HANEY, Robert Bruce Jr. 1949 - 1970

HANEY, GRAY, COOK, CARTER, HARPER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 2/18/2024 at 20:20:14

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, May 7, 1970
Front Page, Columns 1 and 2

Sp. 4 HANEY Killed In Vietnam Action

Sp.4 Robert Bruce HANEY Jr., 21, Fairfield, was killed in action in South Vietnam on May 3, according to notification received Wednesday by his mother, Mrs. Walter GRAY.

He is the fourth Jefferson County serviceman to lose his life in the Vietnam War (sic - Vietnam Conflict).

HANEY was serving in Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 50th mechanized Infantry, 1st Special Forces Unit.

Mrs. GRAY, who resides at the Ranch Trailer Court, was first notified of her son's death by a U.S. Army representative Wednesday morning.

There were some discrepancies concerning HANEY's serial number and military address, however, and the annoucement of his death was delayed until it was confirmed by the Department of Defense late in the afternoon.

The notice stated that HANEY was killed when an aircraft landing zone came under attack by hostile forces. The location of his unit and other details are not known.

HANEY was serving his second tour of duty in South Vietnam. He arrived overseas in February, 1969, serving first as a tank mechanic with the 102nd Airborne Division. After receiving a 30-day leave at Christmas time, he extended his overseas time for six months. He would have been eligible to return to the States in July.

HANEY was born in Fairfield Feb. 27, 1949. He attended Fairfield High School and was later employed at the Fairfield engineering and Manufacturing Co. and Flamingo Lanes. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968.

HANEY is survived by his mother; two brothers, Ronald COOK, 302 N. Fifth St., and Bill Lee CARTER, at home; and his step-father, Walter GRAY

Surviving grandparents include Mr. and Mrs. Carroll HANEY, Libertyville; and Ralph HARPER, Fairfield. He was preceded in death by his father, Bruce HANEY (sic - Robert Bruce HANEY, 1925-1960).

Other Fairfield servicemen killed in the Vietnam war were Marine Pfc. Dennis Odell, Nov. 11, 1967; Army Cpl. James L. Miller, Jan 21, 1969; and Army Sp.4 Jerry A. Frakes, Aug. 16, 1969.

HANEY, Frakes and Miller were all boyhood friends. HANEY was also present when Frakes was killed in an accident involving a military vehicle near Qui Nhon, South Vietnam.

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"The Fairfield, Ia. Ledger"
Friday, May 8, 1970
Page 8, Column 3

Wire Confirms Death Of Local Soldier In Viet

Mrs. Walter GRAY, Fairfield, received a telegram Thursday afternoon confirming the death of her son, Sp. 4 Robert B. HANEY Jr,. in Vietnam.

The message, signed by Maj. Gen. Kenneth G. Wickham, read as follows:

"The Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his deep regret that your son, Specialist Four Robert HANEY Jr., was killed in action in Vietnam 3 May, 1970. He was an at aircraft landing zone when the area came under attack by a hostile force. Please accept my deepest sympathy. This confirms personal notification made by a representative of the Secretary of the Army."

Mrs. GRAY was first notified of her son's death Wednesday morning. There were some discrepancies concerning his serial number and APO address, but his identity was confirmed several hours later.

HANEY is the fourth Jefferson County serviceman to die in the Vietnam War (sic). He was a member of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 50th Mechanized Infantry, 1st Special Forces Unit.

HANEY, 21, first arrived in Vietnam in February, 1969. He was serving his second tour of duty there.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Monday, May 11, 1970
Front Page, Column1

Last Rites For HANEY Here On Tuesday

Services for Sp.4 Robert B. HANEY Jr., Fairfield serviceman killed in action in Vietnam, will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the Raymond Funeral Home.

Last rites will be conducted by the Rev. E. Wayne Ryan. The casket will be open before the service. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

HANEY, son of Mrs. Walter GRAY of Fairfield, was killed May 3 while serving his second tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of the 50th Army Mechanized Infantry.

The RAM Committee fo the Chamber of Commerce suggests that all local businesses close from 3 to 4 p.m. to honor HANEY's memory.

The body arrived Sunday after being flown from Oakland, Calif., to Cedar Rapids. It was accompanied by Sp.4 James Downing, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Downing, Fairfield.

Sp.4 Downing is stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. He was requested to serve as escort by HANEY's family.

Military rites at the cemetery will be in charge of Major Kenneth L. Ehrecke of Walcott, Iowa. Taking part will be at 15-member honor guard from Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Sp. HANEY is the fourth Jefferson County serviceman to lose his life in the Vietnam War (sic). In addition to his mother, he is survived by two brothers, Ronald COOK and Bill Lee CARTER; and his step-father, Walter GRAY.

Surviving grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Carroll HANEY, Libertyville; and Ralph HARPER, Fairfield.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, May 13, 1970
Front Page, Columns 1, 2, and 3

Sp.4 Robert HANEY Jr.--
Final Tribute For Soldier

Fairfield paused Tuesday afternoon to pay final tribute to Sp.4 Robert B. HANEY Jr., the fourth of its sons to lose his life in the Vietnam War (sic).

Last rites began with a prayer by the Rev. E. Wayne Ryan at the Raymond Funeral Home and ended with the solemn notes of taps (sic - Taps) sounded by an Army bugler in Evergreen Cemetery.

Nearly 400 persons attended the services, including about 50 who could not be seated inside the funeral home. A public address system was used so those outside could hear.

HANEY, 21, was killed May 3 while serving his second tour of duty in South Vietnam as a member of the Army's 50th Mechanized Infantry. His mother, Mrs. Walter GRAY, was notified of his death last Wednesday.

The Rev. Ryan referred to HANEY as "a young man doing his duty, fulfilling his obligation and obeying the authority of his government."

His death, the speaker said, raises many questions about war and other problems which beset all of us. "We are confused and we have no sure answers," he said.

Man doesn't want war, Ryan said, but as long as he follows his own designs and purposes, he cannot have peace with God or with others.

Only by turning to God can man find the answers and the peace which he seeks, the speaker stated.

Military rites at the cemetery were conducted by a Fifth Army honor guard from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., headed by 2nd Lt. Michael Walkner. Also participating were Major Kenneth Ehrecke, survivors assistance officer; and Sp. 4 James Downing, Fairfield, chosen by HANEY's family to escort the body from Oakland, Calif.

Taps were blown by Specialist William Ging following a rifle volley by an eight-man firing squad. A large American flag which draped the casket was folded by the military pall bearers and present to Mrs. GRAY by Lt. Walkner.

Present at the cemetery were the parent of three other Fairfield servicemen who died in the Vietnam war: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Odell, Mr. and Mrs. William Miller and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Frakes.

Also there to honor the deceased were members of several local service and patriotic organizations and 10 members of the Fairfield Police Force.

The firing squad was in charge of Staff Sgt. Larry Meskimen. Other members were Carl Miles, Lynn Mitkos, Paul Gigliotti, Gilbert Sisneros, Leon Smith, Larry Garner and Allen Scheibmeir.

The pall bearers were headed by Sgt. First Class James White. Serving with him were Elmer Maxwell, Richard Green, Frank Randolph, Thomas Svinarich and Myron Roberts. Felix Aviles was an honor guard alternate.

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"The Fairfield, Ia. Ledger"
Thursday, May 28, 1970
Page 3, Column 2

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to thank friends, neighbors, and relatives for the cards, flowers, memorials and many other expressions of sympathy and comfort in the loss of our loved one.

The Family of
Robert Bruce HANEY, Jr.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Tuesday, June 9, 1970
Front Page, Column 1

Letter Relates Details Of Local Soldier's Death

First details in the death of Sp.4 Robert B. HANEY Jr. have been received by his mother, Mrs. Walter GRAY, Ranch Trailer Court.

HANEY, 21, was killed in South Vietnam May 3. The information was contained in a letter written by his commanding officer, Capt. John R. Walsh of the 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry.

The text of the letter follows:

"I extend my most profound sympathy to you on the loss of your son, Robert, who gave his life for his country on May 3, 1970. Your son was killed while defending the perimiter of Landing Zone Betty, near the city of Phan Thiet, Republic of Vietnam. In the early morning hours of 3 May while under mortar and ground attack, your son received wounds while in defense of the compound. It may afford you some comfort to know that death came quickly and he was not subject to any prolonged suffering. A memorial service was held in honor of Robert.

"As a member of this command, Robert was a fine soldier and had established himself as a dedicated and sincere individual. He was well liked and respected by all who knew him. The death of your son is a loss not only to you, but to all of us in this company. While there is little I can say to lessen your sorrow, I only hope you will find some comfort in knowing that Robert was a great credit to the uniform he wore and the country he served.

"Once again, personally and for the officers and men of this command, please accept this letter as a symbol of our sympathy."

HANEY was the fourth Jefferson County serviceman to lose his life in the Vietnam War (sic).

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 4th.056.

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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