08 Sep 2003 Franklin Neel was from a small community in West Virginia, the town of Gap Mills, Monroe County, West Virginia. With his great personality and winning smile, he had many friends. He lost his life right in his prime but proudly fought for his country that he loved. He is sadly missed by all of us who knew and loved him. You will always be remembered!!!!! A memorial initiated by a friend. E-mail address is not available.

 

26 Sep 2004 Dad, you will forever live on in our hearts. Both Michael (myself) and Thomas love you and think of you often. From his son, Michael R Neel mikeneel@comcast.net

 

28 Sep 2004 Dad, I just found out about this page from Mike. I think of you quite often (even after all these years) and seeing this page about you brings tears to my eyes. You would be very proud of both your sons. And I want you to know, you have two grand-daughters that you would be equally proud of: Lauren and Cori. Your family misses you. From his son, Tom F. Neel E-mail address is not available.

 

23 Mar 2006 Dear Uncle Frank, This memorial is just a small token to our family hero, but it's the best we can do. Know that after all these years, you are not forgotten. You live on in our memories. Tom has compiled family videos that he presented to all of us, and of course you star quite prominently in them. And if you're not in the shot, you were holding the camera, playing your version of "Candid Camera"! You'd be very, very proud of both of your boys, and you would have such a good time teasing your granddaughters like you did me and and my sister, Barbara. We all think of you often, and we still miss you and your jokes, big smiles and hugs. You live on in our hearts. Your niece Linda Stark write_edit@hotmail.com

 

HEADQUARTERS 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION (AIRMOBILE) APO San Francisco 96490 21 January 1970 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 1241 AWARD OF THE SILVER STAR 1. TC 320. The following AWARD is announced posthumously. NEEL, FRANKLIN W. SERGEANT FIRST CLASS United States Army HQ & HQ Company, 2d Brigade (Airmobile) Awarded: Silver Star Date action: 23 December 1969 Theater: Republic of Vietnam Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918. Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Neel distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action on 23 December 1969, while serving as squad leader for the ready reaction force with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade (Airmobile) in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant First Class Neel deployed his squad to their assigned positions in order to counter an anticipated sapper attack. Within five minutes, a second barrage of rockets and mortars fell on the ready reaction force positions. Sergeant First Class Neel left the relative security of his covered position to ensure that his squad was properly deployed and taking advantage of all existing cover. While engaged in these duties, a mortar round landed directly in front of him, killing him instantly. His gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. FOR THE COMMANDER: JOSEPH P. KINGSTON Colonel, GS Chief of Staff OFFICIAL: BRUCE B. BINGHAM 1LT, AGC Asst AG

 

Notes from The Virtual Wall Four men died in the attack on 23 Dec 1969: HHC, 2nd Bde, 1 Cav Div, USARV SFC Daniel W. Edwards, Albuquerque, NM SFC Franklin W. Neel, Gap Mills, WV (Silver Star) SFC Edward L. Rogers, Cedartown, GA HHB, 1st Bn, 77th Artillery SFC Clifford Montgomery, Louisville, KY While three of the four (SFC Edwards, SFC Neel, and SFC Montgomery) are carried as assigned to HHB, 1/77 Artillery, on the 5th Cavalry's HHB 1/77 Arty memorial the 77th Artillery Association site claims only SFC Montgomery. Additional unit-of-assignment information has become available since this memorial was first published, unequivocally placing SFC Edwards, SFC Neel, and SFC Rogers as assigned to the Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and confirming SFC Montgomery's assignment to 1/77 Arty.

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