Rank: Specialist 4
Unit: K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11B – Infantryman
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: Meritorious Unit Citation, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: M-113A1, ACAV, K-13
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 17-Dec-1942
Hometown: Trappe, Maryland
Marital status: Married to Bernice Ireland, one daughter
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 18-Oct-1965
Start of tour: 10-Jan-1967
Incident date: 21-May-1967
Date of casualty: 21-May-1967
Age at death: 24
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Burns/Smoke Inhalation. Burns. Individual was on convoy escort mission when engaged in firefight with a hostile force.
Seventeen Blackhorse troopers died in this incident:
SP5 William Phillip Centers Jr
SGT Eugene Harold Dickinson
PVT Jerry Lee Houser
SP4 Toler Lee Hutchins Jr
SP4 Phillip Earl Ireland
SSG James Albert Jackson
SGT Alfred Lee
PFC Patrick Michael Loisel
SP4 Henry David McInnis
SP4 James David McWhorter
SP4 Anthony Wilfred Roybal
PFC Rodolfo Andres Saenz
SSG Walter Stephen Simpson
PFC William Charles Stanley
SP4 James Thomas Steighner
SP4 Dwight Elmer Timberlake
SP4 Larry Allen Williamson
Location of fatality: Long Khanh, South Vietnam, YT 564 054
Place of interment: Woodlawn Memorial Park, Easton, Maryland, USA
View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)
BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SPECIALIST FOUR PHILLIP EARL IRELAND
21 MAY 1967
K TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Specialist Four Ireland distinguished himself by valorous actions on 21 May 1967, while serving as machine gunner on an Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle during a fierce encounter with the enemy on Route 1 near Soui Cat, Vietnam. As the armored convoy moved down a narrow road bordered on both sides with brush and slight vegetation, it suddenly came under a murderous volume of recoilless rifle and automatic weapons fire from a well-entrenched, numerically superior Viet Cong force. Without regard for personal safety and fully realizing the perils of the situation, Specialist Ireland alertly detected the enemy’s position and began directing his suppressive fire on the insurgents. As the heavy exchange of fire ensued, Specialist Ireland’s vehicle was struck by several anti-tank rounds. Although wounded and suffering much pain, Specialist Ireland remained at his machine gun position until he was mortally wounded. Specialist Four Ireland’s personal bravery 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, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 1931 (27 June 1967)