VIETNAM - OAKLEY, JAMES RONALD

Oakley, James Ronald

VIETNAM - OAKLEY, JAMES RONALD
OAKLEY, JAMES RONALD

Rank: Private First Class

Unit: L Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

MOS: 11H – Heavy Anti-Armor Weapons Infantryman

Awards: Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Purple Heart Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Badges: Combat Infantryman Badge

Unit awards: Valorous Unit Award, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device

Enlisted by: Selected Service

Date of birth: 29-Sep-1946

Hometown: Grand Gorge, New York

Marital status: Married to Linda L. Oakley

Campaign: Vietnam Conflict

Entered service: 15-May-1967

Start of tour: 14-Oct-1967

Incident date: 23-Feb-1968

Date of casualty: 23-Feb-1968

Age at death: 21

Cause of death: Hostile, died. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire.
James Ronald Oakley died as the result of wound received when he was hit by hostile automatic weapons fire while on combat operation.

Location of fatality: Long Khanh, South Vietnam

Place of interment: Fairlawn Cemetery, Prattsville, New York, USA

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

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 41E 004 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

BRONZE STAR MEDAL

BRONZE STAR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS JAMES RONALD OAKLEY
23 FEBRUARY 1968
I TROOP, 3rd SQUADRON

11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

Private First Class Oakley distinguished himself by valorous actions on 23 February 1968, while serving as a Machine Gunner with Troop L, 3d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, on a reconnaissance in force mission near Xuan Thoi Son. As the armored column moved down the roadway it suddenly came under intense rocket, recoilless rifle, automatic weapons and small arms fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. Private Oakley responded quickly, directing a highly accurate volume of suppressive fire on the enemy which allowed the remainder of his platoon to assume defensive positions. While manning his weapon in his vulnerable position aboard his armored cavalry assault vehicle, he was mortally wounded by a burst of machine gun fire. Private First Class Oakley’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with he highest traditions of the military and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division General Orders No. 1565 (21 March 1968)