Joe Van Abernathy

First Lieutenant Joe Van Abernathy, US Army, was born 24 January 1946 in Clinton, OK, and was raised in Sweetwater, OK. After graduating from Sweetwater High School in 1964, he enlisted in the US Army in 1966 and graduated from Officer Candidate School. In 1968 he was deployed to Vietnam with Company B, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 61st Infantry, 1st Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division. This native Oklahoman proved to be an extraordinary leader and warrior.

For his actions on 25 October 1968, LT Abernathy was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. On that date, Abernathy led his platoon into northern I Corps. One of the companies involved in the mission was pinned down. In order to relieve the imperiled company, Abernathy led his platoon in a charge up a steep hill, overrunning three mortar sections. During the assault, Abernathy killed three of the NVA. Regrouping his platoon, he pressed on, covering 200 meters before heavy fire slowed the advance. Abernathy quickly noted a camouflaged automatic weapons position and ordered antitank weapons to fire on the bunker. Then, still under heavy fire, he and two other men assaulted and overpowered the enemy.

Eight months later, LT Abernathy was awarded the Silver Star medal for the following action. On 18 June 1969, Abernathy, with the same company, fought the enemy southwest of Khe Sanh. At 0330 hours, his company was attacked by an NVA sapper company, reinforced by heavily armed NVA regulars. The enemy overran part of the perimeter. Abernathy led his scout platoon to the vulnerable area and placed his men for maximum effect. They laid down a devastating base of fire, and Abernathy killed five of the NVA soldiers enabling his men to re-establish the perimeter.

LT Abernathy was inducted into the Army OCS Hall of Fame. After his military service, he completed college and had a successful career with Texas Instruments.