The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SP4 Dennis Richard Podgorny, who died in the service of his country on November 9th, 1967 in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Small Arms/AW. At the time of his death Dennis was 19 years of age. He was from Livermore, California. Dennis is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 29E, Line 61.
The decorations earned by SP4 Dennis Richard Podgorny 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.
Dennis attended Livermore High School and participated in football,swimming,golf,basketball, and Student Assembly. He was King of his Junior Prom.
This information graciously provided by Brian McFann who maintains the Livermore High School Memorial at the link below.
"Dennis was a very special guy in Livermore - King of the Junior Prom, member of the tennis and swim teams - an all around great guy that was admired by everyone. His death was a very dark time for our community and he will always be missed. "
From Childhood Friend Karin Reitz
Soldier Given Bronze Star Posthumously For heroism against the enemy in Vietnam, a 19 year old Bellevue soldier was posthumously awarded the Bronze star medal with" V" device for Valor and the Purple Heart medals in a ceremony held at Ft. Lawton on Monday. He was Army Corporal Dennis R Podgorny, whose parents Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Podgorny, 5908 123rd SE accepted the awards from Col. John W. Barber, deputy post commander. On 9 Nov 1967, Corporal Podgorny distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, 34d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division on a search and destroy mission near Xuan Que. When his platoon made contact with the enemy an intense fire fight began. As the battle progressed he noticed an enemy automatic weapon position which was seriously restricting his platoons ability to maneuver, in an attempt to silence the deadly weapon he was fired upon and mortally wounded. Along with the awards was a citation which read" Corporal Podgorny's aggressiveness and personal bravery in the face of hostile fire are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army." Entering the Army at Oakland CA 20 Apr 1967,Corporal Podgorny, had been in Vietnam since 21 Sep 1967. (Bellevue American, Thursday, 15 Feb 1968)
http://students.washington.edu/mcfann/forums/lhs/memorial/1966/podgorny.htm |
