The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SP4 Carl Delane Nagengast, who died in the service of his country on May 20th, 1967 in Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Grenades. At the time of his death Carl was 25 years of age. He was from Long Beach, California. Carl is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 20E, Line 68.
The decorations earned by SP4 Carl Delane Nagengast include: the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star with V, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
VICINITY VINH HIEN (3), 8 KM N-NW OF DUC PHO BS 774455
Buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Cypress, CA Space 3; Lot 1296; Church Yard section
(A Very Touching Biography from Carls wife, Lea Denise Fairchild: fairchild_lead@yahoo.com )
CARL D. NAGENGAST
BORN: OCTOBER 27, 1941 IN HOWELLS, NEBRASKA
TO: CARL GEORGE NAGENGAST (DECEASED)
AND ANGELINE (LIMBACH) NAGENGAST (DECEASED)
and 1 SISTER, LOIS NAGENGAST (BORN: ca. 1936)
RAISED IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
GRADUATED FROM ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL IN 1959
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
EMPLOYED BY NORTH AMERICAN AVIATION (NOW BOEING CORP.) IN 1961- JAN. 1963
HOBBIES: REBUILDING / RESTORING CARS - BELONGED TO SHIELDS CAR CLUB OF LONG BEACH
LEAGUE BOWLING -- LONG BEACH ELKS LODGE
BUSINESSMENS BOWLING TEAM (200 PLUS AVERAGE)
(Several men from the Elk's Team and other teams thought Carl would become a Pro Bowler)
MARRIED: LEA DENISE GOLE
ON JANUARY 4, 1964
AT OUR LADY OF REFUGE CATHOLIC CHURCH
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA
(LEA - BORN: 1/25/1942 IN ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA
RAISED IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA, ATTENDED HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL AND GRADUATED FROM WILL ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL IN 1960
AND RETURNED TO CALIFORNIA IN SEPTEMBER, 1960 ATTENDED LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE 1960-1962EMPLOYED BY NORTH AMERICAN AVIATION ON 1/25/62, WHERE CARL AND I FIRST MET)
(NO CHILDREN)
DRAFTED: INTO THE U.S. ARMY ON JANUARY 4, 1966 AT THE AGE OF 24 - LEFT FOR FORT CARSON, COLORADO FROM LONG BEACH 2 WEEKS LATER, ON 1/25/66
SERVED 1 YEAR AND 3 MONTHS AT FORT CARSON, COLORADO - DEPLOYED FROM SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
TO REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM, January 1967
KIA: RVN - MAY 20, 1967
WHAT HE MEANT TO US...
Carl was a very special man and an inspiration to us all. He was truly loved by everyone who had the fortune to know him. He was considered a blessing to everyone in our family and was never timid about showing his love for all of us.Sweet and gentle, yet strong and determined. He was, in addition to being our beloved Husband, Son, Brother and Friend, our "rock". Always there to support all of us in times of need. He was very handsome and easily recognized by his beautiful smile and friendliness.
Carl was beyond his years in maturity. Which was obvious in his sense of responsibility and commitment to doing the best he could do at anything he approached in life, regardless of any adversity he may encounter along the way. He worked and saved for what he wanted to own and made sure he remained close and true to those he loved. (Including what we used to refer to as our "first child", Bitsie!Bitsie was a small Terrier dog that Carl picked up one day on his way home for some place) He took meticulous care of what he did own and loved doing it. Carl and I set dreams and goals for our life together before we were married and we started down that path to achieving what we dreamed of, from day one. We worked and saved together and were able to purchase a new car and owned our own home within our first year of our marriage.
Our short, but blessed life together was full of amazing experiences. We loved and enjoyed each other as well as our families and friends. We liked to entertain and to be entertained. We were very "playful" together and felt we could conquer it all!
Carl was very good at Accounting and had set a goal for after his return home to start College Courses in Finance.
It seemed so certain to our friends and families that it was Gods will for Carl and I to meet and marry. I am sure our story will convince you of the same.
(Following is a letter to Carls wife from Company Commander Luis Barcena)
Dear Mrs. Nagengast June 8 1967
I want to extend to you my deepest and most profound sympathy on the loss of your husband. Specialist Four Carl Nagengast was killed in action on 20 May 1967.
On 19 May 1967, our company was on a search and destroy operation just north of the coastal city of Duc Pho and west of Highway 1 when we made contact with a large enemy force. We drove this force from its base camp and then late that night set up a perimeter defense. Your husband volunteered to serve as a listening post in front of our perimeter to give us early warning of any impending attack. At 4:00 A.M. the enemy approached our perimeter. They were within feet of your husband when he took them under fire. This early warning gave the entire company time to get in their foxholes, which saved many lives. Fragments from an enemy rifle grenade mortally wounded your husband and he died moments later. It must be of some comfort to you that he did not endure any prolonged suffering.
Your husband's death was a shock to everyone in our company. A natural leader and recent graduate of the Non-Commissioned Officers Leadership School, he was just beginning to utilize his leadership in control of a fire team. He was very much respected as a good soldier and extremely well liked as a person. His courage and self-sacrifice will long be an example for all of us.
A memorial service will be held honoring your husband at our forward base camp, near Duc Pho. Carl's personal belongings have been collected and will be sent to you. I hope they reach you in good condition and without delay.
Once again on behalf of the officers and men of this company, please accept this letter as a token of our sympathy and for the deep regret we feel over your tragic loss. Our prayers will be with you forever.
Sincerely Yours,
Luis C. Barcena
CPT, Infantry
Commanding
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