Veterans Memorial Buffalo

Veterans Memorial Buffalo
The Veterans Memorial is in Buffalo, Oklahoma in front of a former armory. The memorial has a central pedestal with a sculpture of eagle in flight on top and a brass plate with the following words: "ALL GAVE SOME....SOME GAVE ALL" followed my symbols for each branch of the service. Below the symbols of each branch of the service are the words "Dedicated to the memory of all who proudly served and protected their country". Flag poles for each branch of service is displayed around the edge of the veterans memorial. Behind the central pedestal are three black granite stone monuments inscribed with veterans names, service and era service. In front of the central pedestal is a kneeling soldier writing a message to his family. As a tribute to one of the veterans on the wall located on the middle monument top right panel the following information is provided for PFC James Earnest "J.E." Shuyler: BIRTH 15 Oct 1945, Perryton, Ochiltree County, Texas, USA DEATH 9 Jun 1966 (aged 20), Kon Tum, Vietnam BURIAL High Point Cemetery, Buffalo, Harper County, Oklahoma, USA. MEMORIAL ID 8896812 J.E. was born in Perryton TX October 15, 1945, the eldest son of Myron Paul Shuyler and Sharlette Taylor. His family moved to his grandfather Earnest A. Shuyler's farm in Buffalo, Harper Co, Oklahoma in 1949, where he completed Buffalo public schools and received a degree in Agriculture from OK Panhandle State Univ in Goodwell, Oklahoma. He was the brother of Janene, Joan and Paul. J.E. was the automatically chosen charismatic leader whenever a band of cousins gathered in the summers, teaching many to ride on his bay horse "Shorty" and showing them the mysteries of the farm. He entered the US Army in Oct 1965, received his paratrooper wings upon completion of jump school, and was awarded the Medic badge after he completed training as a combat medic. On May 3, 1966, he assumed duties as Senior Medic in Headquarters Company, 502nd Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division, called the "Screaming Eagles". In a mission called "Operation Hawthorne" that lasted from June 1 to June 21, 1966 a specific battle occurred, called the Battle of Toumorong. A howitzer position manned by "B" Battery, 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 320th Artillery; Company "A" 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry; and elements of "A" Company, 326th Engineer Battalion, was overrun by the North Vietnamese Arm (NVA) regulars. After a night of point blank combat, the US units held the position. JEs unit, the 2d Battalion, 502nd Inf. was helilifted into a blocking position where they would begin a sweep south to link up with their heavily engaged sister battalion. As they arrived, a NVA battalion began to attack, striking Charlie Company first where J.E. was the Medic, and threatening to overrun the position occupied by all the US units. To prevent the NVA from advancing thru Charlie Company's position to the previously engaged units, CPT William S. Carpenter, The "Lonesome End", called in an urgent airstrike, requiring that US Air Force planes to fire whatever they had on his own unit's position, thereby by shielding the other company from being overrun. Charlie Company suffered immediate casualties from the napalm that was dropped, with many more wounded. J.E. moved man to man while exposed to enemy fire, to the soldiers crying "Medic" He faithfully bandaged his comrades and gave morphine as needed. After being injured, he gave himself an injection of morphine, and continued his mission. After he was wounded a second time, J.E. lay in the battlefield and continued to give medical advice and instructions until he died on the battlefield that day, June 9, 1966. In all, 9 of Charlie Company died at that Battle, and the 502nd battalion suffered 12 losses total in one of the bloodiest battles of the War in Vietnam. More details on Operation Hawthorne at: http://101_lha.tripod.com/101st_lha/id78.html Posthumously, he was awarded the Silver Star (second only to the Medal of Honor) for his extraordinary heroism in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces, his actions in keeping with the highest traditions of military service. He was also awarded the Purple Heart and Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for his actions at Dak To, Kon Tum Province, during the Battle of Toumorong. He also received the Military Merit Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Medic and Paratroopers badges. He returned to Buffalo for final interment on June 19, 1966, at High Point Cemetery, where he rests beside his mother and father, and just east of his grandparent's feet. Lived 20 years, 7 months, 26 days, in service to many....

Organization Responsible for Installation:

Citizens of Buffalo, Oklahoma

Memorial War Era(s):

  • Vietnam
  • Persian Gulf
  • Panama
  • WWII
  • Lebanon/Grenada
  • Korea
  • WWI

Memorial Condition:

Good

Location:

803 N Hoy St Buffalo, Oklahoma 73834