SFC., Thomas Albert Lutge was in Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101 Airborne. This unit was nicknamed "The Currahee's".
The son of Robert C. Lutge and Elaine Willert Lutge of San Francisco, California, USA. Brother of Robert and Richard Lutge.
Loving husband of Barbara Barnes Lutge and father of Thomas Albert Jr., Ron and Karen.
Anytime he was home on leave, he would not only visit his immediate family, but all of his cousins. He always treated each cousin as if he was their own brother. He treated them with that much love and respect.
"Buddy" as all of his relatives had called him, loved the Army. Until that fateful day when his company met hostile fire 2 km NE of Trang Bang, South Vietnam, Hua Nghia province , as Co. A and Co. B were reinforcing Co. C during the Counteroffensive Phase V. This was his second tour of duty in Viet Nam.
Enlisting in the service in 1954, he served for 14 years. His military decorations include
★ Silver Star For his actions on that fatal day★ Bronze Star★2 Purple Hearts ★ Combat Infantryman Badge★ Marksmanship Badge★ Parachutist Badge★ National Defense Service Medal★ Vietnam Campaign Medal★ Vietnam Service Medal★ Army Presidential Unit Citation★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross★ Army Good Conduct Medal
As a Drill Instructor, he stood at 5'3" weighing 120 pounds, yet he had the respect of everyone he met. One of his troops called him "The bravest man I had ever met".
More than the Army, he loved boxing. Oh, how he loved to box. As a youth growing up in the Bernal Heights and Mission Districts, Buddy would always get into scrapes and fights. His uncle Albert Lutge F.A.G. # 29762673 taught him the principles of boxing. A priest (whom I forgot the name) at Saint Peters Church in San Francisco, took him under his wing and taught Buddy even more, hoping to keep him out of trouble and away from the local law enforcement. This did not always work. At one court appearance, the judge finally told Buddy to either go to jail or enlist in the military. He chose the wiser and enlisted in the Army with an illustrious career. While in the Army, his boxing career spanned 9 years, where out of 192 bouts, he had 170 victories with 14 championships and runner-up 3 times in three weight classifications; flyweight, featherweight and bantamweight. In 1964, he was the U.S. Olympic trials runner-up in the Bantam weight division. Having won three bouts in two days, he was too tired to continue his fourth bout. The match was considered a TKO for his opponent.
The following are his accomplishments;
1955- 2nd Army Division Champion, Germany;
1957- US Army Europe (USAREUR) Champion;
1957- Open Boxing Champion, USAREUR;
1958- Fort Hood Champion;
1958- 4th Army Champion;
1959- 8th Infantry Division Champion;
1960- Open Boxing Champion, USAREUR;
1961- 6th Army Champion;
1962- 6th Army Champion;
1962- All Pacific Champion;
1963- 1st Cavalry Champion, Korea;
1963- 8th Army Runner-up;
1963- All Army Runner-up;
1963- All Pacific Champion;
1964- 4th Army Champion;
1964- U.S. Olympic trials runner-up.
Thomas Albert Lutge, being a champion on three continents, literally fought his way around the world. His team mates gave him the nick name of "The War Horse". To all of his relatives, he will always be "Buddy".
Please, also visit him on the Viet Nam War Memorial's Virtual Wall.
National Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA.
Memorial # 228672993
Find A Grave has four of his fallen infantry men listed. Please visit their site.
Sfc. Van Irwin (1937-1968) # 821926
Pfc. Steven Frink (1947-1968) # 130538113
Pfc. Charles McNutt (1949-1968) # 983067
Sfc. William Tellis (1931-1968) # 3203246
Pfc. Wayne Keller ( 1946 - 1968) # 7991440
Pfc. Thomas R Cook Jr. ( 1948 - 1968) # 10479121
SSGT William Sudler "Bill" Baker (1947 - 1968) # 46058394
Lt. Richard Tolette ( 1942-1968) # 116497574
***********************************************************
I would like to thank Brenda Joyce for sponsoring my cousin, Thomas Albert Lutge. Please visit her loved ones.
***********************************************************
The son of Robert C. Lutge and Elaine Willert Lutge of San Francisco, California, USA. Brother of Robert and Richard Lutge.
Loving husband of Barbara Barnes Lutge and father of Thomas Albert Jr., Ron and Karen.
Anytime he was home on leave, he would not only visit his immediate family, but all of his cousins. He always treated each cousin as if he was their own brother. He treated them with that much love and respect.
"Buddy" as all of his relatives had called him, loved the Army. Until that fateful day when his company met hostile fire 2 km NE of Trang Bang, South Vietnam, Hua Nghia province , as Co. A and Co. B were reinforcing Co. C during the Counteroffensive Phase V. This was his second tour of duty in Viet Nam.
Enlisting in the service in 1954, he served for 14 years. His military decorations include
★ Silver Star For his actions on that fatal day★ Bronze Star★2 Purple Hearts ★ Combat Infantryman Badge★ Marksmanship Badge★ Parachutist Badge★ National Defense Service Medal★ Vietnam Campaign Medal★ Vietnam Service Medal★ Army Presidential Unit Citation★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross★ Army Good Conduct Medal
As a Drill Instructor, he stood at 5'3" weighing 120 pounds, yet he had the respect of everyone he met. One of his troops called him "The bravest man I had ever met".
More than the Army, he loved boxing. Oh, how he loved to box. As a youth growing up in the Bernal Heights and Mission Districts, Buddy would always get into scrapes and fights. His uncle Albert Lutge F.A.G. # 29762673 taught him the principles of boxing. A priest (whom I forgot the name) at Saint Peters Church in San Francisco, took him under his wing and taught Buddy even more, hoping to keep him out of trouble and away from the local law enforcement. This did not always work. At one court appearance, the judge finally told Buddy to either go to jail or enlist in the military. He chose the wiser and enlisted in the Army with an illustrious career. While in the Army, his boxing career spanned 9 years, where out of 192 bouts, he had 170 victories with 14 championships and runner-up 3 times in three weight classifications; flyweight, featherweight and bantamweight. In 1964, he was the U.S. Olympic trials runner-up in the Bantam weight division. Having won three bouts in two days, he was too tired to continue his fourth bout. The match was considered a TKO for his opponent.
The following are his accomplishments;
1955- 2nd Army Division Champion, Germany;
1957- US Army Europe (USAREUR) Champion;
1957- Open Boxing Champion, USAREUR;
1958- Fort Hood Champion;
1958- 4th Army Champion;
1959- 8th Infantry Division Champion;
1960- Open Boxing Champion, USAREUR;
1961- 6th Army Champion;
1962- 6th Army Champion;
1962- All Pacific Champion;
1963- 1st Cavalry Champion, Korea;
1963- 8th Army Runner-up;
1963- All Army Runner-up;
1963- All Pacific Champion;
1964- 4th Army Champion;
1964- U.S. Olympic trials runner-up.
Thomas Albert Lutge, being a champion on three continents, literally fought his way around the world. His team mates gave him the nick name of "The War Horse". To all of his relatives, he will always be "Buddy".
Please, also visit him on the Viet Nam War Memorial's Virtual Wall.
National Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA.
Memorial # 228672993
Find A Grave has four of his fallen infantry men listed. Please visit their site.
Sfc. Van Irwin (1937-1968) # 821926
Pfc. Steven Frink (1947-1968) # 130538113
Pfc. Charles McNutt (1949-1968) # 983067
Sfc. William Tellis (1931-1968) # 3203246
Pfc. Wayne Keller ( 1946 - 1968) # 7991440
Pfc. Thomas R Cook Jr. ( 1948 - 1968) # 10479121
SSGT William Sudler "Bill" Baker (1947 - 1968) # 46058394
Lt. Richard Tolette ( 1942-1968) # 116497574
***********************************************************
I would like to thank Brenda Joyce for sponsoring my cousin, Thomas Albert Lutge. Please visit her loved ones.
***********************************************************
SFC., Thomas Albert Lutge was in Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101 Airborne. This unit was nicknamed "The Currahee's".
The son of Robert C. Lutge and Elaine Willert Lutge of San Francisco, California, USA. Brother of Robert and Richard Lutge.
Loving husband of Barbara Barnes Lutge and father of Thomas Albert Jr., Ron and Karen.
Anytime he was home on leave, he would not only visit his immediate family, but all of his cousins. He always treated each cousin as if he was their own brother. He treated them with that much love and respect.
"Buddy" as all of his relatives had called him, loved the Army. Until that fateful day when his company met hostile fire 2 km NE of Trang Bang, South Vietnam, Hua Nghia province , as Co. A and Co. B were reinforcing Co. C during the Counteroffensive Phase V. This was his second tour of duty in Viet Nam.
Enlisting in the service in 1954, he served for 14 years. His military decorations include
★ Silver Star For his actions on that fatal day★ Bronze Star★2 Purple Hearts ★ Combat Infantryman Badge★ Marksmanship Badge★ Parachutist Badge★ National Defense Service Medal★ Vietnam Campaign Medal★ Vietnam Service Medal★ Army Presidential Unit Citation★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross★ Army Good Conduct Medal
As a Drill Instructor, he stood at 5'3" weighing 120 pounds, yet he had the respect of everyone he met. One of his troops called him "The bravest man I had ever met".
More than the Army, he loved boxing. Oh, how he loved to box. As a youth growing up in the Bernal Heights and Mission Districts, Buddy would always get into scrapes and fights. His uncle Albert Lutge F.A.G. # 29762673 taught him the principles of boxing. A priest (whom I forgot the name) at Saint Peters Church in San Francisco, took him under his wing and taught Buddy even more, hoping to keep him out of trouble and away from the local law enforcement. This did not always work. At one court appearance, the judge finally told Buddy to either go to jail or enlist in the military. He chose the wiser and enlisted in the Army with an illustrious career. While in the Army, his boxing career spanned 9 years, where out of 192 bouts, he had 170 victories with 14 championships and runner-up 3 times in three weight classifications; flyweight, featherweight and bantamweight. In 1964, he was the U.S. Olympic trials runner-up in the Bantam weight division. Having won three bouts in two days, he was too tired to continue his fourth bout. The match was considered a TKO for his opponent.
The following are his accomplishments;
1955- 2nd Army Division Champion, Germany;
1957- US Army Europe (USAREUR) Champion;
1957- Open Boxing Champion, USAREUR;
1958- Fort Hood Champion;
1958- 4th Army Champion;
1959- 8th Infantry Division Champion;
1960- Open Boxing Champion, USAREUR;
1961- 6th Army Champion;
1962- 6th Army Champion;
1962- All Pacific Champion;
1963- 1st Cavalry Champion, Korea;
1963- 8th Army Runner-up;
1963- All Army Runner-up;
1963- All Pacific Champion;
1964- 4th Army Champion;
1964- U.S. Olympic trials runner-up.
Thomas Albert Lutge, being a champion on three continents, literally fought his way around the world. His team mates gave him the nick name of "The War Horse". To all of his relatives, he will always be "Buddy".
Please, also visit him on the Viet Nam War Memorial's Virtual Wall.
National Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA.
Memorial # 228672993
Find A Grave has four of his fallen infantry men listed. Please visit their site.
Sfc. Van Irwin (1937-1968) # 821926
Pfc. Steven Frink (1947-1968) # 130538113
Pfc. Charles McNutt (1949-1968) # 983067
Sfc. William Tellis (1931-1968) # 3203246
Pfc. Wayne Keller ( 1946 - 1968) # 7991440
Pfc. Thomas R Cook Jr. ( 1948 - 1968) # 10479121
SSGT William Sudler "Bill" Baker (1947 - 1968) # 46058394
Lt. Richard Tolette ( 1942-1968) # 116497574
***********************************************************
I would like to thank Brenda Joyce for sponsoring my cousin, Thomas Albert Lutge. Please visit her loved ones.
***********************************************************
The son of Robert C. Lutge and Elaine Willert Lutge of San Francisco, California, USA. Brother of Robert and Richard Lutge.
Loving husband of Barbara Barnes Lutge and father of Thomas Albert Jr., Ron and Karen.
Anytime he was home on leave, he would not only visit his immediate family, but all of his cousins. He always treated each cousin as if he was their own brother. He treated them with that much love and respect.
"Buddy" as all of his relatives had called him, loved the Army. Until that fateful day when his company met hostile fire 2 km NE of Trang Bang, South Vietnam, Hua Nghia province , as Co. A and Co. B were reinforcing Co. C during the Counteroffensive Phase V. This was his second tour of duty in Viet Nam.
Enlisting in the service in 1954, he served for 14 years. His military decorations include
★ Silver Star For his actions on that fatal day★ Bronze Star★2 Purple Hearts ★ Combat Infantryman Badge★ Marksmanship Badge★ Parachutist Badge★ National Defense Service Medal★ Vietnam Campaign Medal★ Vietnam Service Medal★ Army Presidential Unit Citation★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross★ Army Good Conduct Medal
As a Drill Instructor, he stood at 5'3" weighing 120 pounds, yet he had the respect of everyone he met. One of his troops called him "The bravest man I had ever met".
More than the Army, he loved boxing. Oh, how he loved to box. As a youth growing up in the Bernal Heights and Mission Districts, Buddy would always get into scrapes and fights. His uncle Albert Lutge F.A.G. # 29762673 taught him the principles of boxing. A priest (whom I forgot the name) at Saint Peters Church in San Francisco, took him under his wing and taught Buddy even more, hoping to keep him out of trouble and away from the local law enforcement. This did not always work. At one court appearance, the judge finally told Buddy to either go to jail or enlist in the military. He chose the wiser and enlisted in the Army with an illustrious career. While in the Army, his boxing career spanned 9 years, where out of 192 bouts, he had 170 victories with 14 championships and runner-up 3 times in three weight classifications; flyweight, featherweight and bantamweight. In 1964, he was the U.S. Olympic trials runner-up in the Bantam weight division. Having won three bouts in two days, he was too tired to continue his fourth bout. The match was considered a TKO for his opponent.
The following are his accomplishments;
1955- 2nd Army Division Champion, Germany;
1957- US Army Europe (USAREUR) Champion;
1957- Open Boxing Champion, USAREUR;
1958- Fort Hood Champion;
1958- 4th Army Champion;
1959- 8th Infantry Division Champion;
1960- Open Boxing Champion, USAREUR;
1961- 6th Army Champion;
1962- 6th Army Champion;
1962- All Pacific Champion;
1963- 1st Cavalry Champion, Korea;
1963- 8th Army Runner-up;
1963- All Army Runner-up;
1963- All Pacific Champion;
1964- 4th Army Champion;
1964- U.S. Olympic trials runner-up.
Thomas Albert Lutge, being a champion on three continents, literally fought his way around the world. His team mates gave him the nick name of "The War Horse". To all of his relatives, he will always be "Buddy".
Please, also visit him on the Viet Nam War Memorial's Virtual Wall.
National Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia, USA.
Memorial # 228672993
Find A Grave has four of his fallen infantry men listed. Please visit their site.
Sfc. Van Irwin (1937-1968) # 821926
Pfc. Steven Frink (1947-1968) # 130538113
Pfc. Charles McNutt (1949-1968) # 983067
Sfc. William Tellis (1931-1968) # 3203246
Pfc. Wayne Keller ( 1946 - 1968) # 7991440
Pfc. Thomas R Cook Jr. ( 1948 - 1968) # 10479121
SSGT William Sudler "Bill" Baker (1947 - 1968) # 46058394
Lt. Richard Tolette ( 1942-1968) # 116497574
***********************************************************
I would like to thank Brenda Joyce for sponsoring my cousin, Thomas Albert Lutge. Please visit her loved ones.
***********************************************************
