14 May 2001 To my brother in arms, Your sacrifice for your country and freedom is honored and remembered by the 3rd Squadron, Fifth Armored Cavalry Regiment, as well as the American people. The fact that you gave your life for a cause you believed in will serve as a reminder to the world that war is terrible and should always be a last resort to preserve the freedom and right to unrestricted life that exists for every American. This Wall of names, memorializing our fallen brothers, fathers, sisters and mothers, friends, co-workers, neighbors, acquaintances and others, stands as a monument to your deeds of heroism. You cannot and will never be forgotten ... We thank you and love you! Peace, Doug goofygimp@yahoo.com

 

07 November 2001 Kenny, You are still missed and LOVED! Your Family Photo courtesy of his twin brother Denny, who served with him during the conflict. From his twin brother, Dennis Brinker brinkdk@webtv.net

 

26 Nov 2001 Just thought I would say HI.. From his brother, Bruce Brinker E-Mail address not available

 

Memorial Day, 2002. I have just returned from a moving ceremony honoring the servicemen from Bartonville, Illinois, who died during the Vietnam conflict. Kenny Brinker, my uncle, was one of those brave men. I am very proud of him. I will never forget his memory. God Bless. Andrew Brinker, Nephew brinkdogg@hotmail.com

 

15 Oct 2004 To a brother I didn't get to know very well, but what I did know of him he was a wonderful person. He is missed every day. Love, Missy. From his sister, Coleen Brinker memamissy@yahoo.com

 

30 Mar 2006 Thank you for your sacrifice. From the stepson of Kenny's brother, Denny, Nate Hurn natehurn@yahoo.com

 

9TH INFANTRY DIVISION DMZ BRANCH The 3rd/5th Cavalry was dismounted in February, 1943, and re-organized under Infantry Tables of Organization and Equipment. It was re-organized wholly as Infantry in July, 1945, but retained its Cavalry designation. After Korea, the 3rd/5th Cavalry was de-activated in 1958. In 1966, it was activated for duty with the 9th Infantry Division "Old Reliables". Upon arrival in Vietnam, the Black Knights joined in the Division's first major contact of the war -- Operation Colby in 1967. After the grim Tet attacks (1968), General Westmoreland reassigned Troops A, B C, and HQ, 3rd/5th Armored Cavalry to the DMZ to bolster armored firepower there. The 9th Division unit was sent to Wunder Beach, 15 miles south of the DMZ, making it the northern-most 9th Infantry Division unit. For tactical purposes, the Cavalry units were under the operational control of I Corps. Unique is the fact that the bulk of the 9th Division remained in the Mekong Delta south of Saigon. While the men wore the 9th Division patch, they fought with many other divisional elements in the northern provinces, including the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, the 5th Infantry Division (Mech), the 101st Airborne, and the 1st Air Cavalry. A Note from The Virtual Wall At about 1300, 18 Apr 1969, C Troop, 3/5 Cav, and C Company, 1/9 Marines, departed Fire Support Base C-2 to conduct a search and destroy mission north of the Cam Lo Valley. At 1730 the mounted force reached Nui Tot Mon, where the Marines dismounted and moved westward up the Cam Hung Valley. At dusk the Marines set up a night defensive position on high ground above the Cam Hung while Charlie 3/5 Cav established their NDP in the Cam Lo Valley. At about 2030 (8:30 PM) C/3/5 Cavalry's night defensive position was attacked by a reinforced company of North Vietnamese Army troops. The attack began with heavy mortar fire which covered the approach of "sappers" - essentially satchel-charge troops on a one-way mission. In violent hand-to-hand combat, the NVA was discouraged - but Charlie Troop lost several armored vehicles and - much more importantly - twelve men: SP4 Andrew A. Biedron, Jr, Chicago, IL (DoW 04/19/69) SP4 Kenneth R. Brinker, Bartonville, IL SGT John Burgess, Cherokee, NC SP5 George C. Dahlman, Milwaukee, WI SGT David A. Dittmer, Marshall, MO PFC Victor L. Mills, Harlan, KY CPL Robert L. Park, Indianapolis, IN SGT Ronald H. Riley, Sanger, CA SGT Perry J. Scott, Oklahoma City, OK SP5 Charles D. Short, Ontario, CA SP4 Charles C. Smith, Saugus, CA SGT Timothy T. Tipton, Dixon, CA An additional 23 men were wounded.

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