1st Platoon, C Company, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Dinh Tuong Province – July 29, 1967
Memorial by John W. Young – January 11, 2001
Benny was as good as they come!
I was his squad leader during that terrible year of 1967. Benny and I were standing shoulder-to-shoulder when a sniper mistook him for me, and shot him dead. I’ll never know why I’m here, and he’s gone. I think of him most every day of my life, and always with sorrow for a buddy lost, grief for a good young man gone.
I’ve tried many times to find family members to tell them how things happened, and how fine a young soldier he was, but without success. I would like very much to hear from his family or friends in Texas.
Cecil Bridges, Jim Dennison and Don Peterson at Dong Tam – Several weeks after this photo was taken Don was killed in action – May 15, 1967. Cecil was killed in action July 29, 1967; both actions occurred in Dinh Tuong Province.