Francis Leroy Gaulocher

Francis Leroy Gaulocher was raised in Iowa City where he graduated from Iowa City High School. After graduation, he spent a couple years at the University of Iowa. Gaulocher worked as an instructor to the carrier staff at the Iowa City Press-Citizen newspaper before joining the Army in April 1966. He earned the rank of Second Lieutenant while serving in Panama. 2LT Gaulocher returned from Panama in the winter of 1968 in order to witness the birth of his daughter. On February 3, 1968 2LT Gaulocher began his service as an Infantry Unit Commander in the 25th Infantry Division in South Vietnam. On March 24, 1968 2LT Gaulocher was killed in action during Operation Wilderness in Hau Nghia Province, South Vietnam. His funeral mass was held at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City on April 3, 1968. Flags were ordered half staff in the city, as he was the first Iowa Citian to die in the war. His body was buried at Morse Cemetery in Morse, IA. He was posthumously promoted to First Lieutenant.