James Fields
About James Fields
James Thomas Fields
United States Army
Vietnam War
SP4
5/12/1948 – 2/15/1969 Killed in Action Long Khanh Province, South Vietnam
James Thomas Fields was serving his country during the Vietnam War when he gave his all in the line of duty. James was drafted into the Army via Selective Service. He began his tour on 6 July 1968. His military occupation or specialty was Light Weapons Infantry. He was attached to 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Troop A, United States Army. Fields had the rank of Specialist Four.
During his service in the Vietnam War, Army Specialist Four Fields experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on 15 February 1969. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Died through hostile action... air crash on land. Incident location: South Vietnam, Long Khanh province. On February 15, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter…was transporting troops in Tay Ninh Province, RVN, when it was hit by hostile small arms fire, crashed and burned. One of the crewman and four troopers being transported were killed in the incident. They included…infantryman Sp4 James T. Fields. According to The Coffelt Group Report, Fields’ helicopter was enroute to rescue others from a helicopter downed just before them.
For his service and sacrifice, James Thomas Fields was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star (Merit), the Air Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, the National Defense Service Medal, the Marksmanship Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Army Presidential Unit Citation.
James Thomas Fields was born on 12 May 1948. According to our records Michigan was his home or enlistment state and Wayne county has been included within the archival record. We have Plymouth listed as his city. James was the son of Lawrence V. Fields of Plymouth, Michigan. He was a graduate of Plymouth High School, Class of 1966.
James Thomas Fields is interred at Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth, Michigan. James is remembered on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVN Wall, Panel 32W, Line 37.