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Dan Willie Archer
Private First Class
2ND PLT, C CO, 1ST BN, 35TH INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV, USARV Army of the United States Memphis, Tennessee October 10, 1947 to July 15, 1967 DAN W ARCHER is on the Wall at Panel 23E, Line 73 See the full profile or name rubbing for Dan Archer |
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Dan Willie Archer was a devoted son of Dan Archer and Ted Archer of Memphis Tennessee. He was loved by many as a compassionate person who went into the military from a sense of duty and died protecting others in his unit. His selfless actions saved others but cost him his life after such a short time in Vietnam. Many miss him even today. I feel cheated that his life was cut short and not allowed to flourish. Who knows how many lives would have been different if he was not lost in the conflict? He was quick to laugh and had very red hair as his nickname was "Red". He was a good friend who offered much to humanity. I will always miss him.
From a friend, |
A Note from The Virtual WallTwo men from C Company, 1/35th Infantry, were killed in an engagement on 15 July 1967 about 15 kilometers southwest of Duc Pho - PFC Dan W. Archer from Memphis, Tennessee, and PFC Armando Villa from Brentwood, California.
Photo courtesy of the 35th Infantry Assn Dan Archer is remembered on the 35th Inf site by a friend who said
Red was killed in a battle that is glancingly referred to in the Vietnam Order of Battle. The author talks about a classic fire and manuever battle. It was, and it went for about six hours more or less. He was one of two guys killed in my platoon that day. Red was laying down some fire when I ran out onto a trail to try to drag two wounded guys back, I never made it. Got pinned down, got wounded. Red was killed I think by the same NVA regular who shot me through the back of the helmet. The rascal was up in a tree above and behind us both. Red never gave up. He was on the right of the firing line.
Red Archer laid down a devastating line of fire into some NVA bunkers on top of a mountain that day. He was shot from above and from the back just like I was. I made it, Red didn't. An hour or so into the battle they dragged Red back to me. I'd never seen a dead American soldier yet, I was pretty new to the war. Red was deathly pale, not breathing. I could't figure out where he'd been shot, but the guys showed me, they'd pulled off his shirt to bandage him. Red was hit just above the belt line in or very near the spine. He went quick.
I understand the family didn't allow black friends to be kept out of the church the day of the funeral. He would have liked that I'm sure. Red was an only son who didn't have to go to war. He chose to do it. As a youngster he had a magnetic way with the neighborhood kids who'd gather around him to talk. I wish I'd been there to learn his secret. God bless you, Red Archer, you are not forgotten. Hope to see you in Memphis some day.
Ed "Doc" Gerson |
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