PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Winter Haven, Florida
Date of birth: Thursday, 11/17/1938
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Reserve)
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: O5317216
MOS: 1204 Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander
Length Service: Between 4 and 5 years
Unit: L TROOP, 3RD SQUADRON, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Monday, 12/12/1966
Casualty Date: Friday, 07/21/1967
Age at Loss: 28
Location: Long Khanh, South Vietnam
ON THE WALL Panel 23E Line 096
While a cadet at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Mr. Abernethy was a member of Oscar Company of the Fourth Battalion. He held cadet rank of First Lieutenant on the 4th Battalion Staff. He was graduated in May 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was an Army contract cadet and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army in May 1962. He attended The Citadel from his home town of Winter Haven, Florida. He was a member of several school organizations including the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Sphinx (yearbook) staff, Orphanage Fund Committee, Automobile Club, Jr. Sunday Color Guard, Westminster Fellowship, and the Central-Florida Citadel Club. He also participated in Intramurals. He is missed and mourned by his classmates and other Citadel alumni.
(Source: The 1962 Citadel SPHINX (yearbook), q.v. "William Forman Abernathy (Note: his name is misspelled in the yearbook)," pages 188, 311, and The Citadel Alumni Association (CAA) online directory accessed August 15, 2021.
Contributor: Richard Hodges (47202450) • [email protected]
SILVER STAR - June 19, 1967 -- For gallantry in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Abernethy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1967, while serving as Commanding Officer of Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. On this date, as his command post was attacked by an estimated battalion of well armed Viet Cong, Captain Abernethy reacted instantly and directed a devastating volley of highly accurate .50 caliber machine gun fire upon the onrushing insurgents. Although enemy fire came within inches of Captain Abernethy, he doggedly remained at his post and continued to suppress all forward enemy movement. Realizing that the main concentration of the attack was inflicting heavy damage on friendly elements, he fearlessly directed his Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle to maneuver toward the outer fringe of the perimeter system. As he alertly observed a disabled track, Captain Abernethy immediately maneuvered toward the vehicle and began evacuating the wounded. Before all the men could be evacuated however, Captain Abernethy's vehicle sustained a direct hit from an enemy rocket round completely disabling it. Despite the heavy volume of fire being directed upon him by the enemy, Captain Abernethy continued evacuation of the wounded from the area, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire. His bravery, judgement, and staunch persistence against seemingly insurmountable odds while exposed to enemy fire served as a definite incentive to those of his command and subsequently assured defeat of the Viet Cong force. Captain Abernethy's heroic actions in close combat with an armed hostile force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
View Memorial
www.11thcavnam.com
FATHER: JAMES ALONZO ABERNATHY
MOTHER: JEANNETTE (FORMAN) ABERNETHY
SPOUSE: EMMA V. ABERNATHY
Home of Record: Winter Haven, Florida
Date of birth: Thursday, 11/17/1938
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Reserve)
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: O5317216
MOS: 1204 Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander
Length Service: Between 4 and 5 years
Unit: L TROOP, 3RD SQUADRON, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Monday, 12/12/1966
Casualty Date: Friday, 07/21/1967
Age at Loss: 28
Location: Long Khanh, South Vietnam
ON THE WALL Panel 23E Line 096
While a cadet at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Mr. Abernethy was a member of Oscar Company of the Fourth Battalion. He held cadet rank of First Lieutenant on the 4th Battalion Staff. He was graduated in May 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was an Army contract cadet and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army in May 1962. He attended The Citadel from his home town of Winter Haven, Florida. He was a member of several school organizations including the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Sphinx (yearbook) staff, Orphanage Fund Committee, Automobile Club, Jr. Sunday Color Guard, Westminster Fellowship, and the Central-Florida Citadel Club. He also participated in Intramurals. He is missed and mourned by his classmates and other Citadel alumni.
(Source: The 1962 Citadel SPHINX (yearbook), q.v. "William Forman Abernathy (Note: his name is misspelled in the yearbook)," pages 188, 311, and The Citadel Alumni Association (CAA) online directory accessed August 15, 2021.
Contributor: Richard Hodges (47202450) • [email protected]
SILVER STAR - June 19, 1967 -- For gallantry in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Abernethy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1967, while serving as Commanding Officer of Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. On this date, as his command post was attacked by an estimated battalion of well armed Viet Cong, Captain Abernethy reacted instantly and directed a devastating volley of highly accurate .50 caliber machine gun fire upon the onrushing insurgents. Although enemy fire came within inches of Captain Abernethy, he doggedly remained at his post and continued to suppress all forward enemy movement. Realizing that the main concentration of the attack was inflicting heavy damage on friendly elements, he fearlessly directed his Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle to maneuver toward the outer fringe of the perimeter system. As he alertly observed a disabled track, Captain Abernethy immediately maneuvered toward the vehicle and began evacuating the wounded. Before all the men could be evacuated however, Captain Abernethy's vehicle sustained a direct hit from an enemy rocket round completely disabling it. Despite the heavy volume of fire being directed upon him by the enemy, Captain Abernethy continued evacuation of the wounded from the area, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire. His bravery, judgement, and staunch persistence against seemingly insurmountable odds while exposed to enemy fire served as a definite incentive to those of his command and subsequently assured defeat of the Viet Cong force. Captain Abernethy's heroic actions in close combat with an armed hostile force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
View Memorial
www.11thcavnam.com
FATHER: JAMES ALONZO ABERNATHY
MOTHER: JEANNETTE (FORMAN) ABERNETHY
SPOUSE: EMMA V. ABERNATHY
PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Winter Haven, Florida
Date of birth: Thursday, 11/17/1938
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Reserve)
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: O5317216
MOS: 1204 Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander
Length Service: Between 4 and 5 years
Unit: L TROOP, 3RD SQUADRON, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Monday, 12/12/1966
Casualty Date: Friday, 07/21/1967
Age at Loss: 28
Location: Long Khanh, South Vietnam
ON THE WALL Panel 23E Line 096
While a cadet at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Mr. Abernethy was a member of Oscar Company of the Fourth Battalion. He held cadet rank of First Lieutenant on the 4th Battalion Staff. He was graduated in May 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was an Army contract cadet and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army in May 1962. He attended The Citadel from his home town of Winter Haven, Florida. He was a member of several school organizations including the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Sphinx (yearbook) staff, Orphanage Fund Committee, Automobile Club, Jr. Sunday Color Guard, Westminster Fellowship, and the Central-Florida Citadel Club. He also participated in Intramurals. He is missed and mourned by his classmates and other Citadel alumni.
(Source: The 1962 Citadel SPHINX (yearbook), q.v. "William Forman Abernathy (Note: his name is misspelled in the yearbook)," pages 188, 311, and The Citadel Alumni Association (CAA) online directory accessed August 15, 2021.
Contributor: Richard Hodges (47202450) • [email protected]
SILVER STAR - June 19, 1967 -- For gallantry in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Abernethy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1967, while serving as Commanding Officer of Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. On this date, as his command post was attacked by an estimated battalion of well armed Viet Cong, Captain Abernethy reacted instantly and directed a devastating volley of highly accurate .50 caliber machine gun fire upon the onrushing insurgents. Although enemy fire came within inches of Captain Abernethy, he doggedly remained at his post and continued to suppress all forward enemy movement. Realizing that the main concentration of the attack was inflicting heavy damage on friendly elements, he fearlessly directed his Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle to maneuver toward the outer fringe of the perimeter system. As he alertly observed a disabled track, Captain Abernethy immediately maneuvered toward the vehicle and began evacuating the wounded. Before all the men could be evacuated however, Captain Abernethy's vehicle sustained a direct hit from an enemy rocket round completely disabling it. Despite the heavy volume of fire being directed upon him by the enemy, Captain Abernethy continued evacuation of the wounded from the area, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire. His bravery, judgement, and staunch persistence against seemingly insurmountable odds while exposed to enemy fire served as a definite incentive to those of his command and subsequently assured defeat of the Viet Cong force. Captain Abernethy's heroic actions in close combat with an armed hostile force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
View Memorial
www.11thcavnam.com
FATHER: JAMES ALONZO ABERNATHY
MOTHER: JEANNETTE (FORMAN) ABERNETHY
SPOUSE: EMMA V. ABERNATHY
Home of Record: Winter Haven, Florida
Date of birth: Thursday, 11/17/1938
MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Reserve)
Grade at loss: O3
Rank: Captain
ID No: O5317216
MOS: 1204 Armored Reconnaissance Unit Commander
Length Service: Between 4 and 5 years
Unit: L TROOP, 3RD SQUADRON, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY, USARV
CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Monday, 12/12/1966
Casualty Date: Friday, 07/21/1967
Age at Loss: 28
Location: Long Khanh, South Vietnam
ON THE WALL Panel 23E Line 096
While a cadet at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Mr. Abernethy was a member of Oscar Company of the Fourth Battalion. He held cadet rank of First Lieutenant on the 4th Battalion Staff. He was graduated in May 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was an Army contract cadet and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U. S. Army in May 1962. He attended The Citadel from his home town of Winter Haven, Florida. He was a member of several school organizations including the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Sphinx (yearbook) staff, Orphanage Fund Committee, Automobile Club, Jr. Sunday Color Guard, Westminster Fellowship, and the Central-Florida Citadel Club. He also participated in Intramurals. He is missed and mourned by his classmates and other Citadel alumni.
(Source: The 1962 Citadel SPHINX (yearbook), q.v. "William Forman Abernathy (Note: his name is misspelled in the yearbook)," pages 188, 311, and The Citadel Alumni Association (CAA) online directory accessed August 15, 2021.
Contributor: Richard Hodges (47202450) • [email protected]
SILVER STAR - June 19, 1967 -- For gallantry in action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Abernethy distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 19 June 1967, while serving as Commanding Officer of Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. On this date, as his command post was attacked by an estimated battalion of well armed Viet Cong, Captain Abernethy reacted instantly and directed a devastating volley of highly accurate .50 caliber machine gun fire upon the onrushing insurgents. Although enemy fire came within inches of Captain Abernethy, he doggedly remained at his post and continued to suppress all forward enemy movement. Realizing that the main concentration of the attack was inflicting heavy damage on friendly elements, he fearlessly directed his Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle to maneuver toward the outer fringe of the perimeter system. As he alertly observed a disabled track, Captain Abernethy immediately maneuvered toward the vehicle and began evacuating the wounded. Before all the men could be evacuated however, Captain Abernethy's vehicle sustained a direct hit from an enemy rocket round completely disabling it. Despite the heavy volume of fire being directed upon him by the enemy, Captain Abernethy continued evacuation of the wounded from the area, repeatedly exposing himself to enemy fire. His bravery, judgement, and staunch persistence against seemingly insurmountable odds while exposed to enemy fire served as a definite incentive to those of his command and subsequently assured defeat of the Viet Cong force. Captain Abernethy's heroic actions in close combat with an armed hostile force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
View Memorial
www.11thcavnam.com
FATHER: JAMES ALONZO ABERNATHY
MOTHER: JEANNETTE (FORMAN) ABERNETHY
SPOUSE: EMMA V. ABERNATHY
Inscription
FLORIDA
CAPTAIN US ARMY
VIETNAM PH
