Leonard E Borchard

Leonard Edward Borchard Jr. grew up in Clay County and graduated from Spencer High School in the class of 1967. During the summer after graduation he was drafted by the U.S. Army. Borchard was an infantryman with training in radio operations. He was sent to South Vietnam in December 1967 and assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry in the 1st Cavalry Division. His unit participated in Operation Jeb Stuart in the Quang Tri Province in March 1968. On the night of March 25, 1968 PFC Borchard’s unit was attacked by enemy rocket and mortar fire. Twelve members of the 1st Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division were killed during the bombardment, including Borchard. The young Iowan was 19 years old, and less than a year out of high school, when he was killed. His remains were returned to the United States and buried at the Milford Cemetery in Dickinson County.