Carlson, James Clark

James Carlson

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Regiment

Place of Birth:

Wisconsin

Date of Birth:

September 14, 1947

Place of Death:

Boi Loi Woods, Tay Ninh province, South Vietnam

Date of Death:

November 23, 1968

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

James Clark Carlson was born on September 14, 1947 in Wisconsin. His home of record was listed as Salinas, Monterey County, California, though he lived in Murfreesboro, Tennessee for college and attended Middle Tennessee State University.

Carlson was drafted and served as a Private First Class in the US Army specializing as a Medical Assistant in Company C, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, 25th Infantry Regiment. He began his tour in Vietnam on September 7, 1968.

On November 23, 1968 in the Boi Loi Woods, Tay Ninh province, South Vietnam, Clarkson was involved in an attack by the Viet Cong. While the company was conducting a sweep, the enemy started firing at them. Artillery fire and armed helicopters arrived to provide support, and the company started to attack after the supporting fire ended. However, the enemy continued to fire, and the attack took place throughout the day until the enemy left. 15 men were killed and 20 were wounded from Company C. Carlson was one of the men killed and was awarded a Purple Heart.

He is honored at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Washington, D.C. on panel 38W, line 40 and is buried at Stones River National Cemetery in plot Q-6801.