Joseph George Gill

The database page for Joseph George Gill

04 Apr 2008 Joseph G. Gill, of Momany Street, Oregon, was a member of a tank crew in Troop B, 1st Squadron, of the 4th Cavalry, of the 1st Infantry Division. Private First Class Gill had only been in South Vietnam since 28 March, 1968, when his unit was sent north from the Di An base camp on a reconnaissance in force mission following a report of enemy tanks having been sighted. In his last letter home to his family, 3 May 68, Joseph (known as Joey to his family and friends) wrote, "We leave tomorrow to go up north cause they said the V.C. (Viet Cong) has thirteen tanks up there so we have to go knock them out if we can." Little did Pfc. Gill realize they would encounter a numerically superior force and become engaged in a battle that would claim his life. At approximately 1323 hours, 5 May 68, southeast of the Phu Loi Base Camp of the American forces, B Troop found the enemy. Soon thereafter the lead tank of the American armored column was struck by a rocket round, seriously wounding the entire tank crew. PFC Gill then left his tank and ran through a hail of enemy fire to reach the disabled tank and its crew, manning the tank's machine gun as others joined him. PFC Gill proceeded to deliver devastating fire on enemy positions using the machine gun while also acting as loader for the tank's main gun, thus gaining fire superiority over the enemy. For approximately 30 minutes PFC Gill was able to maintain these actions until he was felled by an RPG round that struck the tank, killing him. B Troop was reinforced by A Troopers and military reports list the entire engagement lasting about six and one half hours, before the enemy retreated and contact was broken. According to the after action report for the engagement, U.S. Army brigades from the 18th Infantry, the 28th Infantry, and the 4th Calvary (Gill's unit), encountered elements of the 165th Viet Cong Regiment. Four U.S. Army tanks were hit with RPG rounds causing one of the tanks to catch fire and burn. The battle resumed on 6 May 68 in the jungle area as American forces flushed out the remaining enemy Viet Cong fighters. Enemy losses were listed as 440 VC killed. PFC Gill lived in Oregon, Ohio and graduated from Clay Senior High School in June 1967. One of ten children, Joseph Gill's brother Robert Gill (Army) had also been serving in Vietnam near the time of Joseph's death. PFC Joseph Gill was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" Device for heroism (Valor), and an Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in addition to other awards. Placed by Jerry Eversman Researcher jeversman@aol.com and his nephew Ronald Gill U. S. Marine Corps Veteran 8820 Corduroy Road, Curtice, Oh 43412 pagill@roadrunner.com DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION APO San Francisco 96345 28 May 1968 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 5051 AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL (First Oak Leaf Cluster) 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. GILL, JOSEPH G RA11705490 PRIVATE FIRST CLASS E3 United States Army Troop B 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry Awarded: Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device Date action: 5 May 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For heroism not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: On this date, Private First Class Gill was serving with his troop during a reconnaissance in force operation southeast of Phu Loi Base Camp. The unit was suddenly subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire by a numerically superior North Vietnamense force. During the initial exchange of fire, one of the lead tanks in the armored column received a direct hit by a rocket round which caused the entire crew to be seriously wounded. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Private First Class Gill voluntarily advanced through the hail of hostile rounds toward the diabled vehicle so that he could use the tank's guns to maintain fire superiority over the hostile forces. As soon as he reached the vehicle, he began acting as both loader and gunner while a new crew brought effective fire on the enemy. Private First Class Gill fired his machine gun with such speed and accuracy, while he simultaneously assisted in loading the main gun, that the fire from the vehicle soon suppressed enemy activity to their front. For approximately 30 minutes, he continued his devastating fire until the vehicle was stuck by another round and he became mortally wounded. His example of courage and initiative during the perilous situation was an inspiration to his comrades who vigorously continued to repel the insurgents. Private First Class Gill's outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962. FOR THE COMMANDER: ARCHIE R. HYLE Colonel, GS Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: A. F. CROWLEY JR Captain, AGC Assistant Adjutant General DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION APO San Francisco 96345 19 May 1968 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 4615 AWARD OF ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. GILL, JOSEPH G RA11705490 PRIVATE FIRST CLASS E3 United States Army Troop B 1st Squadron 4th Cavalry Awarded: Army Commendation Medal Date action: March 1968 to May 1968 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Reason: For meritorious service Authority: By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of AR 672-5-1. FOR THE COMMANDER: ARCHIE R. HYLE Colonel, GS Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: S. R. GUINN First Lieutenant, AGC Assistant Adjutant General

A Note from The Virtual Wall The engagements described above took place about 9 kilometers northwest of Di An. Four US soldiers are known to have died in the fighting on 05 and 06 May 1968: B Co, 1st Bn, 18th Infantry, 06 May PFC Terry L. Moore, Richmond Heights, MO A Trp, 1st Sqdn, 4th Cavalry, 06 May SSG Haywood Johnson, Monroe, NC SGT Stanley J. Vossen, Inglewood, CA B Trp, 1st Sqdn, 4th Cavalry, 05 May PFC Joseph G. Gill, Toledo, OH (Bronze Star "V")

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his nephew and U. S. Marine Corps Veteran, Ronald Gill 8820 Corduroy Road, Curtice, Oh 43412 pagill@roadrunner.com

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 04 Apr 2008
Last updated 04/16/2008