WILLIAM H. BARTHOLOMEW JR.

William H. Bartholomew Jr. died in the service of his country while serving in
K Company, (Ranger) 75th Infantry (Airborne), 4th Infantry Division

Last name: Bartholomew Jr.
First name: William H.
Home of Record (official): Catasauqua
State (official): PA
Date of Birth: April 4, 1948
Marital Status:

Branch: Army
Rank: E-6
Component: Infantry
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11F4P
Major Organization: 4th Infantry Division
Unit of assignment: Company K, (Ranger) 75th Infantry (Airborne)

Entered Service:
Start of Tour: November 26, 1969
Date of Casualty: January 23, 1970
Age at time of loss: 21
Casualty type: Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire, ground
Country: South, Vietnam
Province: Binh Dinh

Vietnam Memorial Wall: Panel 14W, Row 60

Ranger Memorial Stone: Section C, Column 13

Lord our prayer is not for William. We have hope he is in your presence and is enjoying the fruits of his labors. Our prayer is for the family of this "WARROIR", that had to face life without their loved one. Most of us have experienced a loss in one way or another, but William's life was taken by the violence of war, war that could be avoided if we would only follow your command to love our neighbor as ourselves. The loved ones of William have need of your comfort now and forever. Help them to see the great contribution he gave to America and Freedom loving people around the world. His sacrifice,, adds to the fuel necessary to hold evil at bay in a world of fleshly desires, be they right or wrong. God help us all strive to count the cost caused by the senseless ego, prompted by wrongful will and desire. Replace it with peace and harmony sought by the human race, and fought for by our Armed Forces. The brother we honor here as many others, has given his life for what he believed to be right. Help our nation that boast, "ONE NATION UNDER GOD" to example it like William, with "DEEDS NOT WORDS". May we always have men and women of this caliber among us. Without such, Freedom as we know it, will not be possible in a world, seemingly gone mad. We thank You, in Jesus Name.

William H. Bartholomew Jr. being a SSG E-6 with one year in the Army is not to be dismissed in a casual manner. He had to have been ambitious, enthusiastic, tenacious, and very knowledgeable in the art of soldiering, and surely at the top of his class. This would explain why he elected to volunteer for service in the Famed 75th Rangers. Volunteering was the only way you could get into a unit such as this, the reason being was the added risk he would face while performing some of the most dangerous missions in the history of the Army, and with only a 4 man team distinguishingly known as the "Long Range Patrol Rangers." Most missions were performed up close to the enemy and at ranges so far out, communications at times could be lost. When this happened a team on its own to survive until help could get to them. The team's main support was communications, artillery, gun ships, and at time the Air Force. Ground and mechanized infantry normally was too far away to help. The odds for survival in this type unit was slim to none. So hated by the North Vietnamese government they had bounties of $1000-$2500 on their heads. This was dead or live. Knowing this, William of his own accord took his place in the ranks of some of the most "Elite" soldiers in this war or wars past. All of America can be proud of men like this, especially the family members. While scouting their assigned area of operation the team made contact with the enemy. They were out gunned as they often are. Help was called for but before it arrived William went down. Seeing this Dean Allen Borneman trying to get to him, himself was killed. The team fought valiantly but before help arrived, two were lost. One may ask, why try and help the wounded in a situation like this. Unless you have heard the cry of a wounded brother, you will never understand. Gone but not forgotten, and may we never allow any, that breathe their life breath in Freedom, ever forget. We must pass this onto generations to come. I believe william now sits with God and one day we will be reunited. "Rangers lead The Way"!

Bob Smyers

CBlake writes:
You were just a boy when you left for Viet Nam. On the day you died I'm sure you had become in a man in every way. You were denied living many years and enjoying the things we take for granted. You will never be forgotten.
Everyone on the Wall should have a remembrance....
In gratitude for your ultimate sacrifice...I honor your memory today, on the anniversary of the country's great loss of William H. Bartholomew Jr. on the foreign soil of Viet Nam. I'm sure your family and friends are very proud of you, miss you dearly and still feel the pain of their loss. In peace always.

C. Blake