Norman William Soltow

Fallen Hero’s Hometown and State: Chicago, IL

Branch of Service: 1st Battalion, 5th US Cavalry

Rank: Staff Sergeant

Ia Drang Valley, South Vietnam Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th US Cavalry, Airmobile.

You may know Norman Soltow as your friend, but to me he was daddy. The time we had together was brief, only four years. The memories few, like pieces of a dream.

Sitting in the comfort of his lap watching Walter Cronkite, drinking root beer with him from a frosted mug at a fast food drive in, and getting choked after accepting a puff off his pipe. There is not a day that passes that I do not miss him.

Age: 28

Date of Death: November 17, 1965