In
Memory of U.S. Army Private First Class
Richard Nicholas Kloos was born on February 26, 1948, in
Canby, Minnesota, to Elizabeth and Leo Kloos. He had three
brothers; Larry, Donald, and Tim, and three sisters; Betty,
Linda, and Colleen. The family moved to Gary, South Dakota,
from Canby, Minnesota. He played football at Gary High
School and was in the junior and senior class play, and also
liked track. He was also a member of the St. Peter’s
Catholic Church.
Richard was drafted into the U.S. Army on February 6,
1968. He received basic training at Ft. Lewis, Washington.
He left for Vietnam in July 8, 1968, for his tour of duty as
part of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 199th Light
Infantry Brigade.
On September 11, 1968, PFC Richard Kloos died for wounds
that he received when a hostile mine detonated in Vietnam.
His body was recovered and returned to the United States.
His funeral services were held on September 23, 1968, at St.
Peters Catholic Church, in Gary, South Dakota, and he was
buried with military honors at the Gary cemetery.
He received posthumously the Army Commendation Medal,
Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Service Medal,
Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign ribbon, Combat
Infantryman Badge and Sharpshooter Badge with rifle and
automatic rifle bars. His citation for the Army Commendation
Medal reads as follows:
For the performance of exceptionally
meritorious service in support of the United States
objectives in the counter-insurgency effort in the
Republic of Vietnam during the period 22 July 1968 to 11
September 1968.
Through his outstanding professional competence and
devotion to duty he consistently obtained superior
results. Working long and arduous hours, he set an
example that inspired his associates to strive for
maximum achievement. The loyalty, initiative and will to
succeed that he demonstrated at all times materially
contributed to the successful accomplishment of the
mission of this command.
He was survived by his parents, Leo and Elizabeth Kloos,
three sisters, Betty, Linda Jesme, and Coleen Beck, and
three brothers, Tim, Larry, and Donald.
The family received many letters, including one, dated
September 20, 1968, from the Governor at the time, Nils A.
Boe. The following is a more personal letter, dated October
1, 1968, from the Battalion Chaplain of the 3rd Infantry to
the family of Richard Kloos:
This entry was respectfully submitted by Tonn Tetrault,
8th grade, Spearfish Middle School, October 4, 2005.
Information was provided by Elizabeth Kloos, Gary Interstate
9/24/68 issue, and Vietnam Veterans Bonus Application.
Profile approval by Elizabeth Kloos.
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