John Joseph Link

First Lieutenant
C CO, 1ST BN, 27TH INF RGT, 25 INF DIV
Army of the United States
22 June 1944 - 19 June 1968
Chittenango, New York
Panel 56W Line 036

25 INF DIV

27TH INF RGT
Joe Link

Combat Infantry

Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for John Joseph Link

20 May 2002

1LT John Link was my TAC Officer in Officer Candidate School.

His name was on the 2d Brigade Wall when I arrived in Vietnam.

From a fellow soldier,
Paul Robinson
probinson@jbaheaders.com

24 May 2002

Lt. Link,

It is difficult finding the appropriate words to put down to honor you. We were virtually as "two ships passing in the night". I reported to Charlie Co. You would be my new Platoon Leader. I did not know then we were from the same part of Upstate New York, 20 miles apart ... Chittenango - Utica.

I've located Phil Arterbury and we often recall you and the many members of our Platoon. You were a fine officer, I wish I had known you better. In difficult times a familarity makes the endurance a bit easier, only had we known!

June 19th ... It was truly a sad day, Charlie 2 was decimated.

We who remained felt less confident with the loss of so many proven and courageous men. I salute you and all those who died that day. I shall seek your place of rest in Chittenango, I will always remember the day you welcomed me. Rest in Peace. You truly were an Officer and a Gentleman.

Roc DiPierro
wolf25th@aol.com

04 Nov 2003

Lieutenant John Joseph Link is my uncle. We were notified of his loss on his birthday, June 22 ... I was 9 years old. My uncle "Joe" was more like a combination of brother and father to me. He taught me how to fish in the cold streams of upstate New York where we lived. His life was filled with promise. He was bright and kind with the spark of little boy mischief always quick to flare. So many of his lessons have followed me into my adulthood. His loss still causes tears to stream. John Joseph Link was a wonderful young man. Thank you for remembering him. He is always with me.

Cynthia R Link
link2cynthia@aol.com




19 Nov 2003

Joe Link and his MG

This picture of 1st Lt John Joseph Link was taken before his deployment to Viet Nam. He bought this MG and LOVED this car. We are working on finding another that is more clear ... but this photo is him ... laughing and filled with the joy of just being.

4 Jul 2004

Lt Link had Paul Brown and me low crawl around the barracks at Officer Candidate class 67-68 in May of 1967. I grew to respect him as a fine officer and a great TAC.

From a former student,
David M. Clem
Captain, US Army
127 Buckboard Dr, Augusta Ga 30907
davclem7@comcast.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

The 1st Battalion of the 27th Infantry lost 12 men on 19 June 1968 during an engagement at a landing zone at Rach Tra on the Saigon River:
  • C Company:
    • 1LT John J. Link, Chittenango, NY
    • SP4 Jeffery H. Hall, Dowagiac, MI
    • SP4 Charles A. McKinney, Donaldsonville, LA
    • SP4 Bobby D. Stanley, Dalhart, TX
    • PFC David R. Bartholomew, Kresgeville, PA
    • PFC John S. Brown, Orleans, IN
    • PFC James R. Fry, Los Alamitos, CA
    • PFC Michael J. Johnson, Owosso, MI
    • PFC Larry R. Olson, McHenry, ND
    • PFC Fred Wilson, Birmingham, AL
    • PFC Robert G. Zink, Stevens Point, WI
    • PVT Eugene L. Manselle, Hartford, CT

  • D Company:
    • SGT John V. Quintal, Somerville, MA
    • SP4 Ruben D. Mercado-Gutierrez, Santurce, PR
    • PVT Gary D. Woods, Madison, IL




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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009