Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Specialist Five Ira Charles Brank, a brave U.S. Army Soldier who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1971 during the Vietnam War. He was just 29 years old.
A resident of Wheelwright, Kentucky, SP5 Brank served with unwavering commitment as a Construction Equipment Repairer (MOS 62B30) with 523rd Engineer Company, 36th Engineer Battalion, 34th Engineer Group, 20th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam Engineer Command, United States Army Vietnam.
At the time of his death, SP5 Brank was deployed in the Vinh Binh Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.
Beginning his tour in Vietnam on March 3, 1971, SP5 Brank’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.
SP5 Brank’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W2, Line 21, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
To learn more about SP5 Brank and his service to our country, click here. To leave a tribute to him on the Wall of Faces, click here.
If you have any additional information, photos, or videos related to SP5 Brank or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.
