SP5 Sammuel Edgar Surber, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Todd, North Carolina.
Specialist Five Sammuel Edgar Surber was a casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, SP5 Surber served our country until January 15th, 1970 in Tay Ninh, South Vietnam. He was 22 years old and was not married. It was reported that Sammuel died from an undetermined accident. His body was recovered. Sammuel was born on October 13th, 1947 in Todd, North Carolina. SP5 Surber is on panel 14W, line 036 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year.
My Uncle, Sammuel E. Surber, gave his life at the age of 22. He was a young man with his whole life ahead of him and a loving family waiting for him at home. I was only 3 at the time, but I remember it. My grandmother never quite got over her great loss. He was due to come home within a week. They thought he might possibly be on his way, when they got word of his death. Down through the years my mother has taught me to have the utmost respect for those men and women in the service. I am so thankful for the sacrifices they have made for our freedom and the freedom of others. I am also thankful that God blessed me by letting me be born in America. I appreciate the freedom we have and I try to teach my children to appreciate it also. It is the job of every American parent to teach their children to respect our military and to not take for granted the freedom that our service men and women have so bravely defended. I pay tribute to my "Uncle Sammy" for his bravery and sacrifice. His memory will live for many generations to come. We love and miss him. Pam Caparolie Dillard.
SP5 SAMMUEL E SURBER, 22, DIED IN VIETNAM LAST THURSDAY, Thursday January 22, 1970. Obituary:
SP5 Sammuel E. Surber, 22 of Todd was killed in Vietnam last Thursday, January 15. Surviving are his parents, Martin and Hazle Goodman Surber of Todd, three sisters, Mrs Pollie Caparolie of Todd, Mrs Betty Dean of Blowing Rock, and Miss Rebecca Surber of the home, one brother, David Surber of the home. Also surviving is a maternal grandmother of Todd, Mrs. Polly Goodman.
He served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division(AMBL), USARV.
He was awarded The Bronze Star Medal, The Army Achievement Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, The Combat Infantryman's Badge(CIB), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.
Burial: Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery, Fleetwood, North Carolina.
(source: Reece, Jim & Reece Thomas;NC Vietnam KIA/MIA's gravesites)
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