In
Memory of U.S. Army Sergeant
James Francis Haider was born on February 19, 1944, in
Watertown, South, Dakota, to Carl and Theresa Haider. He had
four sisters, Dianne, Marilyn, Elaine, Janel, and two
brothers, Jerome and Larry. James attended Holy Rosary in
Kranzburg and graduated from Waverly High School in 1963.
After graduation, James worked at Swift Meat Packing Plant,
then Terrace Park. He was married July 9, 1967, in Grenville,
South Dakota, to Leocadia Gronke. They had a daughter,
Lynnelle, whom James never got to see. He liked to farm,
hunt, watch football, and visit with family. “He loved life;
he always said, ‘Live it to its fullest,’” according to his
wife, Leocadia.
James Haider was drafted on Dec 3, 1967, in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota. He was placed in Company E, 4th Battalion,
21st Infantry, 11th America Division and went overseas on
November 12, 1968. In a letter dated June 8, 1969, a day
before his death, Sergeant Haider wrote home; some of his
letter follows:
We lost a few men lately but most of
them were just due to injuries and got
sent to state side. Say, don’t relay this back home or
they will have me dead in a week and I can’t quite
[illegible] that yet….
…We do have some pretty sights though
like one day I was in this old man’s [illegible] and he
was showing me the area were going in and there was a
rainbow on the ground. I never seen anything so pretty.
A person could get some good scenery shots but to carry
a camera that was good would be a waste for it wouldn’t
last a month in this weather….
On June 9, 1969, Sergeant James Francis Haider was killed
in action in Nuoc Dang in Quang Ngai Province in Vietnam
“while at a night defensive position when the area came
under attack by a hostile force,” according to the telegram
sent by the Department of the Army on June 17, 1969. In an
earlier telegram, dated June 14, Leocadia had received word
that James was missing in action. His body was returned to
the United States, and he was buried with military honors at
the Holy Rosary Church Cemetery in Kranzburg.
Sergeant Haider received the following medals: National
Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze
Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Expert Badge with the
Recoilless Rifle and automatic rifle bars, Sharpshooter
Badge with rifle bar, and the Marksman Badge with pistol
bar.
The Silver Star was given for his “gallant action in
directing retaliatory fire on the enemy without regard for
his personal safety, during which he was mortally wounded.”
The entire citation reads as follows:
For gallantry in action against an
armed hostile force in the Republic of
Vietnam. Sgt. Haider distinguished himself by intrepid
actions on June
9, 1969, while serving with the reconnaissance platoon
of Co. E, 4th
Battalion, 21st Infantry.
On that date, the platoon had moved
into a tight defensive perimeter after
Two days of sporadic fighting. During this time, Sgt.
Haider spotted the
Flash from an enemy mortar tube and immediately alerted
his comrades,
Giving the direction and range of the hostile position.
As mortar rounds
Began landing around the night position, the enemy
placed heavy automatic Weapons fire on the platoon.
With complete disregard for his
personal safety, Sgt. Haider maneuvered
Through the hostile fire to control and direct
retaliatory fire. He then
Moved to an elevated area within the laager [sic]
position where he could
Place more effective fire on the insurgents. Sgt. Haider
remained in his
Exposed location until he was mortally wounded by an
exploding mortar
Round.
His courageous actions were
instrumental in thwarting the enemy assault.
Sgt. Haider’s personal heroism, professional competence
and devotion to
Duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service and
Reflected great credit upon himself, the Americal
Division and the U.S. Army.
The Bronze Star was made “for a previous action by Sgt.
Haider in clearing a landing zone while under intense fire
and assisting in the treatment and evacuation of the
wounded.”
He is currently survived by his widow, Leocadia Mack, his
daughter, Lynnelle (Stewart) Schramm and their sons, Braeden
James and Carson Thomas, and his brothers and sisters. In
closing, Leocadia wrote, “He would have loved and spoiled
his daughter and grandchildren.”
This entry was submitted by J.C., 8th grade student, and
Mrs. Hansen, Spearfish School District, October 14, 2005.
Information for this entry was provided by Watertown
newspapers, a Vietnam Veterans Bonus Application, and mostly
by Lynnelle Schramm, daughter of James Haider. Profile
approval by Lynnelle Schramm.
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