James Mosgrove

     Jim was part of the Cadre that trained the original men who arrived at Fort Lewis during Basic Training. After Basic he was transferred to HQ Company, as a number of the Company trainees were. Prior to our departure for Vietnam, Jim was given the choice to stay behind as his 4 year tour of duty in the Army was due to end in late May, 1967. He opted to attach to his unit and perform what he considered his duty in the Vietnam Conflict. He performed admirably as noted by his fellow soldiers who served with him. On May 19th, a week before he was to return home to the US, he was killed in an ambush just outside the gates of Camp Rainier in Dau Tieng.

An  aunt's tribute to her nephew

On the week that Jim deployed to Vietnam, Jim's Aunt Ruth (his mom's sister) was moved to write an original song dedicated to her nephew and the men who went into combat with him. Below are the lyrics of the tune:

Fourth Division U.S. Infantry 

Another soldier gone to war he proudly said good-bye

With a smile so gay he marched away his head and shoulders high

He said I hate to leave my Mom I'm her only child you see

But I must go with my buddies for they may be needing me

Chorus

I belong to the Fourth Division of the U.S. Infantry

I will stay here with my buddies, for they've all been friends to me

I know that Mom gets lonely but I know she's proud of me

I belong to the Fourth Division of the U.S. Infantry

We'll stay here, the Fourth Division, there's a job that must be done

Side by side we'll fight together till the battle here is won

And when this war is over and the people here are free

We'll march home the fourth division of the U.S. infantry

I belong to the Fourth Division of the U.S. Infantry

I will stay here will my buddies for they've all been friends to me

I know that mom gets lonely but I know she's proud of me

I belong to the fourth division of the US Infantry

Special thanks to Janie Dixon , Jim's cousin, , who provided the lyrics to this very moving song. Incidentally, Jim Mosgrove's Mom is still alive as of today, February 2nd, 2004, and resides in Florida.

JAMES MAURICE MOSGROVE JR



SSGT - E6 - Army - Regular
4th Infantry Division
25 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on July 11, 1943
From BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
Length of service 6 years.
His tour of duty began on Sep 22, 1966
Casualty was on May 19, 1967
in BINH DUONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT

Panel 20E - - Line 47

to a letter written  by Jim's aunt after Jim's loss