My father SSG Frank Lyons was serving as a squad leader for the 1st Platoon of B Company, 4th Battalion 9th infantry, which was conducting a search and destroy operation against the Viet Cong in Tay Ninh province. As the operation progressed the platoon encountered several Viet Cong booby traps. My father volunteered to clear the area despite the large number of booby traps and their potential hazard. After moving his men to set up security in the area my father began destroying the booby traps. His efforts revealed a Viet Cong bunker hidden by bamboo. While attempting to clear away the bamboo a large concussion mine exploded critically injuring my father. He died a week later. I just was 7 years old when my dad was killed. My father received several medals - the Purple Heart, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal with "V" and 2 Vietnamese medals..
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Thomas Lyons, Jersey City, New Jersey