Operation MacArthur took place in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam during October 12, 1967 to January 31, 1969. The U.S. 4th Infantry Division had responsible for the defense of the provincial and district capitals along National Route QL-14, a paved road that ran north to south through the middle of the Central Highlands. Opposing the 4th Infantry Division was the North Vietnamese Army’s (NVA) B3 Front, a headquarters that controlled all the main force units in the provinces of Kontum, Pleiku, and Darlac, and the western portions of Binh Dinh and Phu Bon Provinces. In a direct challenge to the NVA, the Americans constructed Fire Support Base 14 eighteen miles west of Kontum City in Kontum Province, RVN. The outpost was established by the 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment to protect the Polei Kleng Special Forces Camp seven miles to the east. The base had no above ground structures and its occupants lived in dugout shelters. The perimeter was bounded by concertina wire, a tenuous obstacle to the determined NVA which occupied the hills surrounding FSB 14. Displeased with this development, at 3:30 AM on March 26, 1968, two battalions of the NVA’s 320th Regiment attacked the base. The enemy assaulted with small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, 60mm mortars, and flame throwers. They were able to penetrate the northwestern portion of the perimeter, briefly occupying some bunkers. Two 1st Brigade companies returned fire while another counterattacked at the point of penetration, driving off the NVA and restoring the perimeter at 7:10 AM. Two other companies were airlifted into the contact area to set up blocking positions. Artillery and U.S. Air Force close air support hit NVA positions during the attack. Enemy losses were put at 135 dead against nineteen U.S. killed and fifty-one wounded. The lost U.S. personnel included SP4 Lonnie D. Alley, PFC Joel G. Anders, SP4 Gene T. Bailey, SP4 Benjamin J. Belarde (posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal), PFC Joseph M. Brown, PFC Robert E. Davis, SP5 Michael A. Fay, 1LT Steven H. Gerlach (posthumously awarded the Silver Star medal), PFC Dennis S. Gleason, 1LT James T. Gorsich, SP4 Charles L. Howe, PFC Willie Jackson, SP4 Leo J. Matylewicz, SP4 Cecil R. Millspaugh, PFC Maurice Moore, SP4 James M. Moser, PFC James A. Osterloth, SP4 Lawrence P. Pennel, and 2LT Harvey J. Tompkins. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “General 1969 MACV Monthly March Part 2” at ttu.edu]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. Your Silver Star citation attests to your courage and devotion to your fellow soldiers. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

His Silver Star was not recorded but was awarded for his heroic actions on FSB-14 on 3/26/1968. He died going for ammo when we where overrun. He died from a M 81 mortar that blew next to him. I was 5 ft away and also wounded. He bled out in minutes. The mortars were so heavy they sounded like one continuous explosion. But he ran out anyway for ammo.

"Gerlach, Steven H. First Lieutenant Corps of Engineers United States Army. Co A, 4th Engr Bn, 4th Infantry Division

Awarded: Silver Star
Date Action: 26 March 1968
Theater: Vietnam
Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Gerlach distinguished himself while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company A, 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. On March 1968, Lieutenant Gerlach's platoon was giving combat engineer support to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Infantry at its fire base near Kontum, when a large enemy force launched an assault against the base. Lieutenant Gerlach immediately deployed his men to support the infantrymen and ran through the enemy fire to the Tactical Operations Center. There he learned the howitzer section was running low on ammunition. Upon returning to his platoon, he led half of his men to the ammunition dump. He quickly organized and directed resupply to the howitzer section, insuring each weapon was adequately supplied. He then returned to his men on the perimeter and led them in repelling the enemy's attempt to overrun the perimeter. As the fight continued, Lieutenant Gerlach was mortally wounded when a mortar round impacted near him. First Lieutenant Gerlach's personal gallantry, expert leadership, 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."

During the attack on March 26, 1968 during Operation Mac Arthur/Binh Tay the US Counter attack drove off the PAVN attackers. After the engagement, 19 Americans and 135 PAVN would lose their lives.

Thank you for your service, courage and sacrifice Lt. Gerlach. I am sure there are many men still alive today because of your heroic actions on March 26, 1968. Who truly knows how many men you saved that day! You will never be forgotten!

“Dear Lord, lest I continue in my complacent ways, help me to remember that somewhere someone died for me today and if there be war, help me to remember to ask, Am I worth dying for?” – Wartime Prayer of Eleanor Roosevelt

Thinking of you on this Memorial Day weekend. Marilyn