Paul Frederick Charnetzki

Paul Charnetzki was from Valley City and was born May 25, 1936. He served in the Army's Military Assistance Command--Vietnam Advisers. Paul was 31 years old when he died on February 7, 1968. Paul left behind his wife and five sons. One son, also named Paul, said that his father loved this country and the Army. He was a professional soldier, and he respected and cared for his fellow soldiers. He spent as much time as he could with his sons, settling their fights and pretending to be tackled in their backyard football games. Paul was killed when the Vietnamese unit he was advising was ambushed. He was shot while assisting his unit members into the evacuation helicopter. Paul was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his gallantry in action, and his son Paul believes that he would have been proud of that award, but even more proud of what his friends told Paul's family; that he was the ultimate warrior.

He is buried in Section 670-1579, Grave 975 in Fort Donelson National Cemetery - Dover, Tennessee.