The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Edward Rowan Reid Jr., who died in the service of his country on March 1st, 1967 in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Grenade. At the time of his death Edward was 23 years of age. He was from Glendale, California. Edward is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 15E, Line 129.
The decorations earned by PFC Edward Rowan Reid Jr. include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
Ted was an accomplished artist who did at least 18 charcoal drawings of Vietnam scenes before his death. Ted was engaged to be married after his tour and had asked David Ramirez, also killed with him, to be his best man.Please follow the link below to view some of the drawings.
"Ted had the bluest eyes I have ever seen. His hair was the color of golden straw. One word to describe Ted would be "artist". He was very talented and always working on a drawing or painting. He could also play several musical instruments and even showed some acting talent.
Ted was never meant to be a solider. In his own words he said, "I will do anything to prevent my brother (Randy) and my future sons from having to go through this." Among his belongings sent home were a sketch pad, he carried in his pants, with pictures of the people of Vietnam. The last picture was of the ocean done on the day he was killed.
Ted left behind his mother and father - Helen and Ed Reid, Sisters - Louise and Nancy, Brother - Randy, and fiancee - Carol Massey.
A part of a song for him reads "You were robbed, I was cheated, in the worse of deals." By his niece Christie McCarthy."
From his fiancee,
Carol Massey Anderson
andersc@wwics.com
Ted was killed when a white phosphorous grenade he was carrying was hit by an enemy projectile.
Ted is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, CA. His marker reads:
"Art Was His Life,
War His Death"
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR FOR HEROISM, GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER 761, HHC 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION
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.
http://www.virtualwall.org/dr/ReidER01a.htm |
