THE WALL OF FACES

Claude Charles DeNardis
Date of birth: November 3, 1948
Date of death: June 27, 1969
Home of record: Schenectady New York
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star
Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Private First Class Claude Charles DeNardis (ASN: 11540155), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class DeNardis distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 27 June 1969, while serving as a Rifleman with Company A, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, on an airmobile operation. When his unit came under intense hostile fire, Private First Class DeNardis volunteered, disregarding his personal safety, to move to the left side of the hostile emplacement attempting to get near enough to throw a grenade inside. Private DeNardis was successful in his attempt and saved the life of his Squad Leader who lay wounded near the emplacement, but immediately after throwing the grenade, he was hit by a hail of enemy rounds and fell mortally wounded. Private First Class DeNardis' extraordinary heroism in close combat with an armed hostile force was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 9861 (July 11, 1969)

Action Date: June 27, 1969

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Company: Company A

Battalion: 2d Battalion

Regiment: 47th Infantry Regiment

Division: 9th Infantry Division

Dear PFC Claude Charles Denardis, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

To Claude Denardis, our 2nd 47th Brother: We who served so proudly with you want to let you know that we have established a Memorial Scholarship to honor your memory and the ultimate sacrifice that you and the other 195 brave soldiers of the 2nd 47th Mechanized Infantry made while serving our country in Vietnam in 1966-1970. Our wish is that this Memorial Scholarship conveys the highest tribute possible to each of you because it comes from the hearts of the soldiers who served with you. It represents the everlasting and inexpressible gratitude we feel for your sacrifice. We got to live the lives that you were deprived of, and this scholarship is one small way of expressing our sorrow for your loss and our appreciation for the magnitude of what you gave. Many of you brave young soldiers sacrificed your own lives to save one of us, and we have carried heartfelt memories of you for nearly four decades. This perpetual Memorial Scholarship is our way of being sure that the memories of love, honor, and respect we feel for you, our Panther Brothers lost in combat, will live on forever. [If you are a 2nd 47th veteran, or a friend or family member of one of our fallen Brothers, and would like more information about how to support or apply for our Memorial Scholarship, information is available at www.247scholarship.org ]

Claude is buried at Evergreen Memorial Park in Colonie,NY. SS BSM PH

Claude, Although we never met, I just want you to know you are not forgotten. You gave the ultimate sacrifice, your life for what you believed in. Sleep well my friend, and thank you for protecting the freedoms we have today.