THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow soldier Thomas Blue is especially moving. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us....

Private First Class Ralph W. Blackerby, Served with the 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

Picture posted by Tom Clark, Teacher and Students, Lake Central High School, St. John, Indiana.
Please watch our video about what we have been doing in the classroom for the past 32 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ohw6D-bcfPU
Picture from the Plain Dealer Library

Ralph W. Blackerby
Date of birth: May 1, 1947
Date of death: May 23, 1967
Home of record: Muncie Indiana
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

SYNOPSIS: Private First Class Ralph W. Blackerby (ASN: 16798920), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam.

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Company: Company B

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 35th Infantry Regiment

Division: 25th Infantry Division

Silver Star
See more recipients of this award

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Private First Class Ralph W. Blackerby (ASN: 16798920), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 May 1967 Private First Class Blackerby distinguished himself while serving as a Machine gunner in Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, conducting a search and destroy operation near Duc Pho. The company made contact with a North Vietnamese Army force estimated at battalion size and a battle began. Private First Class Blackerby's platoon provided covering fire as the other two platoons advanced on the enemy. The battle raged for an extended period and after two hours of almost continuous firing, the platoon began to run low on ammunition. Private First Class Blackerby rectified the situation, dodging the enemy fire to supply his comrades with the needed ammunition. When the enemy established an automatic weapons position dangerously close to the platoon, he ventured forth alone and eliminated the menace. At dusk, it became evident that the platoon would have to withdraw to more defensible positions for the night. The enemy was still pressing heavily on the platoon, but Private First Class Blackerby remained in position out in front of the friendly lines, and as the platoon withdrew, he swept the enemy positions with devastating machine gun fire. The enemy was distracted and the platoon moved out safely. In the course of his heroic efforts he was mortally wounded. His last act before he succumbed was to destroy his weapon with a grenade, denying it to the enemy. Private First Class Blackerby's tenacity and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy enabled his platoon to hold against the numerically superior enemy force. His exceptional courage and self-sacrificing devotion to his fellow man are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Action Date: May 23, 1967

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Company: Company B

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 35th Infantry Regiment

Division: 25th Infantry Division

Ralph W. Blackerby
Date of birth: May 1, 1947
Date of death: May 23, 1967
Home of record: Muncie Indiana
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS
Silver Star


Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Private First Class Ralph W. Blackerby (ASN: 16798920), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. On 23 May 1967 Private First Class Blackerby distinguished himself while serving as a Machine gunner in Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, conducting a search and destroy operation near Duc Pho. The company made contact with a North Vietnamese Army force estimated at battalion size and a battle began. Private First Class Blackerby's platoon provided covering fire as the other two platoons advanced on the enemy. The battle raged for an extended period and after two hours of almost continuous firing, the platoon began to run low on ammunition. Private First Class Blackerby rectified the situation, dodging the enemy fire to supply his comrades with the needed ammunition. When the enemy established an automatic weapons position dangerously close to the platoon, he ventured forth alone and eliminated the menace. At dusk, it became evident that the platoon would have to withdraw to more defensible positions for the night. The enemy was still pressing heavily on the platoon, but Private First Class Blackerby remained in position out in front of the friendly lines, and as the platoon withdrew, he swept the enemy positions with devastating machine gun fire. The enemy was distracted and the platoon moved out safely. In the course of his heroic efforts he was mortally wounded. His last act before he succumbed was to destroy his weapon with a grenade, denying it to the enemy. Private First Class Blackerby's tenacity and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy enabled his platoon to hold against the numerically superior enemy force. His exceptional courage and self-sacrificing devotion to his fellow man are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Action Date: May 23, 1967

Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

Company: Company B

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Regiment: 35th Infantry Regiment

Division: 25th Infantry Division