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Hugh
Sarah
Sarah
SP4 · Range · 11B10 · Infantryman
KIA
In-Country Service
1969-07-01 –
Home of Record
Plymouth, Wayne County, MI
Character of Service
Honorable
Archive Status
Active
Service timeline drawn from Virtual Wall, VVMF, Honor States, and the War Memorial article "In Service to One's Country" (warmemorial.org), which includes biographical detail from Hugh Kent Sarah Wilson, Hugh's biological son. If you served with D Company or knew Hugh Sarah, please use the contribute form to share what you remember.
1969-07-01
Arrived
Arrived in Vietnam — July 1, 1969
SP4 Hugh Henry Sarah began his tour with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry (Airmobile), 1st Cavalry Division, Republic of Vietnam. He was 23 years old. A degreed scientist and published writer from Plymouth, Michigan, Sarah had been highly coveted as officer material; he had discussed Officer Candidate School with his close friend Kent Ronhovde at Fort Dix. He arrived in Vietnam with Vickie, his wife, expecting their first child at home — due around the last week of September.
1969-09-11
Incident
Wounded in action — near LZ Ike, Tay Ninh Province, ~September 11, 1969
SP4 Sarah was out front during a ground combat mission near the river by LZ Ike when an explosive detonated. He suffered numerous devastating injuries. The incident date is not recorded in official records; the approximate date of September 11 is drawn from the account of his son, Hugh Kent Sarah Wilson, who later retraced his father's final weeks. His platoon sergeant, MSG Clyde Bonnelycke, was present and later provided a hand-drawn map of the area to Hugh.
1969-09-11
Casualty record
LZ Ike vicinity, Tay Ninh Province, III Corps, RVN
1969-09-23
KIA
Died of wounds — September 23, 1969
SP4 Hugh Henry Sarah died of his wounds on September 23, 1969, in Tay Ninh Province — approximately twelve days after the incident near LZ Ike. He was 24 years old and had been in-country 84 days. Vickie's son, Hugh Kent Sarah, was born around the same week. Army Captain Kent Ronhovde, Sarah's closest friend from basic training at Fort Dix, escorted the casket back to Michigan at Vickie's request and helped her plan the funeral. Hugh Henry Sarah is buried at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens. His name is on the Wall at Panel W17, Line 1.
Did You Know Hugh, or Serve Alongside Hugh?
We are actively collecting photographs, letters, and memories for this profile. Submissions are reviewed before publication. If you served with Hugh — or are a family member with materials — we'd be grateful to hear from you.
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