GOLD, Eric Stuart

SGT Eric Stuart Gold

Birth: Sep. 21, 1949 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Jan. 5, 1969 Bin Duong, Vietnam.

SGT Eric Stuart Gold, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, North Carolina was 19 years old and was not married. It was reported that Eric died from small arms fire or grenade. He was the Great Grandson of Sam and Inez Morris.

Eric served in a special unit of trained and motivated soldiers, most of who had at least 6 months in combat and had undergone an intensive selection. The unit was organized to provide long range reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and special type missions and usually operated in 4-6 man teams. It was reported by someone serving along side Eric that he held Eric’s hand and everyone present on the team that day was able to speak with Eric before he expired.

He served with Echo Company, 20th Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Activated in 1915, as the 173rd Infantry Brigade the unit saw service in World War I, but is best known for its actions during the Vietnam War. The brigade was the first major United States Army ground formation deployed in Vietnam, serving there May 1965-1971 and losing almost 1,800 soldiers. Noted for its roles in Operation Hump and Operation Junction City, the 173rd is best known for the Battle of Dak To, where it suffered heavy casualties in close combat with North Vietnamese forces. Brigade members received over 7,700 decorations, including more than 6,000 Purple Hearts.

Eric was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Three awards of the Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Cemetery #03 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744;finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)