Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Specialist Fourth Class Robert D. Law

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

1. Specialist Fourth Class Robert D. Law Marker

Poorly edited, with repetitious and nonsensical sentences.

Inscription. Robert D. Law was born on September 15, 1944 in Fort Worth, Texas. Law joined the Army at Dallas, Texas, in 1967 at the age of 23. He served in the Tinh Phuoc Thanh province of the Republic of Vietnam as part of the Company I, 75th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. During the Vietnam War the U.S. Army formed fifteen Ranger companies under the 75th Infantry (Ranger) Regiment. Most of these companies served in South Vietnam. In Vietnam, Rangers, like Law, conducted long range reconnaissance and patrol missions deep into enemy held territory. Rangers fought from the Regiment. Most of these companies served in South Vietnam. In Vietnam, Rangers, like Law, conducted long range reconnaissance and patrol missions deep into enemy held territory. Rangers fought from the Demilitarized Zone near the North Vietnam border to the Mekong Delta. These missions provided valued intelligence and conducted a host of special operations against North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces. These operations included raids, ambushes, disruption of enemy lines of communications and supply, and attempts to capture prisoners. The Army assigned individual

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Ranger companies to independent brigades, divisions, and other field forces where they provided a unique capability for commanders.

While conducting a long reconnaissance patrol, on 22 February 1969, in the Tinh Phuoc Thanh province, Law’s patrol met the enemy. Under intense attack, Law tried to outflank the enemy and provide suppressing fire against the attackers. Despite running low on ammunition and inspired by Law’s attempted to fight, other members of the patrol counterattacked the heavily armed enemy. Law and the other Rangers face stiff opposition and came under small arms and grenade assaults. A grenade landed near Law’s patrol. Without regard to his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to save five other Rangers’ lives. For his extraordinary courage and selfless service, Robert D. Law received the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously.

Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 22, 1969.

Location. 40° 12.283′ N, 77° 9.505′ W.

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Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. It can be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. 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

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lieutenant Colonel William Orlando Darby (a few steps from this marker); General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Colonel Robert W. Black (within shouting distance of this marker); Stations Upon The Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Smallpox (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Smallpox (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Smallpox (within shouting distance of this marker); A Century of Protection (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Other markers no longer nearby. Colonel Robert W. Black (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Stations Upon the Road (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Specialist Fourth Class Robert D. Law. The marker text does repeat a line, so the transcript is correct.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 22, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 23 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 3, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Take a wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?