Robert Abrams was a Marion resident before entering service. He comes from a veteran-proud family. He had two uncles who served in the military and he had three brothers and a sister who served in the military as well as cousins and nephews. His older brother, Alva, served as a gunner on a B-17 in the Pacific theater during World War Two; his brother, Ronald, served in the infantry during the Korean War; another brother, Martin, served as a quartermaster; and his sister, Rachel, served in the Finance Corps. Robert said he followed in his brother’s, Alva’s, footsteps and joined the Army.
Robert Abrams graduated from Harding High School with the Class of 1952. For a short time he worked for Western Union. In September of 1952 Robert joined the United States Army and attended basic training with the 3rd Armored Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He would continue his training and become a Combat Medic at the Heath Services Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Abrams would spend a career in the Army; serving in Korea War from 1952-1953, as an ambulance driver with the 24th Medical Battalion; he then would served time in Germany with the 30th Medical Battalion; he also would serve two tours in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division “First Team.” He also would serve time in the states at various posts.
While in Vietnam he was serving with HQ 8th Engineers and the 15th Medical Battalion. He spent time in Vietnam at LZ English, Phu Cat Airbase, as well as other locations. He would work as a medic running on ambulance, hospital duty and serving on medevac helicopters.
Abrams remembers a time when he was on patrol in Vietnam and they came under attack from across the river when they were in the delta area. He said lots of small arms fire was coming in at them and he was with a mortarman. The soldier asked, “Sarge do you know how to fire mortar rounds?” Abrams said, “No, but I bet I can figure it out.” Abrams said the mortarman would set up the tube, set the fuse on the mortar and hand them to Abrams. Abrams would then drop them in the tube to fire. He said after a while of doing this he heard someone calling him on the PRC radio. It was an Australian pilot asking, “Do you Yanks need some help down there?” Abrams answered, “Yes, all that you can give us.” The pilot then asked where Abrams wanted the fire. The mortarman set up a smoke round and Abrams put it on the enemy position. The Aussie pilot them commenced gun and rocket runs on the enemy positions. When the pilot was empty he radioed back saying, “Anytime you Yanks need some help, give me a call.”
Abrams said he later found out that it was estimated a thousand enemy were across the river firing on them. He said he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a V-device for that action. Abrams said he had no idea there were that many enemy and laughingly said he probably would not have stuck around if he did know.
Abrams also recalls a time in Vietnam when a Vietnamese interpreter called him out of the ward and said a Vietnamese girl was outside and wanted to speak with him. Abrams said he told the interpreter that he didn’t know any Vietnamese girls. When he went outside, he found the Vietnamese was a girl whom he had helped save her life. She had lost here hand and Abrams had worked on her. She came to thank him.
Abrams was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal as well as other awards in his military career. He would retire as a Sergeant Major.
Abrams says he wishes he was able to stay in touch with guys he served with over the years. He had lost touch with many of them. A few did write to him. He has one friend who sends him a Christmas card from St. Louis every year.
After returning to Marion, Ohio, Abrams worked at the Marion Correctional Institute for another 25 years before again retiring. He keeps busy now helping other veterans in need of assistance with veteran’s benefits. He enjoys talking about his family and military career. He still resides in Marion, Ohio, with his wife, Joyce. Abrams also has two sons, whom he and his wife raised on various Army installations. Both sons, Paul and Michael are veterans of the army Reserves.
Pfc. David W. Pierce was killed during hostile action on 13 December 1968. Pierce was serving as an artilleryman with C Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Field Artillery, 9th Infantry Division “Old Reliables.” As he was moving to his position, he was thought to be part of an enemy force. He was then killed by fratricide.
Honoring Marion Ohio Veterans 