THE WALL OF FACES

Granby High School - Class of 1966
Photo provided by Lisa Ward - Granby High School

My husband, David W Hornbarger, shall always remember you. He served with you in Vietnam and was devastated by your death. Many years later, when we had the "Moving" Vietnam Wall in San Jacinto, CA, my husband and a father (David has a legacy and her name is Beth 05-29-1990) showed us Henry's name and we engraved a copy on paper with charcoal.

David W. Hornbarger, is my late husband (deceased 05-21-2007). I am here to remember Henry as Dave did.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Henry Charles Biggerstaff, United States Army, for gallantry in action. Specialist Fourth Class Biggerstaff distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions in connection with military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, on 10 May 1968, while assigned to Battery B, 4th Battalion, 60th Artillery, I Field Force. On that date, Specialist Biggerstaff was serving as a gunner on a machine gun mount, quad .50, M-55, with an assigned mission of providing perimeter defense support to the 3d Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. At approximately 0400 hours, a large North Vietnamese force advanced undetected to within a few yards of the perimeter and unleashed a furious attack with small arms fire and hand grenades. As the enemy forces advanced toward the perimeter bunkers, Specialist Biggerstaff and his fellow crew members rushed to man the machine gun mount. An enemy hand grenade wounded the two companions who were with Specialist Biggerstaff. With complete disregard for his own safety, he advanced alone through the heavy small arms fire and fragmentation from hand grenades and began to man the weapon without assistance. He released a barrage of fire at nearly point blank range which was so devastating that the enemy was forced to withdraw to the bunkers which they had already overrun. They then began to concentrate all of their efforts on the destruction of the machine gun position. When an enemy hand grenade exploded within the gun turret, Specialist Biggerstaff gave his life as a result of his valiant refusal to abandon his weapon. He had provided precious time in which the United States elements gained fire superiority over the enemy and thereby had saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. Specialist Biggerstaff's extraordinary heroism was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, I Field Force, Vietnam, General Orders No. 505 (June 10, 1968)
Action Date: 10-May-68 Service: Army
Rank: Specialist Fourth Class
Company: Battery B
Battalion: 4th Battalion
Regiment: 60th Artillery
Division: I Field Force

45 years ago today on Firebase 25 near Kontum, I fought along side SP4 Biggerstaff. I was in the infantry unit he was supporting. (C38 4th ID)He is a true American hero. God Bless his soul & his family.

Henry is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk, VA. SS PH