In Memory of….. Sp4 Rodney Eugene Althoff.
*** Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Vietnam. Silver Star and Combat Medic.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
RODNEY EUGENE ALTHOFF - Army - SP4 - E4
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Oct 24, 1946
From: YORK, PA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Leo (Leonard) W. Althoff and Mother, Doris (Dorothy) Anna Pfeiffer Althoff, Born Aug. 11, 1923, both of York, PA. Brothers and Sisters, Thomas L. Althoff, Richard A. Althoff, Christina M. Nuzum, and Mary K. Althoff, all of York, and John A. Althoff of Kenosha, Wis.. Paternal Uncles and Aunts, Elizabeth R., Josphene C., Bernard P., James A., Kathleen T., Thomas J. and Martha A. Althoff, All born in Pennsylvania..
* Paternal Grandparents: Grandfather, Leo C. and Grandmother, Martha (Weimer) Althoff.
* Maternal Grandparents: Grandfather, Anthony and GRAndmother, Mary (Feeser) Pfeiffer.
***** Photo by: Jim Hontz, C, Co., 2/27
You, are not Forgotten.
Apr 18, 2007
***** RODNEY E. ALTHOFF- Rod, SP/4, Army
Rod was born October 24, 1946. His parents were Leo and Doris and he had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. He went to York Catholic and enjoyed hunting and stamp collecting. He entered the Army in July, 1965 and went to Vietnam in March, 1966. He was stationed at Dau Theng as a platoon medic. On November 4, 1966, while on a search and destroy mission, he was killed while trying to aid his wounded buddies. Rod was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign, and Vietnam Service medals. He was 20 years old
Jim McIlhenney
***** Doc, We caught a lot of patrols together and even had bunks in the same hooch. I guess it's not strange we never bothered to learn each others name. When we were on the same patrol I felt better because I knew someone.
We took an awful lot of casualties that day we stepped into Hell, and "A" Co. took a lot the next day. Two guys were awarded the CMH in their attempt to get us out. The Big Red One finally broke through to us. No one who was there will ever forget ATTLEBORO! I finally found out what your name is and I had a chance to visit your parents and some of your family. They are wonderful people and now I know why you were so great. We still keep in touch.
A while ago I met a number of fellow Wolfhounds. They get together in Blackshear every year. We always toast and remember those we lost.
Until We Meet Again!
Deuce Man
James Hontz
***** Remembering the times in Hawaii and in-country when you and I and Danny Ochoa were in C Co, 25th Med before you left for the 2/27th. The nights we talked about home and when we worked in the aid station, with all the wounded that came through. I talk still with your Mom and Dad in York and your absence still is hard. I miss your smile, old friend.
Your friend and brother vet,
"Doc" Paul Pleticha
C Co, 25th Med Bn, 25th Inf Div
SP4 - E4 - Army - 25th Infantry Division
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Mar 17, 1966
Casualty was on Nov 4, 1966
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Specialist Four
ID No: 13858503
MOS: 91A10 Medical Corpsman
LenSvc: Between 1 and 2 years
Unit: C CO, 2ND BN, 27TH INF RGT, 25 INF DIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Thursday, 03/17/1966
Cas Date: Friday, 11/04/1966
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body recovered
Location: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, died outright
Reason: Gun or small arms fire - Ground casualty
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 12E - Line 17
On November 4, 1966, Sp4 Rodney Eugene Althoff while on a search and destroy mission was killed while trying to aid his wounded buddies.
At the beginning of November 1966, operations near the "Black Virgin" Mountain were uncovering very large NVA/VC supply caches. Because the NVA/VC could not afford to lose the supplies, they were forced to fight - and fight they did, beginning with heavy action near Dau Tieng starting on 03 Nov 1966, when 13 US soldiers died in the fighting. It continued on 04 November, with 11 US infantry companies in the field, supported by air and artillery as well as ARVN infantry. By day's end, the NVA/VC commanders realized they could not protect their supply caches and began a withdrawal toward the Cambodian border. Seventeen more US soldiers died in the fighting on 04 Nov 1966:
2nd Bn, 1st Infantry
SSG John P. Frankel, Santa Clara, CA, C Co
SGT Edward J. Merritt, Philadelphia, PA, B Co
SGT Howard L. Walker, Boomer, NC, C Co
PFC Carmen P. Cartonia, Buffalo, NY, C Co
1st Bn, 27th Infantry
SGT John D. Beltz, St Louis, MO, A Co
SP4 Eugene F. Goeckner, Dieterich, IL, A Co
PFC Bruce E. Kerndl, Miller Place, NY, A Co
2nd Bn, 27th Infantry
LTC William C. Barott, Philadelphia, PA, HQ Co (Silver Star)
CPT Gerald F. Currier, Lawrence, MA, C Co
2LT Robert L. Adams, Carlisle, PA, C Co
SGT Howard C. Barker, Madison, FL, C Co
SP4 Rodney E. Althoff, York, PA, HQ Co (Silver Star)
SP4 Aaron L. Thomas, Philadelphia, PA, A Co
PFC Lawrence E. Besson, Alexandria, LA, C Co
PFC Luis A. Perez-Cruz, Arecibo, PR
PVT Jose L. Fontanez-Velez, Rio Piedras, PR, C Co
PVT Bobby Young, Viper, KY
*************************************************
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Rodney Eugene Althoff (RA13858503), Specialist Fourth Class, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.
Specialist Fourth Class Althoff distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
**************************************************
Stefan Becket | 12:11AM, 9/16/2010
Rodney Eugene Althoff was one of the earliest men from York to die in Vietnam and his sacrifice came at a crucial point in the war.
Althoff was a Specialist-4 in the Army, serving in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
SP4 Althoff’s battalion was deployed to Vietnam in January 1966 and would be one of the last units of the 25th Infantry Division to redeploy in 1972. SP4 Althoff was trained as a medic and underwent jungle training in Hawaii before being deployed to Vietnam.
On November 5th, 1966, readers of The York Dispatch awoke to news on the front page, datelined Saigon, that one of the largest combat operations conducted by the American military in Vietnam to date was underway: “US infantrymen turned back six human wave attacks by the Viet Cong and pushed deeper into their War Zone C stronghold today.
The Communist toll soared to 217 in two days of fighting and the battle still raged at nightfall…
US forces accounted for 97 of the toll as it probed into the heavily fortified jungle near the Cambodian border. South Vietnamese forces killed another 120 in scattered battles nearby.
The savage ground fighting was centered around Tay Ninh city, about 60 miles northwest of Saigon near the Cambodian border and on the edge of War Zone C, a guerrilla stronghold. Intelligence officers said as much as a full VC division - 6,000 to 7,000 men - was opposing the multi-brigade force of Americans in ‘Operation Attleboro.’”
SP4 Althoff’s unit was one of the first to engage the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong in Tay Ninh province, and a total of 16,000 US troops were eventually deployed to confront the enemy pouring across the Cambodian border by way of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The fighting began on November 3rd with 13 American deaths. On November 4th the fighting continued, with US infantry supported by massive artillery barrages and air strikes.
Readers of the Dispatch on November 4th could not have known that SP4 Althoff was killed in the battle reported in the paper that very morning.
His death came in the thick of the “Americanization” phase of the war, with the American military relying heavily on a huge influx of American infantry unaccustomed to counterinsurgency warfare and intensifying the aerial campaign in order to pound the North Vietnamese leadership into negotiating for peace.
The press accounts of the battle show the misguided reliance by the US military on figures and statistics of kills and casualties to measure success in fighting. Time magazine’s account is unduly focused on the number of enemy dead and the relatively low number of US casualties; in the week of fighting, 155 American servicemen were killed and 494 were wounded, compared to a reported 2,000 Viet Cong and NVA casualties. In the eyes of American policymakers and the American people, this constituted a success.
News of Rodney Althoff’s death reached York by Monday, November 14, 1966, when his obituary was printed in The York Dispatch:
“Funeral services for Specialist 4 Rodney E. Althoff, 20 year old son of Leo W. and Doris Pfeiffer Althoffe, 1231 Mount Rose Avenue, were held today at the John E. Borgel Funeral Home with a solemn requiem mass following in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church…
Specialist 4 Althoff was killed in Viet Nam.” Today, the house in which SP4 Althoff lived with his parents is approximately one block from the house where the young family of this writer’s older brother now resides.
******************************
Many thanks to Jim Wray for providing the cemetery name and plot information.
*********************************
.
*** Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Vietnam. Silver Star and Combat Medic.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
RODNEY EUGENE ALTHOFF - Army - SP4 - E4
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Oct 24, 1946
From: YORK, PA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Leo (Leonard) W. Althoff and Mother, Doris (Dorothy) Anna Pfeiffer Althoff, Born Aug. 11, 1923, both of York, PA. Brothers and Sisters, Thomas L. Althoff, Richard A. Althoff, Christina M. Nuzum, and Mary K. Althoff, all of York, and John A. Althoff of Kenosha, Wis.. Paternal Uncles and Aunts, Elizabeth R., Josphene C., Bernard P., James A., Kathleen T., Thomas J. and Martha A. Althoff, All born in Pennsylvania..
* Paternal Grandparents: Grandfather, Leo C. and Grandmother, Martha (Weimer) Althoff.
* Maternal Grandparents: Grandfather, Anthony and GRAndmother, Mary (Feeser) Pfeiffer.
***** Photo by: Jim Hontz, C, Co., 2/27
You, are not Forgotten.
Apr 18, 2007
***** RODNEY E. ALTHOFF- Rod, SP/4, Army
Rod was born October 24, 1946. His parents were Leo and Doris and he had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. He went to York Catholic and enjoyed hunting and stamp collecting. He entered the Army in July, 1965 and went to Vietnam in March, 1966. He was stationed at Dau Theng as a platoon medic. On November 4, 1966, while on a search and destroy mission, he was killed while trying to aid his wounded buddies. Rod was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign, and Vietnam Service medals. He was 20 years old
Jim McIlhenney
***** Doc, We caught a lot of patrols together and even had bunks in the same hooch. I guess it's not strange we never bothered to learn each others name. When we were on the same patrol I felt better because I knew someone.
We took an awful lot of casualties that day we stepped into Hell, and "A" Co. took a lot the next day. Two guys were awarded the CMH in their attempt to get us out. The Big Red One finally broke through to us. No one who was there will ever forget ATTLEBORO! I finally found out what your name is and I had a chance to visit your parents and some of your family. They are wonderful people and now I know why you were so great. We still keep in touch.
A while ago I met a number of fellow Wolfhounds. They get together in Blackshear every year. We always toast and remember those we lost.
Until We Meet Again!
Deuce Man
James Hontz
***** Remembering the times in Hawaii and in-country when you and I and Danny Ochoa were in C Co, 25th Med before you left for the 2/27th. The nights we talked about home and when we worked in the aid station, with all the wounded that came through. I talk still with your Mom and Dad in York and your absence still is hard. I miss your smile, old friend.
Your friend and brother vet,
"Doc" Paul Pleticha
C Co, 25th Med Bn, 25th Inf Div
SP4 - E4 - Army - 25th Infantry Division
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Mar 17, 1966
Casualty was on Nov 4, 1966
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Specialist Four
ID No: 13858503
MOS: 91A10 Medical Corpsman
LenSvc: Between 1 and 2 years
Unit: C CO, 2ND BN, 27TH INF RGT, 25 INF DIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Thursday, 03/17/1966
Cas Date: Friday, 11/04/1966
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body recovered
Location: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, died outright
Reason: Gun or small arms fire - Ground casualty
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 12E - Line 17
On November 4, 1966, Sp4 Rodney Eugene Althoff while on a search and destroy mission was killed while trying to aid his wounded buddies.
At the beginning of November 1966, operations near the "Black Virgin" Mountain were uncovering very large NVA/VC supply caches. Because the NVA/VC could not afford to lose the supplies, they were forced to fight - and fight they did, beginning with heavy action near Dau Tieng starting on 03 Nov 1966, when 13 US soldiers died in the fighting. It continued on 04 November, with 11 US infantry companies in the field, supported by air and artillery as well as ARVN infantry. By day's end, the NVA/VC commanders realized they could not protect their supply caches and began a withdrawal toward the Cambodian border. Seventeen more US soldiers died in the fighting on 04 Nov 1966:
2nd Bn, 1st Infantry
SSG John P. Frankel, Santa Clara, CA, C Co
SGT Edward J. Merritt, Philadelphia, PA, B Co
SGT Howard L. Walker, Boomer, NC, C Co
PFC Carmen P. Cartonia, Buffalo, NY, C Co
1st Bn, 27th Infantry
SGT John D. Beltz, St Louis, MO, A Co
SP4 Eugene F. Goeckner, Dieterich, IL, A Co
PFC Bruce E. Kerndl, Miller Place, NY, A Co
2nd Bn, 27th Infantry
LTC William C. Barott, Philadelphia, PA, HQ Co (Silver Star)
CPT Gerald F. Currier, Lawrence, MA, C Co
2LT Robert L. Adams, Carlisle, PA, C Co
SGT Howard C. Barker, Madison, FL, C Co
SP4 Rodney E. Althoff, York, PA, HQ Co (Silver Star)
SP4 Aaron L. Thomas, Philadelphia, PA, A Co
PFC Lawrence E. Besson, Alexandria, LA, C Co
PFC Luis A. Perez-Cruz, Arecibo, PR
PVT Jose L. Fontanez-Velez, Rio Piedras, PR, C Co
PVT Bobby Young, Viper, KY
*************************************************
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Rodney Eugene Althoff (RA13858503), Specialist Fourth Class, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.
Specialist Fourth Class Althoff distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
**************************************************
Stefan Becket | 12:11AM, 9/16/2010
Rodney Eugene Althoff was one of the earliest men from York to die in Vietnam and his sacrifice came at a crucial point in the war.
Althoff was a Specialist-4 in the Army, serving in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
SP4 Althoff’s battalion was deployed to Vietnam in January 1966 and would be one of the last units of the 25th Infantry Division to redeploy in 1972. SP4 Althoff was trained as a medic and underwent jungle training in Hawaii before being deployed to Vietnam.
On November 5th, 1966, readers of The York Dispatch awoke to news on the front page, datelined Saigon, that one of the largest combat operations conducted by the American military in Vietnam to date was underway: “US infantrymen turned back six human wave attacks by the Viet Cong and pushed deeper into their War Zone C stronghold today.
The Communist toll soared to 217 in two days of fighting and the battle still raged at nightfall…
US forces accounted for 97 of the toll as it probed into the heavily fortified jungle near the Cambodian border. South Vietnamese forces killed another 120 in scattered battles nearby.
The savage ground fighting was centered around Tay Ninh city, about 60 miles northwest of Saigon near the Cambodian border and on the edge of War Zone C, a guerrilla stronghold. Intelligence officers said as much as a full VC division - 6,000 to 7,000 men - was opposing the multi-brigade force of Americans in ‘Operation Attleboro.’”
SP4 Althoff’s unit was one of the first to engage the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong in Tay Ninh province, and a total of 16,000 US troops were eventually deployed to confront the enemy pouring across the Cambodian border by way of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The fighting began on November 3rd with 13 American deaths. On November 4th the fighting continued, with US infantry supported by massive artillery barrages and air strikes.
Readers of the Dispatch on November 4th could not have known that SP4 Althoff was killed in the battle reported in the paper that very morning.
His death came in the thick of the “Americanization” phase of the war, with the American military relying heavily on a huge influx of American infantry unaccustomed to counterinsurgency warfare and intensifying the aerial campaign in order to pound the North Vietnamese leadership into negotiating for peace.
The press accounts of the battle show the misguided reliance by the US military on figures and statistics of kills and casualties to measure success in fighting. Time magazine’s account is unduly focused on the number of enemy dead and the relatively low number of US casualties; in the week of fighting, 155 American servicemen were killed and 494 were wounded, compared to a reported 2,000 Viet Cong and NVA casualties. In the eyes of American policymakers and the American people, this constituted a success.
News of Rodney Althoff’s death reached York by Monday, November 14, 1966, when his obituary was printed in The York Dispatch:
“Funeral services for Specialist 4 Rodney E. Althoff, 20 year old son of Leo W. and Doris Pfeiffer Althoffe, 1231 Mount Rose Avenue, were held today at the John E. Borgel Funeral Home with a solemn requiem mass following in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church…
Specialist 4 Althoff was killed in Viet Nam.” Today, the house in which SP4 Althoff lived with his parents is approximately one block from the house where the young family of this writer’s older brother now resides.
******************************
Many thanks to Jim Wray for providing the cemetery name and plot information.
*********************************
.
In Memory of….. Sp4 Rodney Eugene Althoff.
*** Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Vietnam. Silver Star and Combat Medic.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
RODNEY EUGENE ALTHOFF - Army - SP4 - E4
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Oct 24, 1946
From: YORK, PA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Leo (Leonard) W. Althoff and Mother, Doris (Dorothy) Anna Pfeiffer Althoff, Born Aug. 11, 1923, both of York, PA. Brothers and Sisters, Thomas L. Althoff, Richard A. Althoff, Christina M. Nuzum, and Mary K. Althoff, all of York, and John A. Althoff of Kenosha, Wis.. Paternal Uncles and Aunts, Elizabeth R., Josphene C., Bernard P., James A., Kathleen T., Thomas J. and Martha A. Althoff, All born in Pennsylvania..
* Paternal Grandparents: Grandfather, Leo C. and Grandmother, Martha (Weimer) Althoff.
* Maternal Grandparents: Grandfather, Anthony and GRAndmother, Mary (Feeser) Pfeiffer.
***** Photo by: Jim Hontz, C, Co., 2/27
You, are not Forgotten.
Apr 18, 2007
***** RODNEY E. ALTHOFF- Rod, SP/4, Army
Rod was born October 24, 1946. His parents were Leo and Doris and he had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. He went to York Catholic and enjoyed hunting and stamp collecting. He entered the Army in July, 1965 and went to Vietnam in March, 1966. He was stationed at Dau Theng as a platoon medic. On November 4, 1966, while on a search and destroy mission, he was killed while trying to aid his wounded buddies. Rod was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign, and Vietnam Service medals. He was 20 years old
Jim McIlhenney
***** Doc, We caught a lot of patrols together and even had bunks in the same hooch. I guess it's not strange we never bothered to learn each others name. When we were on the same patrol I felt better because I knew someone.
We took an awful lot of casualties that day we stepped into Hell, and "A" Co. took a lot the next day. Two guys were awarded the CMH in their attempt to get us out. The Big Red One finally broke through to us. No one who was there will ever forget ATTLEBORO! I finally found out what your name is and I had a chance to visit your parents and some of your family. They are wonderful people and now I know why you were so great. We still keep in touch.
A while ago I met a number of fellow Wolfhounds. They get together in Blackshear every year. We always toast and remember those we lost.
Until We Meet Again!
Deuce Man
James Hontz
***** Remembering the times in Hawaii and in-country when you and I and Danny Ochoa were in C Co, 25th Med before you left for the 2/27th. The nights we talked about home and when we worked in the aid station, with all the wounded that came through. I talk still with your Mom and Dad in York and your absence still is hard. I miss your smile, old friend.
Your friend and brother vet,
"Doc" Paul Pleticha
C Co, 25th Med Bn, 25th Inf Div
SP4 - E4 - Army - 25th Infantry Division
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Mar 17, 1966
Casualty was on Nov 4, 1966
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Specialist Four
ID No: 13858503
MOS: 91A10 Medical Corpsman
LenSvc: Between 1 and 2 years
Unit: C CO, 2ND BN, 27TH INF RGT, 25 INF DIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Thursday, 03/17/1966
Cas Date: Friday, 11/04/1966
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body recovered
Location: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, died outright
Reason: Gun or small arms fire - Ground casualty
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 12E - Line 17
On November 4, 1966, Sp4 Rodney Eugene Althoff while on a search and destroy mission was killed while trying to aid his wounded buddies.
At the beginning of November 1966, operations near the "Black Virgin" Mountain were uncovering very large NVA/VC supply caches. Because the NVA/VC could not afford to lose the supplies, they were forced to fight - and fight they did, beginning with heavy action near Dau Tieng starting on 03 Nov 1966, when 13 US soldiers died in the fighting. It continued on 04 November, with 11 US infantry companies in the field, supported by air and artillery as well as ARVN infantry. By day's end, the NVA/VC commanders realized they could not protect their supply caches and began a withdrawal toward the Cambodian border. Seventeen more US soldiers died in the fighting on 04 Nov 1966:
2nd Bn, 1st Infantry
SSG John P. Frankel, Santa Clara, CA, C Co
SGT Edward J. Merritt, Philadelphia, PA, B Co
SGT Howard L. Walker, Boomer, NC, C Co
PFC Carmen P. Cartonia, Buffalo, NY, C Co
1st Bn, 27th Infantry
SGT John D. Beltz, St Louis, MO, A Co
SP4 Eugene F. Goeckner, Dieterich, IL, A Co
PFC Bruce E. Kerndl, Miller Place, NY, A Co
2nd Bn, 27th Infantry
LTC William C. Barott, Philadelphia, PA, HQ Co (Silver Star)
CPT Gerald F. Currier, Lawrence, MA, C Co
2LT Robert L. Adams, Carlisle, PA, C Co
SGT Howard C. Barker, Madison, FL, C Co
SP4 Rodney E. Althoff, York, PA, HQ Co (Silver Star)
SP4 Aaron L. Thomas, Philadelphia, PA, A Co
PFC Lawrence E. Besson, Alexandria, LA, C Co
PFC Luis A. Perez-Cruz, Arecibo, PR
PVT Jose L. Fontanez-Velez, Rio Piedras, PR, C Co
PVT Bobby Young, Viper, KY
*************************************************
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Rodney Eugene Althoff (RA13858503), Specialist Fourth Class, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.
Specialist Fourth Class Althoff distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
**************************************************
Stefan Becket | 12:11AM, 9/16/2010
Rodney Eugene Althoff was one of the earliest men from York to die in Vietnam and his sacrifice came at a crucial point in the war.
Althoff was a Specialist-4 in the Army, serving in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
SP4 Althoff’s battalion was deployed to Vietnam in January 1966 and would be one of the last units of the 25th Infantry Division to redeploy in 1972. SP4 Althoff was trained as a medic and underwent jungle training in Hawaii before being deployed to Vietnam.
On November 5th, 1966, readers of The York Dispatch awoke to news on the front page, datelined Saigon, that one of the largest combat operations conducted by the American military in Vietnam to date was underway: “US infantrymen turned back six human wave attacks by the Viet Cong and pushed deeper into their War Zone C stronghold today.
The Communist toll soared to 217 in two days of fighting and the battle still raged at nightfall…
US forces accounted for 97 of the toll as it probed into the heavily fortified jungle near the Cambodian border. South Vietnamese forces killed another 120 in scattered battles nearby.
The savage ground fighting was centered around Tay Ninh city, about 60 miles northwest of Saigon near the Cambodian border and on the edge of War Zone C, a guerrilla stronghold. Intelligence officers said as much as a full VC division - 6,000 to 7,000 men - was opposing the multi-brigade force of Americans in ‘Operation Attleboro.’”
SP4 Althoff’s unit was one of the first to engage the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong in Tay Ninh province, and a total of 16,000 US troops were eventually deployed to confront the enemy pouring across the Cambodian border by way of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The fighting began on November 3rd with 13 American deaths. On November 4th the fighting continued, with US infantry supported by massive artillery barrages and air strikes.
Readers of the Dispatch on November 4th could not have known that SP4 Althoff was killed in the battle reported in the paper that very morning.
His death came in the thick of the “Americanization” phase of the war, with the American military relying heavily on a huge influx of American infantry unaccustomed to counterinsurgency warfare and intensifying the aerial campaign in order to pound the North Vietnamese leadership into negotiating for peace.
The press accounts of the battle show the misguided reliance by the US military on figures and statistics of kills and casualties to measure success in fighting. Time magazine’s account is unduly focused on the number of enemy dead and the relatively low number of US casualties; in the week of fighting, 155 American servicemen were killed and 494 were wounded, compared to a reported 2,000 Viet Cong and NVA casualties. In the eyes of American policymakers and the American people, this constituted a success.
News of Rodney Althoff’s death reached York by Monday, November 14, 1966, when his obituary was printed in The York Dispatch:
“Funeral services for Specialist 4 Rodney E. Althoff, 20 year old son of Leo W. and Doris Pfeiffer Althoffe, 1231 Mount Rose Avenue, were held today at the John E. Borgel Funeral Home with a solemn requiem mass following in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church…
Specialist 4 Althoff was killed in Viet Nam.” Today, the house in which SP4 Althoff lived with his parents is approximately one block from the house where the young family of this writer’s older brother now resides.
******************************
Many thanks to Jim Wray for providing the cemetery name and plot information.
*********************************
.
*** Company C, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, Vietnam. Silver Star and Combat Medic.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
RODNEY EUGENE ALTHOFF - Army - SP4 - E4
Age: 20
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth Oct 24, 1946
From: YORK, PA
Religion: ROMAN CATHOLIC
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Leo (Leonard) W. Althoff and Mother, Doris (Dorothy) Anna Pfeiffer Althoff, Born Aug. 11, 1923, both of York, PA. Brothers and Sisters, Thomas L. Althoff, Richard A. Althoff, Christina M. Nuzum, and Mary K. Althoff, all of York, and John A. Althoff of Kenosha, Wis.. Paternal Uncles and Aunts, Elizabeth R., Josphene C., Bernard P., James A., Kathleen T., Thomas J. and Martha A. Althoff, All born in Pennsylvania..
* Paternal Grandparents: Grandfather, Leo C. and Grandmother, Martha (Weimer) Althoff.
* Maternal Grandparents: Grandfather, Anthony and GRAndmother, Mary (Feeser) Pfeiffer.
***** Photo by: Jim Hontz, C, Co., 2/27
You, are not Forgotten.
Apr 18, 2007
***** RODNEY E. ALTHOFF- Rod, SP/4, Army
Rod was born October 24, 1946. His parents were Leo and Doris and he had 3 brothers and 2 sisters. He went to York Catholic and enjoyed hunting and stamp collecting. He entered the Army in July, 1965 and went to Vietnam in March, 1966. He was stationed at Dau Theng as a platoon medic. On November 4, 1966, while on a search and destroy mission, he was killed while trying to aid his wounded buddies. Rod was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign, and Vietnam Service medals. He was 20 years old
Jim McIlhenney
***** Doc, We caught a lot of patrols together and even had bunks in the same hooch. I guess it's not strange we never bothered to learn each others name. When we were on the same patrol I felt better because I knew someone.
We took an awful lot of casualties that day we stepped into Hell, and "A" Co. took a lot the next day. Two guys were awarded the CMH in their attempt to get us out. The Big Red One finally broke through to us. No one who was there will ever forget ATTLEBORO! I finally found out what your name is and I had a chance to visit your parents and some of your family. They are wonderful people and now I know why you were so great. We still keep in touch.
A while ago I met a number of fellow Wolfhounds. They get together in Blackshear every year. We always toast and remember those we lost.
Until We Meet Again!
Deuce Man
James Hontz
***** Remembering the times in Hawaii and in-country when you and I and Danny Ochoa were in C Co, 25th Med before you left for the 2/27th. The nights we talked about home and when we worked in the aid station, with all the wounded that came through. I talk still with your Mom and Dad in York and your absence still is hard. I miss your smile, old friend.
Your friend and brother vet,
"Doc" Paul Pleticha
C Co, 25th Med Bn, 25th Inf Div
SP4 - E4 - Army - 25th Infantry Division
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Mar 17, 1966
Casualty was on Nov 4, 1966
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Regular)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Specialist Four
ID No: 13858503
MOS: 91A10 Medical Corpsman
LenSvc: Between 1 and 2 years
Unit: C CO, 2ND BN, 27TH INF RGT, 25 INF DIV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Thursday, 03/17/1966
Cas Date: Friday, 11/04/1966
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body recovered
Location: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, died outright
Reason: Gun or small arms fire - Ground casualty
In , SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 12E - Line 17
On November 4, 1966, Sp4 Rodney Eugene Althoff while on a search and destroy mission was killed while trying to aid his wounded buddies.
At the beginning of November 1966, operations near the "Black Virgin" Mountain were uncovering very large NVA/VC supply caches. Because the NVA/VC could not afford to lose the supplies, they were forced to fight - and fight they did, beginning with heavy action near Dau Tieng starting on 03 Nov 1966, when 13 US soldiers died in the fighting. It continued on 04 November, with 11 US infantry companies in the field, supported by air and artillery as well as ARVN infantry. By day's end, the NVA/VC commanders realized they could not protect their supply caches and began a withdrawal toward the Cambodian border. Seventeen more US soldiers died in the fighting on 04 Nov 1966:
2nd Bn, 1st Infantry
SSG John P. Frankel, Santa Clara, CA, C Co
SGT Edward J. Merritt, Philadelphia, PA, B Co
SGT Howard L. Walker, Boomer, NC, C Co
PFC Carmen P. Cartonia, Buffalo, NY, C Co
1st Bn, 27th Infantry
SGT John D. Beltz, St Louis, MO, A Co
SP4 Eugene F. Goeckner, Dieterich, IL, A Co
PFC Bruce E. Kerndl, Miller Place, NY, A Co
2nd Bn, 27th Infantry
LTC William C. Barott, Philadelphia, PA, HQ Co (Silver Star)
CPT Gerald F. Currier, Lawrence, MA, C Co
2LT Robert L. Adams, Carlisle, PA, C Co
SGT Howard C. Barker, Madison, FL, C Co
SP4 Rodney E. Althoff, York, PA, HQ Co (Silver Star)
SP4 Aaron L. Thomas, Philadelphia, PA, A Co
PFC Lawrence E. Besson, Alexandria, LA, C Co
PFC Luis A. Perez-Cruz, Arecibo, PR
PVT Jose L. Fontanez-Velez, Rio Piedras, PR, C Co
PVT Bobby Young, Viper, KY
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The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Rodney Eugene Althoff (RA13858503), Specialist Fourth Class, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.
Specialist Fourth Class Althoff distinguished himself by intrepid actions while serving with Company C, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
His unquestionable valor in close combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
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Stefan Becket | 12:11AM, 9/16/2010
Rodney Eugene Althoff was one of the earliest men from York to die in Vietnam and his sacrifice came at a crucial point in the war.
Althoff was a Specialist-4 in the Army, serving in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.
SP4 Althoff’s battalion was deployed to Vietnam in January 1966 and would be one of the last units of the 25th Infantry Division to redeploy in 1972. SP4 Althoff was trained as a medic and underwent jungle training in Hawaii before being deployed to Vietnam.
On November 5th, 1966, readers of The York Dispatch awoke to news on the front page, datelined Saigon, that one of the largest combat operations conducted by the American military in Vietnam to date was underway: “US infantrymen turned back six human wave attacks by the Viet Cong and pushed deeper into their War Zone C stronghold today.
The Communist toll soared to 217 in two days of fighting and the battle still raged at nightfall…
US forces accounted for 97 of the toll as it probed into the heavily fortified jungle near the Cambodian border. South Vietnamese forces killed another 120 in scattered battles nearby.
The savage ground fighting was centered around Tay Ninh city, about 60 miles northwest of Saigon near the Cambodian border and on the edge of War Zone C, a guerrilla stronghold. Intelligence officers said as much as a full VC division - 6,000 to 7,000 men - was opposing the multi-brigade force of Americans in ‘Operation Attleboro.’”
SP4 Althoff’s unit was one of the first to engage the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong in Tay Ninh province, and a total of 16,000 US troops were eventually deployed to confront the enemy pouring across the Cambodian border by way of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
The fighting began on November 3rd with 13 American deaths. On November 4th the fighting continued, with US infantry supported by massive artillery barrages and air strikes.
Readers of the Dispatch on November 4th could not have known that SP4 Althoff was killed in the battle reported in the paper that very morning.
His death came in the thick of the “Americanization” phase of the war, with the American military relying heavily on a huge influx of American infantry unaccustomed to counterinsurgency warfare and intensifying the aerial campaign in order to pound the North Vietnamese leadership into negotiating for peace.
The press accounts of the battle show the misguided reliance by the US military on figures and statistics of kills and casualties to measure success in fighting. Time magazine’s account is unduly focused on the number of enemy dead and the relatively low number of US casualties; in the week of fighting, 155 American servicemen were killed and 494 were wounded, compared to a reported 2,000 Viet Cong and NVA casualties. In the eyes of American policymakers and the American people, this constituted a success.
News of Rodney Althoff’s death reached York by Monday, November 14, 1966, when his obituary was printed in The York Dispatch:
“Funeral services for Specialist 4 Rodney E. Althoff, 20 year old son of Leo W. and Doris Pfeiffer Althoffe, 1231 Mount Rose Avenue, were held today at the John E. Borgel Funeral Home with a solemn requiem mass following in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church…
Specialist 4 Althoff was killed in Viet Nam.” Today, the house in which SP4 Althoff lived with his parents is approximately one block from the house where the young family of this writer’s older brother now resides.
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Many thanks to Jim Wray for providing the cemetery name and plot information.
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