Sgt Sidney Edward Plattenburger
Birth: Sep. 24, 1949 Monroe, Union Co., NC
Death: Apr. 1, 1970 Tay Ninh, Vietnam.
Sgt Sidney Edward Plattenburger native of Charlotte, NC was 20 years old and was not married. It was reported that Sidney died from artillery fire. His body was recovered.
A comrade explains that he and Sid were in the same platoon and spent a lot of time at our jobs. He was in the wire section and I was in the radio section. We used to be on guard duty together. Sidney would always talk about home and the Smokey Mountains. His Sister remembers when you were leaving the two of you sat on the bed and sang “Leaving on a jet plane”‘. I remember the fishing trips we took and that smelly bait you use to make. I have told my son and granddaughter the stories about us growing up together and the good times we had.
Two of Sid’s friends stood at attention at his coffin and as they stood there tears streamed from their eyes, it was heartbreaking. It was devastating for his brother Sonny to escort his body back from Viet Nam. It was even more devastating when he had to present the flag to his mom; he broke down as he handed the flag to her and just grabbed onto her and they both cried.
He served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star Medal, The Achievement Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, 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: Sharon Memorial Park 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)
