Photo courtesy of  Roger Smith

Enrique “Hank” Loranca

Vietnam March 1967 to March 1968
Gone but not Forgotten


37 years ago, but it was only yesterday!!  Hank was an infantryman, a rifleman, a point man, a squad leader, and he was always, for the entire year, 1st Squad 1st Platoon Bravo Company 1st Battalion (Mechanized) 5th Infantry Regiment.  Hank  was a Bobcat  and a member of  The Christmas Platoon!!  His reserved demeanor was always brightened by his sense  of humor.  He was a good soldier, knew his stuff, did it right, didn’t complain and was loved like a brother by those who fought alongside, in a close relationship that only combat can create.   Hank was there for Operation Junction City, Manhattan, Yellowstone, Kole Kole, and the biggest one of all, Tet Offensive 1968!!  He knew well the jungles, the booby traps and the tunnels of the Ho Bo Woods and the Boi Loi Woods, and he knew the Saigon River in the Iron Triangle.  He trudged through the rice paddies of Hau Nghia Province, set up ambushes on the Oriental River, “ran the roads” through Bao Trai, Duc Hoa, Cu Chi, Trang Bang, Go Dau Ha, and Tay Ninh.  Hank remembered the Sugar Mill, Hoc Mon, The Old French Fort, Katum, Prek Lok, and the Black Virgin Mountain.  He wore his CIB, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge which is the most prestigious award ever presented by the U.S. Army, proudly, and justly.  He survived enemy bullets snapping past him, mortar shells exploding around him, and mines detonating  below him.    He never forgot the rumble of a B-52 strike and had felt the heat of a close napalm drop on an enemy position, and he could distinguish, in his sleep, the faint “whumpf” of a distant enemy mortar tube being fired, through the loud constant barrage of friendly artillery pieces, next to his position, sending shell after shell into the night sky.  On September 12, 2004, Enrique “Hank” Loranca  succumbed to his    greatest battle, a long but valiant fight with some of those mysterious ailments often attributed to the  true combat Vietnam  Veteran’s worst enemy, Agent Orange.    Here’s to Hank, a special toast with a few snacks  on the side,   a salami roll, a pound cake, and a small can of apricots. Take care old friend and we will get together soon!!  SALUT!!

Very fondly remembered by members of  The Christmas Platoon

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