Gerald Ernest Corlett

The database page for Gerald Ernest Corlett

14 Jan 2008 PFC Gerald E. Corlett lost his life in a fierce engagement on a mountain named Nui Ba Den, in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam. His unit, 3/22 of the 25th Infantry Division, was sent on a mission to link up with an armored infantry unit of the 4/23, at the base of the mountain. The mechanized unit of the 4/23 had an armored personnel carrier that had come under fire and the troops needed reinforcements. Delta Company was inserted on Nui Cau the small mountain alongside Nui Ba Den on 15 March 1970, near dusk. On the morning of 16 March the first, second, and third platoons started down into the saddle area between the mountains on their mission to link up. According to 1LT Lee Mayo, the company commander, it was slow going as the terrain was granite boulders, large rocks, caves, and was infested with the enemy. At approximately 1200 hours Delta Company began taking intense rifle fire from snipers on higher ground. The enemy fired B-40 rocket propelled grenades at the American positions. There was small arms fire exhanged between the two forces. Delta Company was pinned down throughout the remainder of the day and it was not until darkness before they were able to move out and continue down the mountainside and link up with the 4/23 unit. Two lieutenants were killed that day along with PFC Corlett. LT Vincent Duffy commanded 3rd platoon and LT John Ingrum was with 1LT Mayo in the command post. All three soldiers were reportedly struck by sniper fire. The company also sustained many wounded soldiers. PFC Corlett was promoted posthumously to the rank of Corporal. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in Vietnam, the Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster for heroism, the Purple Heart, and the Good Conduct Medal. Prior to death, PFC Corlett had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Sharpshooter Badge with machine gun bar, and the Marksman Badge with rifle and automatic rifle bars. He was a 1966 graduate of Clay Senior High School in Oregon, Ohio. From a researcher and biographer, Jerry Eversman jeversman@aol.com DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division APO San Francisco 96225 13 April 1970 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 3813 AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL 1. TC 439. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. CORLETT, GERALD E. 295-44-9083 CPL (THEN PFC) Company D, 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Awarded: Bronze Star Medal Date action: 29 December 1969 to 16 March 1970 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order Order 11046, 24 August 1962, AR 672-5-1, and USARV Reg 672-1. FOR THE COMMANDER: T. J. HANIFEN Colonel, GS Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: M. J. MC CRANN 1LT, AGC Asst AG Adjutant General DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division APO San Francisco 96225 13 April 1970 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 3814 AWARD OF THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL 1. TC 439. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. CORLETT, GERALD E. 295-44-9083 CPL (THEN PFC) Company D, 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Awarded: Army Commendation Medal Date action: 29 December 1969 to 16 March 1970 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Authority: By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of AR 672-5-1, and USARV Reg 672-1. FOR THE COMMANDER: T. J. HANIFEN Colonel, GS Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: M. J. MC CRANN 1LT, AGC Asst AG Adjutant General DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division APO San Francisco 96225 16 April 1970 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 4234 AWARD OF THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL FOR HEROISM 1. TC 439. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. CORLETT, GERALD E. 295-44-9083 CPL (THEN PFC) Company D, 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry, 25th Infantry Division Awarded: Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device (First Oak Leaf Cluster) Date action: 21 Feb 1970 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Private First Class Corlett distinguished himself by heroic actions on 21 February 1970 wile serving with Company D, 3d Battalion /22d Infantry in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a reconnaissance operation, elements of Company D came in contact with a large enemy force, sustaining several casualties. With complete disregard for his own safety, Private Corlett exposed himself to a hail of enemy fire as he placed a large volume of suppressive fire on the enemy positions. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission and the defeat of the hostile force. Private Corlett’s bravery, aggressiveness, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of AR 672-5-1, and USARV Reg 672-1. FOR THE COMMANDER: T. J. HANIFEN Colonel, GS Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: M. J. MC CRANN 1LT, AGC Asst AG Adjutant General

27 Jan 2008 Photo courtesy of Jerry Rising Hello: My brother Jerry would have found the picture of him eating the lizard instead of his formal picture hilarious. His nickname was "Tramp" because he didn't always dress up. It's a great picture and a great memory. From his brother, Joe Corlett 1187 Heights Road, Lake Orion, Michigan 48362 loosedeckcannon@comcast.net

29 Jan 2008 Time, something there is so much of but so little given to each of us. If time were all ours, we would spend each and every moment loving you. If somehow we are still alive after a thousand years, it would because of our knowing and loving you. You ask how long this love will really last after you are gone? Step out side and listen for the sun, when you hear it move over the hills and through the trees, then know that love is gone. Look up into a cloudless sky, Look for the wind. When you see it, you'll never knew we left. Stop time if you can and if you can't, you can't prevent our loving and missing you. How long, you ask? Watch for the wind and wait. May serenity circle you on silent wings, and may you catch our love on the whisper of the wind. To my brother, I will never forget. From a brother-in-arms, 1/27 Wolfhounds, 25th Inf, 1970, Robert E. Lee Stewart 610 N. Stadium Road, Oregon, Ohio 43616 rstew23216@aol.com

29 Jan 2008 I served with Jerry, and remember him as a very fun-loving and happy guy. Always smiling, it seemed like even in the tough time we were in. I wish I had taken more pictures of him, and others. He made life "In Country" more bearable. From a friend, Jerry Rising jrising@swbell.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 25th Infantry Division's Operational Report for Feb-Apr 1970 contains the following entries: Although the exerpt does not mention D Company, 3rd Bn, 22nd Infantry, other reliable information does indicate that unit was involved in the fighting as described above. Five US soldiers were killed in the two-day action: D Co, 3rd Bn, 22nd Infantry 1LT John D. Ingrum, Springdale, AR 2LT Vincent E. Duffy, Arcadia, CA CPL Gerald E. Corlett, Oregon, OH A Co, 4th Bn, 23rd Infantry SP4 Isidro Garcia, Albuquerque, NM C Co, 4th Bn, 23rd Infantry SGT Louis C. Emery, Parma, ID

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his brother, Joe Corlett loosedeckcannon@comcast.net

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 14 Jan 2008
Last updated 02/01/2008