Gregory Dean UnzickerStaff SergeantD CO, 1ST BN, 12TH CAVALRY, 1 CAV DIV Army of the United States 08 September 1949 - 17 July 1970 St Joseph, Missouri Panel 08W Line 024 |
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Photo courtesy of his daughter |
The database page for Gregory Dean Unzicker
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On 16 July 70, D 1/12 did a combat assault into an AO. That night, while setting trips and flares, Terry Van Ochten and I spotted VC, but nobody believed us. Terry told me that he had joined the Army so he could get his service over with and then get married. During the night, VC set off two alpha-alphas that 3-6 had set on a trail. On the morning of 17 July 70, I breakfasted with Greg. He told me about his wife and that she was expecting, and he was looking forward to being with her in Hawaii on leave. We policed up the trips and flares, and upon the CO's order began humping down a trail. At 0940, we got ambushed. Greg was carrying one of the 60s and he got hit right away. In three seconds, Terry Van Ochten (Don's assistant gunner), and another kid were dead along with Robert Crichton. When I left Vietnam 27 April 71, I vowed to make good on the second chance at life that God had given me and not to these good men. I got lucky. I could never in good faith claim that I suffer from PTSD. I am glad I survived.
From an Army buddy, |
A Note from The Virtual WallThe engagement described by Mr. de la Puente above is mentioned in the MACV Summary for July 1970:"17 July 1970 - An element of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), engaged an undetermined size enemy force 11 miles N-NW of Phuoc Binh. Enemy losses are unknown while U.S. casualties were four killed and seven wounded."The four soldiers from Delta 1/12 Cav were
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is an Army buddy, Frank de la Puente 1542 Wallace Road N W #121, Salem, Or 97304 fdelapuente.esq@gmail.com |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 01 Oct 2007
Last updated 07/20/2008