The 25-year-old sergeant had spent a year in Vietnam when he returned home in 1965 after the death of his wife. The rifleman and team leader returned to Vietnam later that year after volunteering for another tour, and was assigned to Company C of the 2nd battalion, 1st Infantry. 196th Infantry Brigade, Merit died on Nov. 4, 1966. He had attended Olney High School, where be played football before enlisting in the Army in. 1959. He was survived by a son, his parents and a sister.