THE WALL OF FACES

I did not forget, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I wish I could tell you for real.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

GERMAN, BROMLEY HOWARD
First Lieutenant (Artillery), U.S. Army
Battery A, 3d Battalion, 82d Artillery, 196th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate)), Americal Division
Date of Action: January 5 & 6, 1968
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Bromley Howard German, First Lieutenant (Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Battery A, 3d Battalion, 82d Artillery, 196th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate), Americal Division. First Lieutenant German distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 5 and 6 January 1968 as artillery forward observer with an infantry company on combat operations in Quang Tin Province. The company was savagely attacked in the early evening of 5 January by a North Vietnamese Army force and suffered numerous casualties. Lieutenant German quickly took command of a platoon that had become separated from the main body and had lost its leader, organized a tight defensive perimeter, and directed ravaging artillery strikes on the attackers. Despite a wound received in the initial attack, he continually exposed himself to enemy weapons and coordinated defensive fires which repelled repeated assaults by the determined North Vietnamese. He realized the necessity of rejoining the company's main body and he brought savage artillery fire to within thirty meters of his platoon's position to cover its movement to the company perimeter. The company commander had been seriously wounded and evacuated, so Lieutenant German assumed command. Shortly before midnight, he moved the unit to a more tenable position in a nearby trenchline and established a defensive perimeter. Despite bullets striking all around him, he moved among his troops to encourage them and direct their fire. He fearlessly exposed himself to the withering enemy fusillade time after time throughout the morning hours and continued to repulse the insurgents' wave assault with skillfully directed artillery strikes. He was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men in the face of numerically superior enemy force. His courageous leadership prevented the attackers from overrunning the company and inspired his men to fight on until reinforcements arrived. First Lieutenant German's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest tradition of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Another year has passed and you would have been 65. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Been a while since we painted your Grandma's house on Bunker Hill. Not to mention drinking beer at the Schmitz Farm over on Country Club Road. About 16 we were. We had some good times back then my dear friend. I still think of you often when speaking to George Hassinger and the other under age drinkers that night. Was Cepelak there? You surely remember better than I.

We lost touch after that and I was stationed in Germany when you sadly left us. I didn't know. I did get to Vietnam in 1970. An easier time mostly than when you were there.

I think of you often, Brom. And always will. Stu

Stuart Gordon Upson
LTC (Retired)
US Army