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27 Dec 2006
Harold (Hank) Faldermeyer and I were classmates at Fort Sill Artillery Officer Candidate School. We were friends and in the same platoon of Echo Battery. Hank was in his second tour as an ARVN (Army of the Republic of VietNam) adviser when he was killed. Below is the Citation for his Distinguished Service Cross:
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The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Harold John Faldermeyer, Captain (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with 21st DCAT, Advisory Team 51, Military Assistance Command Vietnam. Captain Faldermeyer distinguished himself on 11 May 1972 while serving as Advisor, 2d Battalion, 32d Regiment, 21st Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. On this date the 2d Battalion, which had been in heavy contact for two days without re-supply, was on an offensive operation against a firmly entrenched North Vietnamese Army Regiment to open Highway 13 to relieve the tightening ring of enemy forces around the beleaguered friendly forces at An Loc. Captain Faldermeyer, with disregard for his own safety, repeatedly throughout the day, exposed himself to enemy fire to direct a series of deadly effective tactical airstrikes against the enemy positions. At approximately 1030 hours the 2d Battalion was attacked by at least one NVA reinforced battalion. Captain Faldermeyer, as the ground controller for U.S. air assets, with single minded determination to accomplish the mission and at great risk to his life, moved under heavy enemy mortar fire across Highway 13, to a vantage point from which to direct and coordinate friendly airstrikes. His position was extremely perilous as he was exposed on three sides with the remainder of his unit across Highway 13. Despite intense enemy mortar and rocket fire, Captain Faldermeyer remained at this position. Captain Faldermeyer's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
HQ US Army, Vietnam
MACV Support Command
General Order No. 1924 (August 19, 1972)
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From a friend, classmate, and fellow officer,
Ed Mihalacki
Mt Pleasant, Pa
stclara@wpa.net
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