Military Experience
Bobby was drafted into the army at Jackson, MS. He began Basic Combat training on February 24, 1964 at Fort Polk in Louisiana. On May 4, 1964, he went on to Advanced Individual Training also at Fort Polk. By June 1, 2964, he was assigned as a Rifleman and on August 16, 1965, he was assigned as a Light Weapons Infantryman on the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry and began his tour at South Vietnam.
Bobby was drafted into the army at Jackson, MS. He began Basic Combat training on February 24, 1964 at Fort Polk in Louisiana. On May 4, 1964, he went on to Advanced Individual Training also at Fort Polk. By June 1, 2964, he was assigned as a Rifleman and on August 16, 1965, he was assigned as a Light Weapons Infantryman on the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry and began his tour at South Vietnam.
Battle of Ia Drang
The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between the U.S. Army and North Vietnamese army. The 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary was under the command of lieutenant colonel Hal Moore. Hal Moore led the first engagement in the Battle of Ia Drang between November 14-16, 1965. Bobby dies November 15, 1965, during the second day of battle in a small arms fire or gunshot wound. His body, recovered, can be found in the Fox Cemetery resting beside in father in Oktibbeha, MS.
The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between the U.S. Army and North Vietnamese army. The 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary was under the command of lieutenant colonel Hal Moore. Hal Moore led the first engagement in the Battle of Ia Drang between November 14-16, 1965. Bobby dies November 15, 1965, during the second day of battle in a small arms fire or gunshot wound. His body, recovered, can be found in the Fox Cemetery resting beside in father in Oktibbeha, MS.
In Hal Moore’s We Were Soldiers that was adapted into a movie in 2002, Bobby is honored as one of the soldiers who lost their lives during this battle.
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“Herrick and the other two squads were holding precariously to the small knoll near the bottom of the finger. Savage teamed up with McHenry’s squad, which was pinned to the ground. Herrick was with that squad. Sergeant Zallen’s squad was to their left rear. Savage checked on his men when he tied up with McHenry. He knew that Specialist 4 Robert M. Hill, the M-79 grenadier, was no longer with them. “Hill got killed in there somewhere. He had his M-79 and a .45 pistol and he was firing both at the same time.” The twenty-three-year-old Hill came from Starkville, Mississippi.”- We Were Soldier, Hal Moore
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Bobby fought in a small arms fire on the second day of Ia Drang on November 15, 1965 at Pleiku Providence, South Vietnam.