Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Sergeant Thomas Jefferson Gabbard, a brave U.S. Army Soldier who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1969 during the Vietnam War. He was just 21 years old.
A resident of Highland Heights, Kentucky, Sergeant Gabbard served with unwavering commitment as an Infantryman (MOS 11B40) with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.
At the time of his death, Sergeant Gabbard was deployed in the Quang Tri Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.
Beginning his tour in Vietnam on Nov. 16, 1968, Sergeant Gabbard’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.
Sergeant Gabbard’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W17, Line 15, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
To learn more about Sergeant Gabbard 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 Sergeant Gabbard or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.
