United States of America, Vietnam War Casualty Group of 6 awarded to Robert Daryl Severson, Specialist Four, 1st Cavalry, comprising: Purple Heart (officially engraved Robert D. Severson), Bronze Star (officially engraved Robert D. Severson), Vietnam Service, National Defence, South Vietnam, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, with 1960- clasp; together with metal marksman badges (3), cloth patches (3), including one for the 2nd Division, generally extremely fine (lot) 113442300 Specialist Four Robert Daryl Severson of Silver Springs New York was born on 20 December 1950, and served with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 196th Infantry Brigade. He commenced his tour of Vietnam 9January 1971, and was killed in action 5 August 1971. An official report of the incidents leading up to his death, reads as follows: ‘SP4 Robert B. Curran, SP4 Marshal E. Naffziger, and SSGT James C. Reamer were armor crewmen, and SP4 Robert D. “Sam” Severson and SP4 Rodrick Troup infantrymen, all serving with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division’ ‘On August 5, 1971, their unit was on its seventh day of a 30-day armored combat patrol consisting of nine M113 armored personnel carriers (APC’s) and three M551 Sheridan tanks. The lead APC was being operated by SP4 Severson with the other four soldiers traveling on top of the vehicle. While crossing a rice paddy, a command-detonated mine was exploded, flipping Severson’s APC on its top. He and the four men riding above were killed instantly. At that same moment, Viet Cong hidden in the creek bed and tree lines surrounding the paddy opened fire.’ ‘In the ensuing firefight, another B Trooper from one of the Sheridan crews, SSGT Johnny E. Jones, was fatally injured by small arms fire. Two others were wounded. Fifteen minutes later, the enemy broke contact and disappeared into the jungle. Dismounted patrols searched the area and found no trace of them or any evidence of enemy casualties.’ Severson was buried Maple Grove Cemetery at Gainesville, Wyoming Co., NY, USA and is commemorated on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington D.C., his name is inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 03w, Line 123.

Estimate: GBP 200 - 300