Rank: Private First Class
Unit: H Company, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11E – Armor Crewman
Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: Operation Fargo
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 12-Jul-1948
Hometown: Peoria, Illinois
Marital status: Never Married
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 14-Mar-1967
Start of tour: 22-Aug-1967
Incident date: 6-Jan-1968
Date of casualty: 6-Jan-1968
Age at death: 19
Cause of death: Hostile, Died. Explosive Device. Other explosive device.
Troy Cleveland Battles died from metal fragment wounds received while a passenger in a tank on combat operation when the vehicle was hit by a hostile phosphorous rifle grenade.
Three Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
PFC Troy Cleveland Battles
PFC John Martin Jr
CPL Jerry Wayne Wickam
Location of fatality: Binh Long, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Springdale Cemetery and Mausoleum, Peoria, Illinois, USA
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BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SPECIALIST FOUR TROY C BATTLES
6 JANUARY 1968
H COMPANY, 2nd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Private First Class Battles distinguished himself by valorous actions on 6 January 1968 while serving as a loader on a tank that was participating in a search and destroy mission southwest of Loc Ninh Vietnam. During the conduct of the operations Private Battles was charged with the responsibility of providing security for the tank commander in the event of enemy attack. As the column of armored vehicles proceeded down the road, they suddenly came under an intense volume of rockets automatic weapons and small arms fire from a well concealed and determined Viet Cong force. Without hesitation or regard for personal safety, Private Battles began directing a devastating volume of highly accurate suppressive fire on the insurgents allowing the tank commander time to analyze the situation and direct his forces. Suddenly, an enemy rocket round struck the tank on which Private Battles was serving, wounding several crew members and mortally wounding Private Battles. Private Battles extreme courage and aggressive determination were an inspiration to all those with whom he served and contributed significantly to the defeat of the enemy force. Private-First Class Battles’ personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 420 (26 January 1968)