Edward Jacob Harder
Era: Vietnam
Military Branch: Army
Mr. Harder served in the Vietnam War.
He served in the U.S. Army from April 1965 until July 1967. He served the lion’s share of his duty in Vincenza, Italy, and volunteered to serve the last three months (April-July 1967) in Vietnam.
When he arrived in Vietnam, Mr. Harder was assigned to Cu Chi, a town in the Iron Triangle of Vietnam. The Iron Triangle was strategically important because of its proximity to Saigon and its American-backed government; but it also featured a system of tunnels hundreds of miles long that allowed the Viet Cong to “disappear” when Americans were in pursuit.
Mr. Harder’s rank was Sergeant (E-5). His job was mechanic. He served as a utility lineman, climbing poles to work on electric power transmission lines and telephone lines. He also operated a one-ton wrecker.
Mr. Harder received a Sharpshooter Award. He was exposed to Agent Orange while in Vietnam and subsequently developed cancer. He was and is a patriot and was honored to serve, and he has no regrets.
He was born in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of Edward and Rosemary Harder, on November 28, 1943. He attended Duluth Central High School.
Mr. Harder died on February 8, 2012, in Duluth, Minnesota.
Source: Interview with family member; Bell Brothers Funeral Home obituary
