PFC Charles Leroy Eller, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Clifton, NC. He was born March 10, 1947 in Clifton, Ashe County, North Carolina.
PFC Charles Leroy Eller was a member of the Army. PFC Eller served our country until November 17th, 1965 in South Vietnam. He was 18 years old and was not married. Charles died from multiple fragmentation wounds from a mine. His body was recovered. PFC Eller is on panel 03E, line 075 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.
The story of the Lost Vietnam Bible: Family, please contact me as I have something of his: I have recently come into contact with an item that dropped out of his pocket, when his body was being loaded onto a helicopter. I am writing a book about the First of the Fifth Cavalry, Bravo Unit, Vietnam, 1965. They loaded Charles's body for his return trip home. When I was interviewing a member of this unit, he got out his war mementos that had been stored away since he came home. When I asked him about a certain item he said, "Oh, my God I completely forgot about that". I was going to contact his family and return it to them. Now some 35 years later maybe his family will get it. I have the item and will tell you about it if anyone is interested. Judy Zimmerman, 603 Fourth St, Jamestown, KS 66948. UPDATE: The Bible was found. His Sister was found. The Bible was returned to the family.

THE SKYLAND POST, WEST JEFFERSON, NC. Thursday, November 25th, 1965.
What is to be believed as Ashe County's first casualty in Vietnam had been reported. In a telegram through the Red Cross, Mr and Mrs Earl Hoosier were informed of the death of her son PFC Charles Eller while on a "Search and Destroy Mission", September 17th. PFC Eller was killed by small arms fire according to the report.
He is the Son of Mrs Deette Hoosier.
He served with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division(AMBL), USARV.
He was awarded The Combat Infantryman's BAdge(CIB), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
Burial: Ashlawn Memorial Gardens, West Jefferson, North Carolina. Plot: Good Shepherd Section C, Lot #15, Space #3.
(source: Reece, Jim & Reece Thomas;NC Vietnam KIA/MIA's gravesites)

HIRAM ELROD; farmer, section 36, post office Stewartsville, was born in Ashe County, North Carolina, November 18, 1820, and was reared in his native county, and while there acted as deputy sheriff for four years. He was engaged in farming over many different parts of that state, and afterwards resided in Lee County, Virginia, for four years, there being occupied in teaching. In 1858, he moved to Arkansas, where he was engaged in farming and teaching till the breaking out of the war, and in 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate service, remaining till the close of the war. He then came to Clinton County, Missouri, where he has since resided, except during three years, when he lived in DeKalb County. Mr. E. has held the office of justice of the peace since 1876. His farm contains eighty acres of choice land. February 11, 1845, he was married to Miss Caroline Wells. She was born in Grayson County, Virginia, August 25, 1823. They have three children, Nancy F., John W., George A., and have lost seven.
(Source: The History of Clinton County Missouri; published 1881; O.P. Williams & Co.; Transcribed by Andrea Stawski Pack)