Gary Steven Kadetz

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by SP5 Claude Quick Jr on November 18, 2013:

I met Lt. Kadetz on 17 May 1966 when he joined A Company on the battlefield when our regular FO was hit by sniper fire. The 27th Infantry Regiment was part of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. His radio operator was Cpl. Boyd. They were assigned to the 8th Arty and attached to our company. He was a great FO, when we needed protection from intense VC fire he was so good at walking indirect fire that he could bring it in close, walk it left and right and the VC were gone. I was the Senior Company Medic and I would give the wounded a smoke. When I was wounded on the morning of 19 May he was the one to offer a smoke I took the whole pack to give some to others. When I bumped a red ant hill he brushed the biting ants away. At 1400 Hours we were notified to place fire on VC positions to our front. Cpt Cedric Blackwell called Lt Kadetz forward by raisihg his left arm and two fingers. This was our hand sign for FO forward. The LT grabbed the mic and moved to the left. I moved to the right. A whistle in the VC position just yards away blew and two VC regiments opened fire. The Cpt was hit through the left arm the same bullet hit Lt Kadetz. Our entire company headquarters was wounded. I moved to the Cpt and bandaged his arm, then moved to Lieutenant Kadetz, he was gone. I turned to others and made many trips to treat and evacuate the wounded. I then returned to carry Lt Kadetz off the battlefield. First I had to secure his classified documents, then he was covered and returned to the rear secure area. I will never forget him going down. The operation was Wahiawa and we were in the Boi Loi woods in the Iron Triangle area. We had captured a VC Hospital and were securing it.

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