Delta Company 1/20
Delta Company, 1st Of The 20th, 11th Light Infantry Brigade
Americal Division
Clifford Da Van Artsdalen
Specialist 4 Clifford Da Van Artsdalen
Company 'D', 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry
On 9 May 1968 (see note), he was on a combat operation with his unit in Quang Tin Province,
South Vietnam. The unit was operating about 20 miles west of the city of Tam Ky.
At 1300 hours, the weapons platoon assumed a front-firing position. Specialist
4 Van Artsdalen and two others were sent to a position to provide a base of fire.
At this time, the enemy returned a heavy volume of fire and an explosion was seen
from their position with a helmet seen to be flying through the air. The weapons
platoon sergeant near the position saw that Specialist 4 Van Artsdalen had been
hit in the head.
Two men who attempted to recover his body were also wounded. Because of the heavy
fire, his remains could not be recovered at this time.
Searches of the battle area were conducted as well as could be in view of the
hostility of the area.
He was listed as being Killed / Body Not Recovered ( BNR ).
YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE
Clay Marston
Biographical Researcher
Note:
While the Army shows Van Artdalen's date as May 9th, personnel who were present at the time, and witnessed his loss, state that the date was May 11th, not the 9th. Military records are being researched to positively confirm the date.
When confirmation has been completed, it will be reported back to the military authorities.
