Gary James Earlywine

Gary James Earlywine was raised in Mondamin in the far western county of Harrison. Before being drafted by the Army, Earlywine farmed land outside of his small rural hometown. Once in the Army, he trained as an infantryman and achieved the rank of Specialist 4. SP4 Earlywine deployed to South Vietnam in August 1969 and was assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry in the 101st Airborne Division. He died on February 18, 1970 from wounds inflicted by the enemy while on an operation in the Thua Thien Province. His body was recovered and returned to Iowa. Earlywine was buried in the Magnolia Cemetery in Harrison County. He was 26 years old at the time of his death and he left behind a son. The Army posthumously promoted Earlywine to a Sergeant.