VIETNAM - ERIKSEN, ALF EDWARD

Eriksen, Alf Edward

VIETNAM - ERIKSEN, ALF EDWARD
ERIKSEN, ALF EDWARD

Rank: Private First Class

Unit: B Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist

Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device and Oak Leaf Cluster, 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

Enlisted by: Selected Service

Date of birth: 30-Mar-1947

Hometown: Lindenhurst, New York

Marital status: Married to Lorraine A. Eriksen

Campaign: Vietnam Conflict

Entered service: 19-Jun-1968

Start of tour: 7-Dec-1968

Incident date: 7-Jun-1969

Date of casualty: 7-Jun-1969

Age at death: 22

Cause of death: Hostile, died. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Alf Edward Eriksen was killed while a passenger on a military vehicle on a combat operation when a hostile force was encountered. / Gunner on Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) on combat operation when engaged hostile force in firefight.

Two Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
PFC Alf Edward Eriksen
SGT Kenneth Joseph Pitre

Location of fatality: Long Khanh, South Vietnam, YT 614 064

Place of interment: Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York, USA

View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 23W 097 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE AND OAK LEAF CLUSTER
POSTHUMOUS

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS ALF EDWARD ERIKSEN
7 JUNE 1969
B TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

Private First Class Eriksen distinguished himself by heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 7 June 1969 while serving as a machine gunner with Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while on a reconnaissance-in-force operation, the troop came under intense small arms, automatic weapons, mortar, and rocket propelled grenade fire from a well-concealed enemy force. After quickly determining the source of the heaviest hostile fire, Private Eriksen unhesitatingly began an assault on the well-defended enemy emplacements. His quick response and accurate machine gun fire effectively pinned down several enemy rocket-propelled grenade teams that were threatening the troop’s left flank. He continued raking the hostile positions with devastating fire until he was mortally wounded by an impacting rocket-propelled grenade. Private First Class Eriksen’s outstanding courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam General Orders No. 1774 (18 July 1969)