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18 Feb 2008
Specialist Four Ervin Ellis Harris was just two weeks past his 21st birthday when he lost his life in a fierce two-day battle in a rubber plantation five miles northeast of Loc Ninh, in Binh Long Province, South Vietnam. On 29 Nov 68, his unit Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 2nd Infantry Regiment, of the 1st Infantry Division teamed with Charlie Company to sweep an area infested with entrenched NVA regulars. The enemy was estimated to be near 1,000 soldiers. The day before, Bravo Company had gone into battle and sustained many casualties and withdrew from the fighting.
Specialist Harris was the RTO for the Alpha Company Commander, Captain Kenneth Bowen. Alpha and Charlie companies engaged the enemy at approximately 1100 hours on 29 Nov. Alpha's APCs were on the left with Charlie Co's APCs on the right. According to Captain Bowen it was a "hellatious day" against an enemy that was in bunkers and fox holes. The NVA poured small arms fire, automatic weapon fire, and rocket-propelled grenades from their fortified positions against the advancing troopers. Captain Bowen said air strikes and heavy artillery fire was called in to dislodge the NVA regulars. The fighting, which lasted some four and a half hours for the dismounted infantry, became intermingled, and close in, between the opposing forces as the NVA reportedly tried to flank the Americans numerous times. In the end the American forces, with the ARVNs assigned rear security, prevailed and the NVA evaded and withdrew, presumably into Cambodia.
Captain Bowen recommended Specialist Four Ervin Harris for a Bronze Star with "V" device citing Harris' complete disregard for his personal safety in maneuvering through the hail of hostile rounds to remain at the side of his CO, relaying vital information over the radio. It was only after the CO and RTOs took a position atop the CO's track (to get a better look at the overall picture of the battle raging on) did a RPG round impact nearby and a piece of shrapnel strike Specialist Harris in the back of his head killing him instantly. Four other Alpha Company soldiers died that day along with two from Charlie Company. Enemy losses were reported to be from 78 to 148, from differing accounts.
Specialist Four Ervin Harris grew up in Oregon, Ohio, graduating from Clay Senior High School in 1966. He played football and was
an accomplished wrestler, winning league, sectional, and district titles before losing his first individual match at the state tournament, his senior year. Following high school he attended the United Electronics Institute in Akron, Ohio, before being drafted and entering the Army on his 20th birthday. He earned three Bronze Stars, two with "V" device, and an Army Commendation Medal, in addition to his other awards.
From a researcher/biographer in Oregon, Ohio,
Jerry Eversman
jeversman@aol.com
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96345
7 December 1968
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 12799
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
HARRIS, ERVIN E. US51833553 SPECIALIST FOUR United States Army
Company A, 2d Battalion (Mechanized) 2d Infantry
| Awarded: |
Bronze Star Medal |
| Date action: |
August 1968 to November 1968 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For meritorious service.
|
| Authority: |
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962.
|
FOR THE COMMANDER:
ARCHIE R. HYLE
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
ALAN W. PENICK
FIRST LIEUTENANT, AGC
Assistant Adjutant General
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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96345
7 December 1968
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 12810
AWARD OF THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
HARRIS, ERVIN E. US51833553 SPECIALIST FOUR United States Army
Company A, 2d Battalion (Mechanized) 2d Infantry
| Awarded: |
Army Commendation Medal |
| Date action: |
August 1968 to November 1968 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For meritorious achievement.
|
| Authority: |
By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of AR 672-5-1.
|
FOR THE COMMANDER:
ARCHIE R. HYLE
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
ALAN W. PENICK
FIRST LIEUTENANT, AGC
Assistant Adjutant General
|
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96345
16 December 1968
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 13164
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
(Second Oak Leaf Cluster)
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
HARRIS, ERVIN E. US51833553 SPECIALIST FOUR United States Army
Company A, 2d Battalion (Mechanized) 2d Infantry
| Awarded: |
Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) |
| Date action: |
17 October 1968 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For heroism not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: On this date, Specialist Harris was serving as a radio-telephone operator for his battalion commander during a mission to reinforce a company which was heavily engaged with an undetermined size enemy force. Although aware that the road he would be traveling might be mined, Specialist Harris voluntarily positioned himself aboard the lead track in order to keep the commander closely informed of the tactical situation. After arriving at the area of contact, he repeatedly exposed himself to the intense hostile fire, as he accompanied the battalion commander from location to location. Throughout the battle, Specialist Harris maintained calm and efficient communications and was of great assistance in the effective control of the friendly forces. His courageous initiative and determination significantly contributed to the successful outcome of the encounter. Specialist Four Harris' outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
|
| Authority: |
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962.
|
FOR THE COMMANDER:
ARCHIE R. HYLE
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
LARRY L. WARREN
Captain, AGC
Assistant Adjutant General
|
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION
APO San Francisco 96345
16 December 1968
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 13165
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
(First Oak Leaf Cluster)
1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously.
HARRIS, ERVIN E. US51833553 SPECIALIST FOUR United States Army
Company A, 2d Battalion (Mechanized) 2d Infantry
| Awarded: |
Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) with "V" Device |
| Date action: |
29 November 1968 |
| Theater: |
Republic of Vietnam |
| Reason: |
For heroism not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: On this date, Specialist Harris was serving as a radio-telephone operator with his mechanized company on a battalion-minus reconnaissance in force operation north of Loc Ninh. As the friendly force advanced toward an enemy bunker complex from which it was receiving intense fire, Specialist Harris remained with his company commander to relay vital information. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Specialist Harris maneuvered through the hail of hostile rounds to maintain constant communication for his company commander and put forth suppressive automatic rifle fire. Specialist Harris climbed atop an armored personnel carrier and while placing devastating barrages on the insurgents, he was mortally wounded by enemy rocket-propelled grenade fire. His exemplary courage, professionalism, and heroic determination significantly contributed to the successful accomplishment of his unit's mission. Specialist Four Harris' outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
|
| Authority: |
By direction of the President, under the provisions of Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962.
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FOR THE COMMANDER:
ARCHIE R. HYLE
Colonel, GS
Chief of Staff
OFFICIAL:
LARRY L. WARREN
Captain, AGC
Assistant Adjutant General
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