SP4 Robert Lee Denmark, Cottonwood, CA on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall

SP4 Robert Lee Denmark, was the second son of Bill and Dee Denmark and was born in San Mateo California on March 2, 1951. Everybody called him, Bobby growing up and Bob as he grew older.

His parents, Myrtle Eudora "Dee" Denmark, nee Jones and William Henry Denmark lived in Menlo Park, CA. His Dad, Bill was a member of the Carpenters Union and the family moved frequently.

"Growing up in California during the 1950's and the 1960's was a fantastic place to be. It was the coolest spot on Earth. It was a magical time." according to Robert's memorial page. Learn of his life and early years and his times on Lake Shasta, California.

Robert Denmark graduated from Red Bluff Union High School in the Class of 1969.

During the war in Vietnam, the US government reenacted the draft lottery. June 29, 1970, Robert's number was drawn, it was #77. He knew in the summer of 1970, he was going to be called up for Service. He enlisted instead. On Thursday, October 22, 1970 at the Armed Forces Induction Center in Oakland, California he signed up for three years of service in order to secure a position in Army Aviation. He hoped to be a pilot.

SP4 Robert Denmark began his tour in Vietnam on May 5, 1971. He was awarded his Air Crew Wings when he became Flight Crew Qualified while he was stationed at Camp Evans, Vietnam.

On the December 31, 1971, SP4 Robert Lee Denmark was aboard a Huey (tail number 68-16158) on a recon mission and was killed during the mission when the aircraft received ground fire from a hostile force, crashed, but did not burn. He was killed while on the ground during rescue attempt. Next below is a letter from his Troop Commander and gives more details about his loss.

SP4 Neil Wade Jones was an OH-6A (68-17223) gunner in D Troop 3/5 Cav (then called D Troop 17th Cav (Provisional) responding to the shootdown and was killed aboard his OH-6 trying to help the survivors of the Denmark's downed Huey. Next below are SP4 Robert Denmark's orders for his Silver Star and provides one more description of events that took his life.

SP4 Robert Lee Denmark, at the time of his death was survived by his mother, Myrtle Eudora "Dee" (nee Jones) Denmark (Gerdis after 1971), his father, William Henry "Bill" Denmark (1925- ), his Uncle Glenn Lemual Denmark (twin to William), and his brothers William Glenn and Michael Lee Denmark.

Robert is buried in the same cemetery block as his Uncle Glenn (1925-1983) in Cottowood Cemetery, Shasta County California. Both his Uncle and father served in the US Coast Guard during World War II.