VIETNAM - REITWIESNER, JOHN CHARLES

Reitwiesner, John Charles

VIETNAM - REITWIESNER, JOHN CHARLES
REITWIESNER, JOHN CHARLES

Rank: Sergeant

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

MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist

Awards: Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, 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: Regular

Date of birth: 7-Aug-1946

Hometown: New Fairfield, Connecticut

Marital status: Never Married

Campaign: Vietnam Conflict

Entered service: 19-Aug-1968

Start of tour: 3-May-1969

Incident date: 21-Jan-1970

Date of casualty: 21-Jan-1970

Age at death: 23

Cause of death: Hostile, died. Unknown. Other causes.
John Charles Reitwiesner was killed while commander of a military vehicle on a combat operation when a hostile force was encountered. / Track commander on Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle (ACAV) on combat operation.  Engaged hostile force in firefight.

Location of fatality: Binh Long, South Vietnam, XU 772 165

Place of interment: New Fairfield Cemetery, New Fairfield, Connecticut, USA

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

Vietnam Veterans Memorial panel and row: 14W 054 (view Vietnam Veterans Memorial link in a new window)

 

SILVER STAR

SILVER STAR
POSTHUMOUS

SERGEANT JOHN CHARLES REITWIESNER
21 JANUARY 1970
C TROOP, 1st SQUADRON
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT

Sergeant Reitwiesner distinguished himself by gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force on 21 January 1970 while serving as a tank commander with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date while conducting a reconnaissance mission, Sergeant Reitwiesner’s troop came under intense rocket propelled grenade, mortar, and automatic weapons fire by an estimate battalion of North Vietnamese Army soldiers. Disregarding his own safety, he immediately began assaulting the bunkers in which the enemy was entrenched. Throughout the firefight, Sergeant Reitwiesner continually exposed himself to the intense hostile fire in order to better engage the enemy. Suddenly, an enemy rocket propelled grenade struck his vehicle and disabled it. Braving the hostile fire, he remained in the cupola to direct suppressive fire upon the enemy. He remained in this position until another rocket propelled grenade struck the vehicle, mortally wounding him. Sergeant Reitwiesner’s actions 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. 1327 (30 March 1970)