Brookville in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Thomas Franklin Herkins

In Memory Of

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 13, 2016

1. Thomas Franklin Herkins Marker

Inscription.

Army - SGT - E5
June 26, 1947 - August 24, 1968
K.I.A. Binh Dinh, South Vietnam
A Co, 1st Bn, 50th Infantry, 173 Abn Bde
—————————
Army of the United States
26 June 1947 - 24 August 1968
Brookville, Ohio

Combat Infantry Badge
Bronze Star • Purple Heart • National Defense
Vietnam Service • Vietnam Campaign

Leaving Okinawa starting May 5, 1965 the 173rd Airborne Brigade became the first major US Army unit sent to Vietnam. Specialist Tom Herkins arrived as a 11B20 Infantryman replacement on May 6, 1968. Tom spent time around LZ Uplift, the 506 valley, and the Bong Son Plains. In late August, Alpha Company drew bridge guard 20 KM west of An Khe in Binh Dinh Province. Tom's platoon got the last 3 bridges, 24, 25, and 26. Tom and 10 comrades where on Bridge 26, HWY QL-19.

Award for Bronze Star with "V" Device

For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Specialist Herkins distinguished himself on 24 August, 1968, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this day, at 0245 hours, a reinforced enemy platoon moved under cover of the windy

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and moonless night to attack Specialist Herkins' position with heavy small arms and rocket fire. Specialist Herkins reacted instantly to the attack by placing effective fire on the enemy. Within ten minutes, Specialist Herkins noted that there were still two wounded soldiers lying in the path of the enemy attack. Unhesitatingly, he ran back into the enemy attack in an attempt to save his wounded comrades. While attempting to rescue his fellows, Specialist Herkins had to fight hand to hand with the enemy, however, before he could reach the wounded, he was mortally wounded. Specialist Herkins' personal bravery, concern for his fellow troopers and complete devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Killed-In-Action on Bridge 26:
1LT Daniel O. Abernathy: Burlington, NJ
Sgt Thomas F. Herkins: Brookville, Ohio
PFC Albert R. Gutierrez: San Antonio, TX
6 WIA

Brookville High School Class of 1965
You Are Not Forgotten

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Vietnam. A significant historical date for this entry is June 26, 1947.

Location.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 13, 2016

2. Thomas Franklin Herkins Marker

39° 50.731′ N, 84° 25.467′ W. Memorial is in Brookville, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is at the intersection of Arlington Road and Upper Lewisburg-Salem Road, on the left when traveling south on Arlington Road. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Brookville OH 45309, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Ohio’s Dayton Metro

and in the Miami Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "Battlefield Cross" (here, next to this marker); Joseph Justin Heltsley (here, next to this marker); Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Dedicated to Those Who Served in World War II (approx. 1.4 miles away); In Memory of our Soldier Dead

Thomas Franklin Herkins Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., November 13, 2016

3. Thomas Franklin Herkins Monument

(approx. 1.4 miles away); Welcome To The Wolf Creek Trail (approx. 2.9 miles away); Pete's Station (approx. 2.9 miles away); 1892 Bell (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brookville.

Also see . . . Thomas Franklin Herkins at the Vietnam Memorial. (Submitted on December 1, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Veterans Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.

4. Veterans Memorial

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 744 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 1, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 4. submitted on November 29, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.