Thomas Martin Behrens

Thomas Martin Behrens
U.S. Army
Specialist 5 [E-5]
Biography:
Thomas Martin Behrens as born in Moline, IL in 1943, but was raised in What Cheer, IA. He was a 1961 graduate from Tri-County High School in Keswick and attended William Penn College in Oskaloosa. Behrens was drafted into the Army in June 1967. He completed basic training at Fort Campbell, KY and graduated from Non-Commissioned Officer School at Fort Benning, GA. Behrens began his tour in South Vietnam in June 1968, and earned the rank of Specialist 5. SP5 Behrens served as an Infantryman in the Americal Division, and was a part of the Delta Company’s “Jungle Warriors.” On October 31, 1968, SP5 Behrens was killed in action when a booby trap detonated during Operation Vernon Lake I in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam. He was the only American killed in action during Operation Vernon Lake I. Memorial services were held on November 14, 1968 at What Cheer Methodist Church. His body was buried at Highland Cemetery in What Cheer.
County:
Keokuk
City of EntryWhat Cheer
Conflict/Time PeriodVietnam War
Service Location
Organization(s)
Separation StatusKilled In Action (KIA)
Specialty/Rate
Specific Jobs