EDWARD A BIRMINGHAM
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HONORED ON PANEL 27E, LINE 40 OF THE WALL

EDWARD ARNOLD BIRMINGHAM

WALL NAME

EDWARD A BIRMINGHAM

PANEL / LINE

27E/40

DATE OF BIRTH

12/11/1940

CASUALTY PROVINCE

QUANG NAM

DATE OF CASUALTY

10/02/1967

HOME OF RECORD

RUTLAND

COUNTY OF RECORD

Rutland County

STATE

VT

BRANCH OF SERVICE

ARMY

RANK

PSGT

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Contact Details

REMEMBRANCES

LEFT FOR EDWARD ARNOLD BIRMINGHAM
POSTED ON 10.4.2000
POSTED BY: pete cullen

SARGE

sarge, you were a professinal soldier.you seemed like a fair guy. you would have would be 60 years old on dec 11,2000 it doesnt seem possible ! you were a brave guy looking out for your men at the end. you are still remembered ! take care sarge! R.I.P.
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POSTED ON 4.23.2000
POSTED BY: Michael Robert Patterson

In Honored Remembrance

Platoon Sergeant Edward Arnold Birmingham, a native of Rutland, Vermont, was serving in Germany when he was reassigned to tile 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division operating in the I Corps area of Vietnam. Birmingham arrived in Vietnam 8 November 1966 and soon after led his platoon into action in the Chu Lai area. The twenty-seven year old, eight year Army veteran received the Bronze Star for valor in action against the enemy in May 1967.

Then on 2 October 1967 Sergeant Birmingham lead his platoon to the banks of swirling river deep in enemy territory. In the northern provinces of South Vietnam, the high mountains shield the coastal plains from the rains brought in by the wet monsoon which occurs May to October. October is the beginning of the dry monsoon -- a form of persistent drizzle accompanied by treacherous fog that the French call "Crachin." These fogs, which materialize suddenly, often slowed down overland movement. Coupled with the monsoon-swollen rivers, such conditions can turn muscles into cords of aching stiffness and tax both men and equipment to their limits. It was under such conditions that Birmingham and his men trudged through thick wet jungle and heavy fog only to be stopped by the dangerous currents of the isolated river.

The platoon slung ropes across the river to ford the barrier, but Viet Cong lay
concealed in the mist on the opposite bank. As the first few men entering the water clutched the ropes to brave the current, the enemy opened up with small arms and automatic weapons fire. One of the platoon members became entangled in the rope while the enemy leveled fire at the men on the life line. Platoon Sergeant Birmingham plodded into the river to save the endangered man. During his rescue efforts Sergeant Birmingham was swept away by the powerful current. It was not until days later that his body was found down stream. By that time his family had been notified that he was missing in action and presumed dead. Ten days later Platoon Sergeant Birmingham's body was returned for a military burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.com/birmingham.htm
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