From Texas Birth Records:
Father's Name: Henry Carl Letbetter
Mother's name: Aline Slider
1952 Graduate of Goldthwaite High School, attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He was married. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and loved it, re-enlisted 1958 and again in 1964. Member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.
Below is cited at www.virtualwall.org. Used with permission.
PERSONAL DATA:
Home of Record Goldthwaite, TX
Date of birth: 09/19/1934
This page Copyright© 1997-2013 www.VirtualWall.org
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E7
Rank/Rate: Sergeant First Class
ID No: 54148152
MOS/RATING: 11B4P: Infantryman (Airborne Qual)
Length Service: 10
Unit: 3RD PLT, C CO, 1ST BN, 5TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 10/20/1966
Incident Date: 11/21/1966
Casualty Date: 11/21/1966
Age at Loss: 32
Location: Pleiku Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dl/LetbetterBW01a.htm
ON THE WALL: Panel 12E Line 102
On November 17, 1966, three companies from the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, began reconnaissance in force operations in the southwestern corner of Pleiku Province along the Cambodian border in support of Operation Paul Revere IV. The companies were air assaulted into widely dispersed landing zones, and after four days of searching and reconnoitering, the 1/5th was scattered about their area of operations. On November 21st, Company C was situated in an ambush posture along a well-used trail they had discovered the previous day. During the morning, its three platoons resumed patrolling a short distance from the border. Small groups of enemy soldiers were observed, and the platoons maneuvered to gain fire superiority. Second Platoon was soon in contact. As Third Platoon moved across low ground beneath a hill to reach Second's location, they were ambushed by a superior-size force. They took cover and immediately returned fire. In a few moments, Third Platoon was taking heavy fire on three sides. While trying to fight their way to higher ground, the platoon was nearly wiped out. Only two men survived, one by smearing blood from his own wounds on his face and playing dead. The enemy moved in, killing the wounded, and picking up all their weapons and radio. Second Platoon was also heavily engaged in a wooded area; its First Squad was completely wiped out. In total, C-1/5 lost 33 men killed in action. They included SFC Bobby W. Letbetter, SSG Charles K. Malone, SSG Max M. Woodsmall, SGT Theodore A. Alkire Jr., SP4 Norman C. Farris (awarded the Bronze Star), SP4 Eugene E. Mitchell, SP4 James E. Smythe, SP4 Wilbert Stewart Jr., SP4 Lester E. Unger Jr., SP4 Donald G. Vernon, PFC Gary D. Byford, SP4 Louis Castillo, PFC Eduardo Chavez, PFC John M. Dalton (awarded the Silver Star), PFC Carlito L. Dorsey, PFC John L. Godfrey, PFC Ralls Hawkins, PFC Charles L. Hicks, PFC Harvey Johnson III, PFC Marion E. Johnson, PFC Carroll H. Jones, PFC Arnold R. Krasnoff, PFC Gamaliel Marcano-Diaz, PFC Larry D. Naasz, PFC Joseph L. Rabon, PFC Edward J. Scahill, PFC Joseph Scicutella, PFC Samuel W. Smith, PFC Andrew L. Stephens, PFC Clifford R. Stout, PFC Alvin B. Tucker, PFC George A. Turner (Forward Observer from B/1/77th Arty), and PFC John F. Waden. Eleven others were wounded.
Father's Name: Henry Carl Letbetter
Mother's name: Aline Slider
1952 Graduate of Goldthwaite High School, attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He was married. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and loved it, re-enlisted 1958 and again in 1964. Member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.
Below is cited at www.virtualwall.org. Used with permission.
PERSONAL DATA:
Home of Record Goldthwaite, TX
Date of birth: 09/19/1934
This page Copyright© 1997-2013 www.VirtualWall.org
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E7
Rank/Rate: Sergeant First Class
ID No: 54148152
MOS/RATING: 11B4P: Infantryman (Airborne Qual)
Length Service: 10
Unit: 3RD PLT, C CO, 1ST BN, 5TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 10/20/1966
Incident Date: 11/21/1966
Casualty Date: 11/21/1966
Age at Loss: 32
Location: Pleiku Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dl/LetbetterBW01a.htm
ON THE WALL: Panel 12E Line 102
On November 17, 1966, three companies from the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, began reconnaissance in force operations in the southwestern corner of Pleiku Province along the Cambodian border in support of Operation Paul Revere IV. The companies were air assaulted into widely dispersed landing zones, and after four days of searching and reconnoitering, the 1/5th was scattered about their area of operations. On November 21st, Company C was situated in an ambush posture along a well-used trail they had discovered the previous day. During the morning, its three platoons resumed patrolling a short distance from the border. Small groups of enemy soldiers were observed, and the platoons maneuvered to gain fire superiority. Second Platoon was soon in contact. As Third Platoon moved across low ground beneath a hill to reach Second's location, they were ambushed by a superior-size force. They took cover and immediately returned fire. In a few moments, Third Platoon was taking heavy fire on three sides. While trying to fight their way to higher ground, the platoon was nearly wiped out. Only two men survived, one by smearing blood from his own wounds on his face and playing dead. The enemy moved in, killing the wounded, and picking up all their weapons and radio. Second Platoon was also heavily engaged in a wooded area; its First Squad was completely wiped out. In total, C-1/5 lost 33 men killed in action. They included SFC Bobby W. Letbetter, SSG Charles K. Malone, SSG Max M. Woodsmall, SGT Theodore A. Alkire Jr., SP4 Norman C. Farris (awarded the Bronze Star), SP4 Eugene E. Mitchell, SP4 James E. Smythe, SP4 Wilbert Stewart Jr., SP4 Lester E. Unger Jr., SP4 Donald G. Vernon, PFC Gary D. Byford, SP4 Louis Castillo, PFC Eduardo Chavez, PFC John M. Dalton (awarded the Silver Star), PFC Carlito L. Dorsey, PFC John L. Godfrey, PFC Ralls Hawkins, PFC Charles L. Hicks, PFC Harvey Johnson III, PFC Marion E. Johnson, PFC Carroll H. Jones, PFC Arnold R. Krasnoff, PFC Gamaliel Marcano-Diaz, PFC Larry D. Naasz, PFC Joseph L. Rabon, PFC Edward J. Scahill, PFC Joseph Scicutella, PFC Samuel W. Smith, PFC Andrew L. Stephens, PFC Clifford R. Stout, PFC Alvin B. Tucker, PFC George A. Turner (Forward Observer from B/1/77th Arty), and PFC John F. Waden. Eleven others were wounded.
From Texas Birth Records:
Father's Name: Henry Carl Letbetter
Mother's name: Aline Slider
1952 Graduate of Goldthwaite High School, attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He was married. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and loved it, re-enlisted 1958 and again in 1964. Member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.
Below is cited at www.virtualwall.org. Used with permission.
PERSONAL DATA:
Home of Record Goldthwaite, TX
Date of birth: 09/19/1934
This page Copyright© 1997-2013 www.VirtualWall.org
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E7
Rank/Rate: Sergeant First Class
ID No: 54148152
MOS/RATING: 11B4P: Infantryman (Airborne Qual)
Length Service: 10
Unit: 3RD PLT, C CO, 1ST BN, 5TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 10/20/1966
Incident Date: 11/21/1966
Casualty Date: 11/21/1966
Age at Loss: 32
Location: Pleiku Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dl/LetbetterBW01a.htm
ON THE WALL: Panel 12E Line 102
On November 17, 1966, three companies from the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, began reconnaissance in force operations in the southwestern corner of Pleiku Province along the Cambodian border in support of Operation Paul Revere IV. The companies were air assaulted into widely dispersed landing zones, and after four days of searching and reconnoitering, the 1/5th was scattered about their area of operations. On November 21st, Company C was situated in an ambush posture along a well-used trail they had discovered the previous day. During the morning, its three platoons resumed patrolling a short distance from the border. Small groups of enemy soldiers were observed, and the platoons maneuvered to gain fire superiority. Second Platoon was soon in contact. As Third Platoon moved across low ground beneath a hill to reach Second's location, they were ambushed by a superior-size force. They took cover and immediately returned fire. In a few moments, Third Platoon was taking heavy fire on three sides. While trying to fight their way to higher ground, the platoon was nearly wiped out. Only two men survived, one by smearing blood from his own wounds on his face and playing dead. The enemy moved in, killing the wounded, and picking up all their weapons and radio. Second Platoon was also heavily engaged in a wooded area; its First Squad was completely wiped out. In total, C-1/5 lost 33 men killed in action. They included SFC Bobby W. Letbetter, SSG Charles K. Malone, SSG Max M. Woodsmall, SGT Theodore A. Alkire Jr., SP4 Norman C. Farris (awarded the Bronze Star), SP4 Eugene E. Mitchell, SP4 James E. Smythe, SP4 Wilbert Stewart Jr., SP4 Lester E. Unger Jr., SP4 Donald G. Vernon, PFC Gary D. Byford, SP4 Louis Castillo, PFC Eduardo Chavez, PFC John M. Dalton (awarded the Silver Star), PFC Carlito L. Dorsey, PFC John L. Godfrey, PFC Ralls Hawkins, PFC Charles L. Hicks, PFC Harvey Johnson III, PFC Marion E. Johnson, PFC Carroll H. Jones, PFC Arnold R. Krasnoff, PFC Gamaliel Marcano-Diaz, PFC Larry D. Naasz, PFC Joseph L. Rabon, PFC Edward J. Scahill, PFC Joseph Scicutella, PFC Samuel W. Smith, PFC Andrew L. Stephens, PFC Clifford R. Stout, PFC Alvin B. Tucker, PFC George A. Turner (Forward Observer from B/1/77th Arty), and PFC John F. Waden. Eleven others were wounded.
Father's Name: Henry Carl Letbetter
Mother's name: Aline Slider
1952 Graduate of Goldthwaite High School, attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He was married. He was drafted into the Army in 1956 and loved it, re-enlisted 1958 and again in 1964. Member of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.
Below is cited at www.virtualwall.org. Used with permission.
PERSONAL DATA:
Home of Record Goldthwaite, TX
Date of birth: 09/19/1934
This page Copyright© 1997-2013 www.VirtualWall.org
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E7
Rank/Rate: Sergeant First Class
ID No: 54148152
MOS/RATING: 11B4P: Infantryman (Airborne Qual)
Length Service: 10
Unit: 3RD PLT, C CO, 1ST BN, 5TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 10/20/1966
Incident Date: 11/21/1966
Casualty Date: 11/21/1966
Age at Loss: 32
Location: Pleiku Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Ground casualty
Casualty Detail: Gun or small arms fire
URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dl/LetbetterBW01a.htm
ON THE WALL: Panel 12E Line 102
On November 17, 1966, three companies from the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, began reconnaissance in force operations in the southwestern corner of Pleiku Province along the Cambodian border in support of Operation Paul Revere IV. The companies were air assaulted into widely dispersed landing zones, and after four days of searching and reconnoitering, the 1/5th was scattered about their area of operations. On November 21st, Company C was situated in an ambush posture along a well-used trail they had discovered the previous day. During the morning, its three platoons resumed patrolling a short distance from the border. Small groups of enemy soldiers were observed, and the platoons maneuvered to gain fire superiority. Second Platoon was soon in contact. As Third Platoon moved across low ground beneath a hill to reach Second's location, they were ambushed by a superior-size force. They took cover and immediately returned fire. In a few moments, Third Platoon was taking heavy fire on three sides. While trying to fight their way to higher ground, the platoon was nearly wiped out. Only two men survived, one by smearing blood from his own wounds on his face and playing dead. The enemy moved in, killing the wounded, and picking up all their weapons and radio. Second Platoon was also heavily engaged in a wooded area; its First Squad was completely wiped out. In total, C-1/5 lost 33 men killed in action. They included SFC Bobby W. Letbetter, SSG Charles K. Malone, SSG Max M. Woodsmall, SGT Theodore A. Alkire Jr., SP4 Norman C. Farris (awarded the Bronze Star), SP4 Eugene E. Mitchell, SP4 James E. Smythe, SP4 Wilbert Stewart Jr., SP4 Lester E. Unger Jr., SP4 Donald G. Vernon, PFC Gary D. Byford, SP4 Louis Castillo, PFC Eduardo Chavez, PFC John M. Dalton (awarded the Silver Star), PFC Carlito L. Dorsey, PFC John L. Godfrey, PFC Ralls Hawkins, PFC Charles L. Hicks, PFC Harvey Johnson III, PFC Marion E. Johnson, PFC Carroll H. Jones, PFC Arnold R. Krasnoff, PFC Gamaliel Marcano-Diaz, PFC Larry D. Naasz, PFC Joseph L. Rabon, PFC Edward J. Scahill, PFC Joseph Scicutella, PFC Samuel W. Smith, PFC Andrew L. Stephens, PFC Clifford R. Stout, PFC Alvin B. Tucker, PFC George A. Turner (Forward Observer from B/1/77th Arty), and PFC John F. Waden. Eleven others were wounded.
Gravesite Details
US ARMY, Date interred: 12/2/1966
Family Members
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