Castle, PA where the Slack Family still resides.
Charles Slack (known as "Chuckie" to his family) was born in New Castle, PA, Oct. 26, 1947 to Charles L. Slack, Sr., and the former Emily Meeks. He graduated from New Castle High School in June 1965 and enlisted in the Army in August, 1965. He received his Airborne Training at Ft. Benning, GA.
Pfc. Slack was a member of Mahoning Methodist Church. Surviving are his parents; five sisters: Mrs. Benjamin (Mildred "Millie") Bennett of New Castle; Dorothy Jean (Million), Peggy Irene (Stull), Fay Ellen (Bashour) and Laurie Ann (Oster), all at home; three brothers, David Leslie, Gary Wayne and Brian Edward, at home; and his grandparents, Mrs. Laura Slack of New Castle and Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Meeks of Burbage, England. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Caskey Kildoo Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. James R. Rainey of Mahoning Methodist Church and Rev. Howard V. Sartell of Calvary Independent Church officiating.
See Listing at www.VirtualWall.org, Panel 15E, Line 036.
and www.vvmf.org Photo & Info: at
www.173d.com/memorial/slackcljr.htm "He died while aiding my wounds. A Hero...." Wayne McLeister, First Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired), 39th Scout Dog Platoon (1966-1967)
Wayne McLeister: "I only knew him a few minutes as he was assigned to be my bodyguard along with my dog. I was wounded in the face but yet he stayed with me. We were pinned down just feet from a bunker and were preparing to move when the firing started. From accounts from another, when we started to move the VC dropped a hand grenade and Charles jumped on it and died instantly saving me and my dog...To me, he is my HERO and one that will be with me forever." Posted 2/11/2012 Wayne McLeister, Princeton, Texas.
(Read 3 more stories about Charles and his family and the Reunion with Wayne McLeister in the New Castle News, New Castle, PA, http://www.ncnewsonline.com February-June, 2012). See Youtube video of graveside memorial service held June 25, 2012, Search: Wayne McLeister.)
Comment also by Fellow Soldier, George Paskins, 173rd Airborne Brigade: "A good man and a fine soldier. You are missed."
See also: http://www.skysoldier17.com. 173rd Vietnam Operations, Reporting on Operation Big Spring from 30 Jan - 16 Feb, 1967, War Zone "D": Operation Big Spring, was a Search and Destroy and Bushmaster operation in War Zone D. The 1st Battalion moved into AO 3 on multiple LZ's."..." Twenty-six base camps were discovered in "D" Zone, and enemy troops were often encountered during the search of these camps. Brigade elements located and destroyed over 1,000 bunkers, 78 huts, more than 24 tons of rice and 24 weapons...", specifically see Actions Report, 1st Battalion, 173d Airborne Brigade, 503rd Infantry. Jan-Dec. 67: "15 Feb 67 - A Co engaged and killed 1 VC and captured a Chicom carbine as the Company was preparing for redeployment to Bien Hoa the following day. A Co later engaged an unknown number of VC in a heavily booby trapped area, resulting in 1 US KIA and 8 US WIA."
That one soldier Killed in Action - Charles L. Slack, Jr., who gave his life to save fellow soldier, Wayne McLeister and McLeister's dog, Caesar.
Video Clip on Youtube: "Operation Big Spring: 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Vietnam War (1967) 22 minutes.
PFC Charles Leroy Slack earned the following Medals: Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Chuck is buried in New Castle, PA where the Slack Family still resides.
Pfc. Charles L. Slack, Jr., 19, was killed at 3:25 pm on Feb. 15, 1967, while on a combat operation with the U.S. Army when he was hit by fragments from a hostile grenade. He was serving as a member of Company A., 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade. (Served from 6/22/1966 to 2/15/1967 - Died at Tah Ninh Province, Southeastern Vietnam).
Charles Slack (known as "Chuckie" to his family) was born in New Castle, PA, Oct. 26, 1947 to Charles L. Slack, Sr., and the former Emily Meeks. He graduated from New Castle High School in June 1965 and enlisted in the Army in August, 1965. He received his Airborne Training at Ft. Benning, GA.
Pfc. Slack was a member of Mahoning Methodist Church. Surviving are his parents; five sisters: Mrs. Benjamin (Mildred "Millie") Bennett of New Castle; Dorothy Jean (Million), Peggy Irene (Stull), Fay Ellen (Bashour) and Laurie Ann (Oster), all at home; three brothers, David Leslie, Gary Wayne and Brian Edward, at home; and his grandparents, Mrs. Laura Slack of New Castle and Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Meeks of Burbage, England. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Caskey Kildoo Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. James R. Rainey of Mahoning Methodist Church and Rev. Howard V. Sartell of Calvary Independent Church officiating.
See Listing at www.VirtualWall.org, Panel 15E, Line 036.
and www.vvmf.org Photo & Info: at
www.173d.com/memorial/slackcljr.htm "He died while aiding my wounds. A Hero...." Wayne McLeister, First Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired), 39th Scout Dog Platoon (1966-1967)
Wayne McLeister: "I only knew him a few minutes as he was assigned to be my bodyguard along with my dog. I was wounded in the face but yet he stayed with me. We were pinned down just feet from a bunker and were preparing to move when the firing started. From accounts from another, when we started to move the VC dropped a hand grenade and Charles jumped on it and died instantly saving me and my dog...To me, he is my HERO and one that will be with me forever." Posted 2/11/2012 Wayne McLeister, Princeton, Texas.
(Read 3 more stories about Charles and his family and the Reunion with Wayne McLeister in the New Castle News, New Castle, PA, http://www.ncnewsonline.com February-June, 2012). See Youtube video of graveside memorial service held June 25, 2012, Search: Wayne McLeister.)
Comment also by Fellow Soldier, George Paskins, 173rd Airborne Brigade: "A good man and a fine soldier. You are missed."
See also: http://www.skysoldier17.com. 173rd Vietnam Operations, Reporting on Operation Big Spring from 30 Jan - 16 Feb, 1967, War Zone "D": Operation Big Spring, was a Search and Destroy and Bushmaster operation in War Zone D. The 1st Battalion moved into AO 3 on multiple LZ's."..." Twenty-six base camps were discovered in "D" Zone, and enemy troops were often encountered during the search of these camps. Brigade elements located and destroyed over 1,000 bunkers, 78 huts, more than 24 tons of rice and 24 weapons...", specifically see Actions Report, 1st Battalion, 173d Airborne Brigade, 503rd Infantry. Jan-Dec. 67: "15 Feb 67 - A Co engaged and killed 1 VC and captured a Chicom carbine as the Company was preparing for redeployment to Bien Hoa the following day. A Co later engaged an unknown number of VC in a heavily booby trapped area, resulting in 1 US KIA and 8 US WIA."
That one soldier Killed in Action - Charles L. Slack, Jr., who gave his life to save fellow soldier, Wayne McLeister and McLeister's dog, Caesar.
Video Clip on Youtube: "Operation Big Spring: 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Vietnam War (1967) 22 minutes.
PFC Charles Leroy Slack earned the following Medals: Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Chuck is buried in New Castle, PA where the Slack Family still resides.
Charles Slack (known as "Chuckie" to his family) was born in New Castle, PA, Oct. 26, 1947 to Charles L. Slack, Sr., and the former Emily Meeks. He graduated from New Castle High School in June 1965 and enlisted in the Army in August, 1965. He received his Airborne Training at Ft. Benning, GA.
Pfc. Slack was a member of Mahoning Methodist Church. Surviving are his parents; five sisters: Mrs. Benjamin (Mildred "Millie") Bennett of New Castle; Dorothy Jean (Million), Peggy Irene (Stull), Fay Ellen (Bashour) and Laurie Ann (Oster), all at home; three brothers, David Leslie, Gary Wayne and Brian Edward, at home; and his grandparents, Mrs. Laura Slack of New Castle and Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Meeks of Burbage, England. Funeral arrangements were handled by the Caskey Kildoo Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. James R. Rainey of Mahoning Methodist Church and Rev. Howard V. Sartell of Calvary Independent Church officiating.
See Listing at www.VirtualWall.org, Panel 15E, Line 036.
and www.vvmf.org Photo & Info: at
www.173d.com/memorial/slackcljr.htm "He died while aiding my wounds. A Hero...." Wayne McLeister, First Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired), 39th Scout Dog Platoon (1966-1967)
Wayne McLeister: "I only knew him a few minutes as he was assigned to be my bodyguard along with my dog. I was wounded in the face but yet he stayed with me. We were pinned down just feet from a bunker and were preparing to move when the firing started. From accounts from another, when we started to move the VC dropped a hand grenade and Charles jumped on it and died instantly saving me and my dog...To me, he is my HERO and one that will be with me forever." Posted 2/11/2012 Wayne McLeister, Princeton, Texas.
(Read 3 more stories about Charles and his family and the Reunion with Wayne McLeister in the New Castle News, New Castle, PA, http://www.ncnewsonline.com February-June, 2012). See Youtube video of graveside memorial service held June 25, 2012, Search: Wayne McLeister.)
Comment also by Fellow Soldier, George Paskins, 173rd Airborne Brigade: "A good man and a fine soldier. You are missed."
See also: http://www.skysoldier17.com. 173rd Vietnam Operations, Reporting on Operation Big Spring from 30 Jan - 16 Feb, 1967, War Zone "D": Operation Big Spring, was a Search and Destroy and Bushmaster operation in War Zone D. The 1st Battalion moved into AO 3 on multiple LZ's."..." Twenty-six base camps were discovered in "D" Zone, and enemy troops were often encountered during the search of these camps. Brigade elements located and destroyed over 1,000 bunkers, 78 huts, more than 24 tons of rice and 24 weapons...", specifically see Actions Report, 1st Battalion, 173d Airborne Brigade, 503rd Infantry. Jan-Dec. 67: "15 Feb 67 - A Co engaged and killed 1 VC and captured a Chicom carbine as the Company was preparing for redeployment to Bien Hoa the following day. A Co later engaged an unknown number of VC in a heavily booby trapped area, resulting in 1 US KIA and 8 US WIA."
That one soldier Killed in Action - Charles L. Slack, Jr., who gave his life to save fellow soldier, Wayne McLeister and McLeister's dog, Caesar.
Video Clip on Youtube: "Operation Big Spring: 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Vietnam War (1967) 22 minutes.
PFC Charles Leroy Slack earned the following Medals: Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Chuck is buried in New Castle, PA where the Slack Family still resides.
