The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, PFC Paul Clayton Bovan, who died in the service of his country on April 7th, 1970 in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Booby Trap. At the time of his death Paul was 20 years of age. He was from Farwell, Michigan. Paul is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 12W, Line 102.
The decorations earned by PFC Paul Clayton Bovan include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, 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.
Paul is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Munsing, MI.
(A letter to his Mother from his company commander)
Dear Mrs. Bovan,
I wish to extend to you my deepest and most profound sympathy on the loss of your son, Private First Class Paul C Bovan. I had the opportunity as Paul's Company Commander, to observe his outstanding performance of duty, which gained for him the praise and respect of everyone in his unit.
On April 7, 1970, Paul was serving as a member of the .50 Caliber Machine Gun Squad which provided fire support on Fire Base Challenge, located approximately 21 miles northeast of An Khe, Republic of Vietnam. At 8:20 A.M., he was obtaining hand flares from a box on the resupply pad when a booby-trap device of unknown origin exploded and claimed Paul's life. Your son died from severe missile wounds to the chest and left arm. It may be of some comfort for you to know that Paul was not subjected to any prolonged suffering. An investigation into the precise nature of the booby-trap device is currently under way.
Paul was a fine young man and a courageous infantryman. A memorial service was held at LZ Challenge on April 9, 1970 by Chaplain Jerome J. Taddy.
Paul's personal belongings have been collected and will be sent to you soon.
Please accept this letter as an expression of our sympathy and deep regret of the tragic loss of your son. If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to write.
Sincerely Yours,
Emilio Gutierrez
Captain Infantry Commanding
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(His BSM Citation)
The Bronze Star Medal
Presented to Private First Class Paul C Bovan who distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company E, 2/35th Infantry. He was able to overcome the numerous and unexpected complications inherent in a counterinsurgency environment to surpass the requirements of his mission and achieve outstanding results. Employing professional skill and sound judgment, he worked long and arduous hours to further enhance his country's efforts in Vietnam. His determination, drive and ability to accomplish outstanding results under the most trying circumstances has distinguished him as a truly professional soldier. His initiative, integrity, and exemplary devotion to 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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(Below is an obit about his Dad)
Cecil Albert Bovan
AUTRAIN -- CeciI Albert Bovan, age 84, of 3306C Michigan Central Blvd., Roscommon, MI, died on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 in the early morning at his home following a two year illness. On October 28. 1943, he entered into the U.S. Army. During WWII, he earned the Victory Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, two overseas bars, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European- African- Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two bronze battle stars for campaigns at Rhineland and Central Europe. He was discharged on January 10, 1946. He is survived by his wife of over thirty-two years, Dagmar of Roscommon Higgins Lake; sons - Gary Bovan of Farwell, MI, David Bovan of Billings, Montana, and Larry (Jane) Bovan of Farwell, MI; daughters - Linda (Patrick) Matson of Blaine, Minnesota, Evelyn O'Sullivan of San Leandro, CA, and Karen (Greg) Pruett of Edgerton, Missouri; stepsons - Robert (Carol) Salminen of Lake Elsinore, CA, Roger (Evaughn ) Salminen of Goodrich, MI, David (Gale) Salminen of Escanaba, and Scott (Joanne) Salminen of Claire, MI; 23 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Cecil was preceded in death by a son, Paul Bovan, who was killed in Vietnam in 1970 and eleven siblings, Marvel Doucette Campbell, Marie Radloff, Berniece Doucette, Loretta Martin, Hattie Freed, Evelyn Stem, Dorothy Kellogg, and Orphus "Tony", Harold, Albert Jr., and William Bovan.
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