Robert Degen

Major
HHC, 1ST BN, 77TH ARMOR, 5 INF DIV
Army of the United States
03 April 1936 - 08 January 1971
Buffalo, New York
Panel 05W Line 033

5 INF DIV

77TH ARM RGT
CIB

Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Robert Degen

8 Aug 2004

I was in the same unit as Major Degen, stationed in Quang Tri, Vietnam.

I was in the barracks several rows over the night the Major met his fate. I remember that night like it was yesterday. I experienced several fatalities during my tour in Vietnam, and I'll have to say because of the way the Major lost his life, that night was probably the lowest of my tour.

Robert Degen, Thank You for the opportunity to know you.

Your children must be near or in their 40's by now. One can only hope that their mother had the strength some 30+ years ago to mentally prepare herself for the future, as so many Vietnam widows did.

Here's hoping the Good Lord took a liking to you and your family.
May God Bless them wherever they may be.

Robert Degen, Panel 05W, Line 33
May you rest in peace
You will not be forgotten.

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Robert Degen was graduated with the Class of 1958, U S Military Academy, and was serving his second tour in Vietnam; his first tour was as an advisor with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, in 1964-65. In January 1971 he was serving as the Operations Officer (S-3), 1st Bn, 77th Armor. During his two tours he earned the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart.

Remembrances of Robert Degen may be found in several places on the Internet, and there's a common theme to them: in each instance, he is remembered as one of the "good guys", liked and respected by his peers and juniors.



The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a unit member,
Dennis Withers
dww47@ris.net 
8 Aug 2004



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 08/08/2004