In Memory of U.S. Army Private First Class

David Lloyd Morehouse

Canistota, South Dakota, Mc Cook County

 October 4, 1947- February 20, 1968

Killed in Action in Vietnam

David Lloyd Morehouse was born October 4, 1947, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Lloyd Warren Morehouse and, Arleen Mae (Krumvieda) Morehouse. He had one brother, Robert, and three sisters, Barbara, Lori, and, Susan, who drowned in a horse trough when she was small. He later lost his mother, Arleen Mae, and his father, Lloyd, raised the kids mostly on his own and worked on the railroad too. David and his siblings grew up in Canistota, SD. He attended Canistota Public School. He enjoyed hunting and fishing.

David Lloyd Morehouse was drafted into the Army in 1966. He was trained at Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Lewis, Washington. He was sent over to South Vietnam in June of 1967. Private First Class Morehouse was in Company C, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.

On February 20, 1968, Private First Class Morehouse was a “rifleman in lead platoon” of a battalion near Thu Duc. As the platoon moved into an open field, Private First Class Morehouse was “subjected to intensive fire” where he was “mortally wounded.”

The family was notified that David was missing in action at Mekong, Delta, in the Province of Gia Binh, but it was soon changed to killed in action. His body was returned to the United States and buried with military honors at Canistota. The Chaplain at Headquarters wrote the following to David’s father:

I extend to you my deepest sympathy on the recent loss of your son,
Private First Class David L. Morehouse… His death not only vacated a place in his unit but leaves us with a vacant spot in our hearts. Our feelings reach across the miles that separate us and join our hearts in sorrow.

Private David Lloyd Morehouse received the Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal Vietnamese Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Machine Gunner’s Badge and Expert Rifleman’s Badge.

The following is his citation for the Silver Star:

His current survivors are his step-mother, Verna Morehouse, and his siblings, Robert Morehouse, Barbara Petersen, and Lori Hatfield. There are also 4 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren in the family.  His father, Lloyd Warren Morehouse, passed away on March 21, 2006.

Private First Class David Lloyd Morehouse had much courage and saved many comrades before he was killed in action. I will never forget what Private First Class David Lloyd Morehouse has done for the United States of America. He was a valiant rifleman and loyal soldier.

 

This entry was respectfully submitted by Katelyn Steen, 8th grade, Spearfish Middle School District. Information for this entry was provided by Lloyd Warren Morehouse, father, Verna Morehouse, step mother, Packwood, Washington, a Vietnam Veterans Bonus Application, and Sioux Falls Argus Leader, March 6, 1968 issue. Profile approval by Verna Morehouse.