Reid, Edward Rowan Jr.
Army Private 1st class
Edward Rowan Jr. Reid, age 23, from North, California, Los Angeles county.
Service era: Vietnam
Military history: 35th Infantry Regiment
Date of death: Wednesday, March 1, 1967
Death details: Bronze Star citation: For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Private First Class Reid distinguished himself by heroic actions on March 1 1967, while serving as a rifleman for the Reconnaissance Platoon of the 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, during a search and destroy mission when it made contact with an estimated North Vietnamese company-size force. Private First Class Reid was ordered to maneuver to the right flank of the platoon with the remainder of his squad. This was in the direction of the heaviest contact at that time. Private First Class Reid engaged the enemy with other elements of his squad, but he noticed that part of his squad’s sector was left uncovered by fire. He immediately moved, without command, to this sector and encountered two North Vietnamese soldiers firing automatic weapons and attempting to penetrate the right flank of the platoon. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he engaged the two enemy soldiers head-on and brought effective fire upon them, eliminating them both and preventing further exploitation of the platoon’s right flank. Private First Class Reid was mortally wounded in his engagement with the enemy, but through his decisive actions and personal courage, his platoon was able to successfully accomplish its mission and overrun the enemy, Private First Class Reid’s outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Cemetery: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
Source: National Archives, 35th Infantry Regiment Association
