Rank: First Lieutenant
Unit: G Troop, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 1204 – Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander
Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Enlisted by: Reserve
Commission Source: Armor OCS Class 30-67 D1, Fort Knox, Kentucky
Date of birth: 5-Dec-1946
Hometown: Monrovia, California
Marital status: Married to Mary L. Newman
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 11-May-1966
Start of tour: 6-Apr-1969
Incident date: 15-Jul-1969
Date of casualty: 15-Jul-1969
Age at death: 22
Cause of death: Hostile, died of wounds. Grenade. Multiple fragmentation wounds.
Dennis Earl Newman died from a wound received while commander of a military vehicle on a combat operation when a hostile force was encountered. He was admitted to a military medical facility, placed on the Very Serious Injury (VSI) list, and later expired. / Track commander of Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) on reactionary force. Engaged hostile force in firefight. Admitted to 2d Surgical Hospital, Lai Khe, on 15 Jul 1969 at 1545 hrs and placed on Very Serious Injury (VSI) list on 15 Jul 1969 at 1615 hrs, and later expired. Incident occurred on 15 Jul 1969 at 1400 hrs.
Location of fatality: Tay Ninh, South Vietnam
Place of interment: Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar, California, USA
View this soldier‘s Find a Grave page (opens in a new window)
SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUS
FIRST LIEUTENANT DENNIS EARL NEWMAN, ARMOR
15 JULY 1969
G TROOP, 2nd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
First Lieutenant Newman distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 15 July 1969 while serving as a platoon leader with Troop G, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the republic of Vietnam. On this date Troop G was conducting a reconnaissance mission when they were suddenly engaged by an unknown size North Vietnamese Army force. The assault vehicle in front of Lieutenant Newman’s received a direct hit from a rocket propelled grenade, immobilizing it. Lieutenant Newman maneuvered his vehicle along the side of the other and provided excellent protection so that the injured crewmen could be treated and evacuated. As the intense hail of hostile fire continued to rain about him, he crawled to the side of an infantryman who had been seriously injured. He rendered vital first aid while under the most intense fire and was returning fire so the man could be transferred when automatic weapons fire raked his body, seriously wounding him. Despite his painful injuries, he continued to fire against the determined enemy until he collapsed from loss of blood and later died. First Lieutenant Newman’s devotion to duty and giving his life in defense of his comrades 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. 2816 (7 October 1969)
BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
FIRST LIEUTENANT DENNIS EARL NEWMAN, ARMOR
3 JUNE 1969
G TROOP, 2nd SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
First Lieutenant Newman distinguished himself by heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile force on 3 June 1969 while serving as a platoon leader with Troop G, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while the troop and a tank platoon were conducting a reconnaissance operation, they suddenly came under intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a well-fortified enemy company. The friendly force quickly began an assault on the hostile positions. After overrunning several enemy bunkers, Lieutenant Newman’s platoon began receiving intense hostile fire from its flank. While leading his vehicles toward the enemy emplacements, he noticed a rocket-propelled grenade team firing from a bunker to his left. Although his vehicle was being raked by automatic weapons fire, Lieutenant Newman advanced toward the fortifications and tossed two grenades inside, killing the two occupants. He then rejoined the assault formation and continued to lead his platoon until the hostile force had been routed. First Lieutenant Newman’s 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. 2488 (26 September 1969)