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CPL - E4 - Army - Selective Service
21 year old Married, Caucasian, Male 
Born on Apr 08, 1946 
From NEW YORK, NEW YORK 
His tour of duty began on Nov 25, 1967 
Casualty was on Feb 19, 1968 
in GIA DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM 
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY 
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS 
Body was recovered 
Religion 
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 40E - - Line 24

More information on February 19, 1968

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam APO San Francisco  96375 GENERAL ORDERS NUMBER          1820            19 April 1968  AWARD OF THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS LOBACK, THOMAS J  US52753134, PRIVATE FIRST CLASS E3 United States Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 2d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, APO 96225 Awarded: Distinguished Service Cross Date of Action:  19 February 1968 Theater: Republic of Viet Nam Reason:  For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations  involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam:  Private First Class Loback distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 February 1968 as medical aidman for an infantry platoon conduction a reconnaissance-in-force operation near Hoc Mon.  His platoon had just moved into a  hedgerow when it was subjected to intense small arms, automatic weapons and rocket fire from a North Vietnamese Army battalion in well fortified positions.  One squad was immediately pinned down by the savage barrage and sustained several casualties.  Hearing a call for medical aid, Private Loback unhesitantly crawled forward through a withering hail of bullets and flying shrapnel, treated five wounded troops and assisted them to a position of relative safety.  Continuing to brave the ravaging hostile fusillade, he raced across a bullet-swept rice field to the side of another wounded comrade and skillfully treated him.  The soldier had begun moving toward cover when he was hit again by enemy sniper fire.  Exposing himself to a curtain of raking machine gun fire, Private Loback fearlessly rushed back to the casualty and treated him a second time.  Refusing to abandon his lifesaving mission, he began to pull his seriously wounded patient to safety.  Private Loback was instantly killed by enemy automatic weapons fire while gallantly placing the welfare of a fellow soldier above his own in the heat of battle.  Private First Class Loback’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Authority: By direction of the President, under the provisions of the Act of  Congress, approved 25 July 1963.

 

Document provided by Bruce Swander

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