Ralph Byrd

Ralph Byrd (Nov. 27, 1943 – Feb. 7, 1966) was a soldier from Scott County killed during the Vietnam War.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born Nov. 27, 1943, Ralph Byrd was the son of Fletcher Herman Byrd (1914-1985) and Frannie Eloise Botts (1914-2003) of Helenwood. His siblings included Ray Byrd, Raymond Byrd, Ernestine Keller, Kathleen Schwarte, Herman Byrd and Henry Byrd.

Vietnam War

Sp4 Byrd enlisted in the U.S. Army on Dec. 29, 1965 and was assigned to Co. B, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Aiborne Division. He was fighting in the Phu Yen Province in South Vietnam on Feb. 7, 1966 when he was killed by small arms fire.

Aftermath

Sp4 Byrd was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.

His body was returned home, and he was buried at Sunset Memorial Park in North Olmsted, Oh. He is listed on the VFW Post 5669 Memorial Wall in Oneida, the Scott County Veterans Memorial in Huntsville, and the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial in Knoxville. He’s also listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

His father died in 1985 and his mother died in 2003. Both are buried at Hazel Valley Memorial Cemetery in Oneida.