William W Erbach


Chaplain (Captain) William W. Erbach airlifted to Vietnam with us from Fort Campbell, KY

21 February 1968

CPT William W. Erbach was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 February 1968. Chaplain Erbach distinguished himself while serving as chaplain with the 2d Battalion (Airborne) 501st Infantry near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. The Battalion was making an assault on a North Vietnamese Regimental base camp and was encountering severe enemy fire from a strong, well entrenched bunker system. Fighting became very intense and drew to close quarters as casualties began to mount. Company D was making the main assault, and this is where Chaplain Erbach went in an effort to inspire the men. He continually moved along the line encouraging the men, but as the casualties increased Chaplain Erbach, unarmed and in complete disregard for his own safety, moved out across the bullet swept field to help care for an evacuate the wounded. Time and again he crossed the field, aiding the wounded and materially helping in every way possible.

While assisting one of the fallen Soldiers, Chaplain Erbach was himself seriously wounded after he had been repeatedly advised to leave the forward area. After receiving first aid and being taken to the rear, he refused medical evacuation and remained on the field caring for further wounded Soldiers as they were brought to his position for evacuation. Only after all the wounded had been evacuated, five full hours after being grievously wounded himself, did Chaplain Erbach consent to being evacuated. His courage and inspiration were of great significance in contributing to the success of the battalion’s assault. Chaplain Erbach’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself,
his unit, and the United States Army.

Information provided by Ryan P. Niebuhr CW2, AD
2nd Brigade Historian
101st Airborne Division

Bravo Company posted the following about the Battalion Chaplain:

“On a sweep near Hue, Chaplain (Capt) William W. Erbach showed courage typical of chaplaincy. He was bent over helping a wounded man when a bullet passed through his midsection. Denying his pain, he continued to aid the wounded and accompanied them by helicopter to a field hospital at nearby Camp Evans. ‘No one even knew he was injured,’ said Sfc. Donald W. Lester, medical platoon sergeant at the hospital. ‘He came in as cheerful as ever, talked to the wounded and helped them relax.’ Finally, after everyone else had been cared for, Erbach showed the medics where the bullet had penetrated his abdomen and asked, ‘What about me?’ ‘It’s no wonder the men like to have the chaplain along,’ commented a hospital medic. ‘The chaplain gives them a sense of home, security, something they can rely on.'”


I will never forget this Chaplain. I think about him sometimes. He was always having me do push-ups for cussing. I still cuss but he tried. Comments by Floyd Turnley