James X. Gilch

Private First Class James X. Gilch was born on May 6, 1945. His home of record was Runnemede, NJ.

James X. Gilch entered the US Army and attained the rank of Private First Class. His tour of duty in Vietnam began on February 7, 1966. Gilch was assigned to B Company, 2nd Platoon, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mechanized), 25th Infantry Division.

Private First Class Gilch was killed in action on July 21, 1966. At 1600 on that day, the 2nd Platoon, B/1/5th Infantry, got into a firefight while conducting operations in the Filhol Rubber Plantation. During the fight, an armored personnel carrier maneuvered to attack the enemy’s flank. The APC was totally destroyed when a command-detonated mine set off TNT and C-4 explosives carried within the APC. Seven men died in the incident:

SSG Wilberto C. Sanchez, Harlingen, TX
SP4 David L. Berry, Houston, TX
SP4 Richard D. Gill, Williston, ND
SP4 Leo E. Hinterlong, Cincinnati, OH
SP4 Larry Van Clief, New York, NY
PFC James X. Gilch, Camden, NJ
PFC Samuel G. Harris, Cutler, OH

Private First Class Gilch was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart at a ceremony at Fort Dix, NJ. He is remembered by his comrades in arms from the 5th Infantry Regiment.

James X. Gilch is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Panel 9E, Line 52.

He is buried at New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr, NJ — Section L, Path 8.