scrapbook of Ruby Gertrude Hopper Durbin R. HARKER BURNED IN VIETNAM ACTION
Sigel- Spec 4 Robert Harker of Sigel is in very serious condition in a hospital in Japan after sustaining burns over 43 percent of his body in action in Vietnam.
His parents, Mr and Mrs Joseph [Bennie] Harker of Sigel received the word of their son’s injuries and condition in a telegram delivered from Mattoon about 11 pm Monday, but have received no additional information since.
The telegram said that Spec 4 Harker, 20, was wounded in action in Vietnam on 18th of April while on a combat operation when a hostile force was encountered. He received second and third degree burn over 43 percent of his body surface, including his face, arms, legs and trunk. He also received inhalation burns.
It continued, “He was placed on the seriously ill list and was subsequently evacuated to Japan. Upon arrival in Japan, he was removed from the seriously ill list and put on the very seriously ill list.”
The telegram said the parents would be kept informed of the young man’s progress. Friend and relatives wishing to write to him should address mail as follows, the family said.
Spec 4 Robert D Harker, US 56595119, 106th General Hospital, Yokohoma, Japan, San Francisco, California, 96503.
The young man is the eldest of the couple’s five children. His father is employed at Effingham, Norge, where Spec 4 Harker worked also before he joined Army forces in July 1968.
He has been serving with the 1st Air Calvary in the area of the Mekong River and the border with Cambodia.

Monday, May 5, 1969
PARENTS VISIT INJURED SOLDIER
Sigel- Mr and Mrs Joseph Harker left Saturday for Brooks General Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where they visited their son, Robert, who was injured by fire in Vietnam action several weeks ago. Accompanying them to the airport in St Louis were Mr and Mrs Loren Wright.

SOLDIER DIES OF WAR BURNS
Spec 4 Robert Dale Harker, 20 year old son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Harker of Sigel, died Monday in Brooke General Hospital at Ft Sam Houston, Texas, of burns received in combat in Vietnam April 18.
Harker, who went to Vietnam with the First Air Calvary Division last December, was burned in action near the Cambodian border but details are not known here.
A graduate of Neoga High School, he was employed by the Norge Division of Fedders Corp, in Effingham before entering service.
Spec Robert Dale Harker, 20, of Sigel died 5:30 am Monday, Brooke General Hospital, Ft Sam Houston, Texas, from burns received April 18 while in combat in Vietnam; born Aug 28, 1948, in Effingham; son of Joseph [Bennie] and Isabella Bartimus Harker of Sigel, leaves parents; brothers Bill, Donald, Keith; sister Sharon, all at home; grandmother Mrs Catherine Bartimus of Sigel; member St Michael’s Catholic Church, Sigel, arrangements incomplete, Swengel-O’Dell Funeral Home , Neoga, in charge.





IL.S/P 4 KRP C 8 Cav 1 Div Cav Vietnem PH

U.S. Army Personnel and Dependent Casualties, 1961-1981

Name: Robert D Harker
Birth Date: 1948
Gender: Male
Home State: Idaho
Casualty Country: Vietnam, Republic of
Casualty Category: Battle Dead
Casualty Status: Hostile Dead: Died Of Wounds (previous)
Casualty Date: 5 May 1969
Cause of Death: Not Booby Trap Connected: None Of The Above; Fire/burns (casualty Is Result Of Burns)
Report Date: 5 May 1969
Province: Tay Ninh
Military Occupation: Light Weapons Infantry (army)
Division: 1st Cav Div (Ambl)
Personnel Catagory: Active Duty Army
Military Class: Enlisted Personnel
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class