Columbus Virgle GrossSergeantA CO, 7TH ENG BN, 5TH INFANTRY DIVISION, USARV Army of the United States 10 April 1950 - 21 May 1971 Rensselaer, Indiana Panel 03W Line 045 |
 
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The database page for Columbus Virgle Gross
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Virgle Gross served in Vietnam, I believe in 1970. He was killed by a mortar while in a bunker. I never knew him, but someone very dear to me told me he was the kindest and most loving young man she had ever known. I just returned from Iraq two weeks ago after an 18 month deployment, and although I am very proud to have done my duty, I now know exactly what "sacrifice" means. I wasn't born until 1971, so I'm sad to admit how unfortunate I was to not have known Virgil on a personal note. However, I can say how proud and fortunate I have become to understanding the sacrifices he made for my freedom. He and his fellow fallen comrades "are gone, but not forgotten." The lady who told me so much about Virgil was my mother; Virgil is my first cousin. He is family; more ways than one. And that makes me very proud, indeed.
Carrie Southern P.S. - if anyone remembers serving with Virgle during Vietnam, please contact me. I would love to learn more about the "Military Virgle".... |
A Note from The Virtual WallBy April 1971 almost all Marine forces had been withdrawn from Quang Tri Province, with a consequent build-up of U. S. Army forces relocated from further south. Operation MONTANA MUSTANG (08 Apr - 11 Jul 71) was a 5th Infantry Division operation intended "to locate and destroy enemy forces, eliminate VCI, conduct reaction/exploitation operations and assist in pacification and Vietnamization in Quang Tri Province." 5th ID units occupied a number of positions previously held by USMC units, including Fire Support Base C-2 a bit south of the DMZ. The After Action Report for MONTANA MAULER contains the following entry for 21 May 1971:"1-61 [at FSB C-2] started to receive 122mm rockets equipped with delayed fuzes. Altogether 11 rockets landed within the perimeter. At 1744H the seventh rocket struck the club bunker which was occupied by an estimated 65-70 personnel. The bunker collapsed on those inside and rescue operations were begun immediately. All available personnel and equipment were requested and employed, and C/1-61 arrived from Quang Tri CB as a reaction force at 2100H. Excavation rescue and dustoff activities finally ceased at approximately 0200H on 22 May. From the incident there were 29 KIA's and 33 WIA's."The 29 men killed in the collapsing bunker were
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is his cousin, Carrie Southern Sneedville, Tennessee carrie.southern@us.army.mil 22 Nov 2005 |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 11/27/2005