THE WALL OF FACES

I was a classmate of Chuck at Allegany High School. He was really a good guy and we had some good times together. I was watching a special on the History Channel and it detailed the fight that culminated in his death in Nam. I was in Nam at the same time but was with the Marine Corps at Phu Bai. RIP Chuck!!

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die....

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Charles E. Aronhalt, Jr. , United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Aronhalt distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 May 1967 while serving as platoon leader during a search and destroy mission in Pleiku Province. When another platoon of his company received devastating fire, Lieutenant Aronhalt requested that his platoon be sent to aid the stricken unit. As he led his men forward, however, the entire company began receiving intense fire from numerous concealed positions. Lieutenant Aronhalt tried to pull his men back, but they were unable to leave their cover. Since the platoon couldn't maneuver in any direction, he positioned his machine guns to strengthen the unit's defensive posture. He tried to form a perimeter, but was prevented by the hostile fire sweeping his positions. Seeing several wounded men, Lieutenant Aronhalt again tried to move his men forward. Unable to do this, he personally fought his way through the intense crossfire and began pulling the wounded to safety. He repeatedly entered the exposed area and fought his way out with wounded men over his shoulder. Seeing that casualties were mounting faster than he could carry them out, he stood up and charged the insurgents alone. His rifle jammed as he ran, but he picked up a machine gun and continued charging and firing steadily to give his men a chance to withdraw. Lieutenant Aronhalt was mortally wounded in the successful attempt at drawing the fire from his men. His valiant actions prevented the Viet Cong from taking the lives of any one of his men. First Lieutenant Aronhalt's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
See https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/4585

I was a classmate of Chuck's at Mt Royal Elementary School and Allegany High School, in Cumberland, Maryland. Chuck was a thoughtful and caring friend and an exemplary leader. I was saddened to hear of his tragic death in Vietnam.

Chuck will be missed dearly. I extend my deepest sympathy to Chuck's family.


David B. Pariser
Orlando, Florida

Charles E. Aronhalt
DATE OF BIRTH: 17-Sep-42
HOME OF RECORD:
Cumberland, Maryland

Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Rank: First Lieutenant
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Division: 4th Infantry Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 3832 (July 27, 1967)

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Charles E. Aronhalt, Jr. (ASN: 0-5226952), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Aronhalt distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 18 May 1967 while serving as platoon leader during a search and destroy mission in Pleiku Province. When another platoon of his company received devastating fire, Lieutenant Aronhalt requested that his platoon be sent to aid the stricken unit. As he led his men forward, however, the entire company began receiving intense fire from numerous concealed positions. Lieutenant Aronhalt tried to pull his men back, but they were unable to leave their cover. Since the platoon couldn't maneuver in any direction, he positioned his machine guns to strengthen the unit's defensive posture. He tried to form a perimeter, but was prevented by the hostile fire sweeping his positions. Seeing several wounded men, Lieutenant Aronhalt again tried to move his men forward. Unable to do this, he personally fought his way through the intense crossfire and began pulling the wounded to safety. He repeatedly entered the exposed area and fought his way out with wounded men over his shoulder. Seeing that casualties were mounting faster than he could carry them out, he stood up and charged the insurgents alone. His rifle jammed as he ran, but he picked up a machine gun and continued charging and firing steadily to give his men a chance to withdraw. Lieutenant Aronhalt was mortally wounded in the successful attempt at drawing the fire from his men. His valiant actions prevented the Viet Cong from taking the live of any one of his men. First Lieutenant Aronhalt's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.