GROUND CASUALTY: PFC Albert H. Altizer, PFC Joseph H. Benson, and PFC Jerome M. Taylor were infantrymen serving with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. On October 8, 1969, they were taking part in a river-crossing operation for a platoon-sized patrol along the Song Be River in Phuoc Binh Province, RVN. Two boats were made available for the operation. Altizer, Benson, and Taylor, members of Third Squad and wearing full-combat gear, boarded the first boat with twelve others. The boat, which was beached perpendicular to the shore, backed out into the current to point the bow downstream. After moving approximately 50 feet from shore, the boat operator began to accelerate when the vessel started to dangerously take on water. The lieutenant in charge of the operation shouted to the men to remove their packs. The craft capsized, and the passengers struggled to cling to the overturned boat.

The second boat cast off and went out to aid the first, ferrying people from the disabled vessel to the Song Be Bridge. When a head count was later taken by the lieutenant, Altizer, Benson, and Taylor were reported missing. Other units came to assist in the search of the shoreline which lasted until 3:00 PM and resulted in the recovery of Benson�??s and Taylor�??s remains. Searchers were unable to locate Altizer although some of his equipment was found downstream. He was listed as Killed, Body not Recovered. Altizer was promoted to Corporal during the time he was missing. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and pownetwork.org]

Benson, Joseph Henning, PFC