★
Craig
Waterman
Waterman
CPL · Range · 11B10 · Infantryman
KIA
Known as "Water Buffalo"
In-Country Service
1970-05-27 –
Home of Record
Rockwell City, Calhoun County, IA
Character of Service
Honorable
Archive Status
Active
Service timeline drawn from Virtual Wall, VVMF, Honor States, and accounts from Greg McIntire (high school friend and pallbearer) and Jim Garvin (Range Platoon, 2/8 Cav). If you served with D Company or knew Craig Waterman, please use the contribute form to share what you remember.
1970-05-27
Arrived
Arrived in Vietnam — May 27, 1970
CPL Waterman began his tour with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry (Airmobile), 1st Cavalry Division, Republic of Vietnam. He was assigned to Range Platoon.
1970-09-03
Incident
Killed in action — September 3, 1970
CPL Waterman was killed on 3 September 1970 in Binh Tuy Province — officially recorded as a hostile ground casualty, misadventure (friendly fire). A Range Platoon comrade who was present described the incident: it was pitch black; Craig had gotten outside the wire for reasons no one has been able to explain; he tripped a flare near the position of another squad in the same platoon, and was fired on. He was 20 years old and had been in-country for 99 days. Why he was outside the wire that night is still not known.
1970-09-03
Casualty record
Binh Tuy Province, III Corps, RVN
Did You Know Craig, or Serve Alongside Craig?
We are actively collecting photographs, letters, and memories for this profile. Submissions are reviewed before publication. If you served with Craig — or are a family member with materials — we'd be grateful to hear from you.
Looking for official service or casualty records? See our guide →