The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, 2LT Randall Dale Shaffer, who died in the service of his country on November 14th, 1967 in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Helicopter Crash. At the time of his death Randall was 21 years of age. He was from Aurora, West Virginia. Randall is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 29E, Line 98.
The decorations earned by 2LT Randall Dale Shaffer 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.
Randy Shaffer graduated from Aurora High School in Preston County, West Virginia, with the class of 1963. By 1965 the draft was looming over his head so Randy decided to enlist into the army with high hopes of going to Officer's Candidate School. He left for basic training in January 1966, graduated from OCS and arrived in Vietnam on June 3, 1967. In the meantime a beautiful baby girl (now an attorney) was born to Randy and Judy on September 6, 1966. Randy spent time as a platoon leader in 1/35 and then was rotated to Headquarters Company as the Battalion Liason Officer. He was flying on a reconnaissance mission near Xuan Cue with the battalion commander and others on November 14, 1967 when their aircraft was shot down by enemy fire. All on board perished. Preston County will not forget the contributions and sacrifices of Randall Shaffer as he is featured in a book I wrote, titled, NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN; PRESTONIANS WHO DIED IN VIETNAM. Between that book, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and The Virtual Wall, Randall Dale Shaffer and the 16 other Prestonians who died in Vietnam shall be remembered.
Posted By:
Dorothy Bonafield Snyder
(His BSV Citation)
General Orders 163, Award of The Bronze Star for Heroism, 4th Division, 7 January 1968
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile for in the Republic of Vietnam. Second Lieutenant Shaffer distinguished himself while serving as the Liaison Officer for the 1/35th Infantry. At 0720 hours, 14 November 1967, Second Lieutenant Shaffer flew with the Battalion Commander to the operational are of two 1/35th Companies southeast of Que Son. Due to poor visibility they elected to fly at an extremely low altitude to better reconnoiter the area and direct the ground forces. Second Lieutenant Shaffer made radio contact with the Commander of Company A,1/35th and informed him of the NVA movement. While they were flying directly over the enemy forces to obtain further information, they began to receive enemy automatic weapons fire, Despite the inherent danger Second Lieutenant Shaffer continued to provide the ground forces with vital information. The helicopter was hit by hostile rounds, went out of control, and crashed. Second Lieutenant Shaffer was mortally wounded in the crash. His personal courage, and devotion to his men, and to his duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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