Joe Edward Raber
Sergeant
C CO, 1ST BN, 5TH INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Holden, Missouri
October 14, 1950 to May 16, 1970
JOE E RABER is on the Wall at Panel W10, Line 53

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Joe E Raber
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24 Nov 2002

Photos courtesy of
Larry Vunak

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"Zulu" - dark hair, extreme left.
"Doc Tap" - medic, blond hair in background
Lester - squad leader - in backgraound,d ark hair, behind radio antenna
Oscar Solis - KIA May 9, 1970 - Cambodia, dark hair, arm wrapped around radio antenna
"Lurch" - front, no shirt - driver
Larry Vunak - front center, under helmet
Joe Raber, Killed May 16, 1970. Track TC, center of picture, open shirt

REMEMBERED

by his comrades in the
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5th Infantry - the Bobcats

 
22 Apr 2003

Joe was my best friend. We grew up together from babies, he was 1 and 1 half months older than me. He joined the Army when we graduated and was killed in Viet Nam 16 May 1970. When he came home me and his other friends here at home carried him to his final resting place.

On December 10, 1970, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Raber of Holden were presented Joe's decorations. Major Robert G. Eveleth presented the medals at the Rabers' home. Joe received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, and National Defense Medal. He had also received the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

I'd like to hear from anyone who could tell me about Joe and his time in Viet Nam and how his last days were. I just want to know more, it's hard to lose a buddy even after all these years. Just wish I could have been there to help.

Frank Hobbs
SP4 Combat Medic
July 1970-Feb 1972
291 NW 1771, Kingsville, MO. 64061
fhobbs@peoplepc.com


 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

On 16 May 1970 C Company, 1/5th Infantry, was on stand-down at the Tay Ninh base camp. In the evening, while Company members were waiting for a show to start, a soldier from the 125th Signal Battalion fired his M-16 into the gathering. Two men were killed, SGT Joe E. Raber and CPL Gary R. White of Hewett, West Virginia. A number of others were wounded.

The soldier, SP4 James E. Paul, was later convicted by Court Martial of two counts of voluntary manslaughter and ten counts of assault to commit voluntary manslaughter.


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