Specialist 4 Henry Horvath

Brick location number

I-15-2

Branch of service

Army

Dates of service

​November 14, 1967 to June 17, 1969

Location(s) of service and/or conflicts

Vietnam, Bong Son

Medals earned

​National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Rifle Expert, Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal, Parachute Badge, Two Overseas Bars

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Reflections on this veteran's military service

Submitted by Henry (Hank) Horvath

I graduated from Long Beach Poly High School in June 1962. I worked at several jobs before settling in at Douglas Aircraft Company as an interior installer and leadman. I was drafted in November 1967, and sent to basic training in Fort Ord, California. From there, I went to Fort Lewis, Washington for Advanced Infantry Training, and after that I was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for Jump School. After completing my training, I got to go home to California for a 30 day leave before shipping out to Vietnam.

In Vietnam, I was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. I did a one year tour of duty in Bong Son. I was very happy to return home to California at the end of my tour of duty. I returned to my job at Douglas and remained there until I retired on February 29, 2000. I bought my home with my wife Jeanne in Lakewood in 1983, where we raised our two daughters, Elizabeth and Deborah.

I moved to Lakewood in 1983, and I still live across the street from Lakewood High School.

(Posted 2016)