Randall F. Irlmeier

Vietnan War

Randy Irlmeier was born in Carroll, IA, on March 29, 1950, to Herbert and Bernice (Steffes) Irlmeier. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Kuemper High School with the class of 1968. He worked on the family farm until he was inducted into the service.

Randy signed up for the United State Marine Corps under the buddy program in June, 1968, with Jim Hulsing and Dave Schultes. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 12, 1968, and was assigned serial number 2473774. Randy was sent to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at San Diego, CA for basic training. There he was a member of Platoon 2083, F Company of the Recruit Battalion.

By January 16, 1969, Randy was moved to Camp Pendleton, CA. There he was assigned to class 2511-25 in Area 16 of the Communications School Battalion. His training was in telecommunications. By April, 1969, his training was complete and he had been promoted to PFC (private first class). On April 15, 1969, Randy arrived at Da Nang, South Vietnam. This was a large American base on the coast of the South China Sea about 125 miles south of the DMZ with North Vietnam.

Randy was then assigned to the Communication Section of H&S Company (Headquarters and Service), 1st Tank Battalion of the 1st Marine Division. This unit had been deployed to Vietnam during 1966. The unit’s primary mission was to support the infantry in combat with the enemy. The unit was involved in combat in Operation Oklahoma Hills southwest of Da Nang during May, 1969.

Combat operations continued during 1969 and Randy’s unit was also involved in assisting the Vietnamese people by constructing wells, culverts, small bridges and schools. By October 23, 1969, Randy had been promoted to L/Cpl (lance corporal). Early in 1970, the 1st Tank Battalion began to prepare to return to the United States. The unit arrived back at Camp Pendleton, CA in March, 1970, and Randy was discharged.

Randy returned to Carroll County and was engaged in farming. On June 4, 1971, he was married to Joan Sporrer at St. Joseph Church in Dedham, IA. Unfortunately, the marriage ended in divorce in 1999. He later moved to South Carolina and married Janice Wolfe. Randy died at Ravenel, SC on October 1, 2020 at age 70. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.