Members Killed
During the course of its existence the following American citizens died in Rhodesia:
| Name | Rank | Rhodesian Force Number | Date Killed | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coey, John AlanJohn Alan Coey | Corporal | 725702 | 01975-07-19July 19, 1975 | John Alan Coey graduated from Ohio State University in 1972 and flew to Rhodesia the day after he graduated. He first served in the Rhodesian Special Air Service, and afterwards in the Rhodesian Light Infantry, in the 2 Commando, with the attached Rhodesian Army Medical Corps. He was Killed in Action on 19 July 1975 by a gunshot wound. He was the first American out of the Crippled Eagles to die for Rhodesia. His journal, A Martyr Speaks was published in 1988, posthumously. |
| Clarke, George WilliamGeorge William Clarke | Trooper | 728197 | 01977-05-15May 15, 1977 | He was born in Canada, he came from a large family of 9 children. He lived in South Africa, and later in Southern California, according to some sources. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving in the United States Marine Corps, and was decorated with the Purple Heart twice during his Marine career. He was aged 28 when he was KIA. He served in the Rhodesian Light Infantry, in the Support Commando. He was Killed in Action on 15 May 1977 around Mtoko, in the then Tribal Trust Land, inside Rhodesia proper. |
| Biederman, Richard L.Richard L. Biederman | Sergeant | 726685 | 01977-12-06December 6, 1977 | He was from Minnesota, first he served in the Rhodesian Light Infantry, in the 2 Commando, and afterwards he was granted to enter the Rhodesian Special Air Service. He was killed on Active Service on 6 December 1977, in Mozambique, during an accidental shooting, but sources vary. |
| Battaglia, Frank P.Frank P. Battaglia | Trooper | 728515 | 01978-03-06March 6, 1978 | He was born in Florida, but later was a New Yorker. He was a Vietnam Veteran having served with the US Army 173rd Airborne, and reportedly wounded twice in the Vietnam War. He also served a full contract with the Spanish Foreign Legion. He came to Rhodesia with his wife, and went to C squadron SAS training troop. After SAS training he joined the Rhodesian Light Infantry, the 3 Commando, 14 Troop. He was Killed in Action on 6 March 1978, around Kavalamanja in Zambia during Operation Turmoil by a ZIPRA machine gun nest. Frank P. Battaglia's wife served with the Rhodesian Air Force, packing parachutes. He was an avid poker player and gave some young Rhodesian soldiers poker lessons while playing for matches. |
| Byrne, Joseph PatrickJoseph Patrick Byrne | Trooper | 728721 | 01978-10-26October 26, 1978 | Joseph Patrick Byrne was an Irish-American from Kearney New Jersey. He joined the Rhodesian Army in October 1977. He was a regular in the crowd of foreign volunteers that socialised in the Monomatapa Hotel and a friend of American author Robin Moore. He joined 3 Commando, Rhodesian Light Infantry on 24 March 1978 from Recruit Intake 162. He was Killed in Action on Operation Repulse at the age of 26, on 26 October 1978 around Middle Sabi or Lower Sabi inside in the Mutema Tribal Trust Land, in Rhodesia proper when his patrol came under fire in an open area devoid of cover. |
| Dwyer, Stephen MichaelStephen Michael Dwyer | Trooper | 729803 | 01979-07-16July 16, 1979 | Stephen Michael Dwyer was from Boston, Massachusetts. He served a Tour with the US Marine Corps in Korea. He joined the Rhodesian Light Infantry, the 3 Commando. He was Killed in Action, at the age of 27, while coming to the aid of fatally wounded fellow American comrade, Hugh John McCall, on 16 July 1979 on the Buffalo Range Area, in Rhodesia proper. |
| McCall, Hugh JohnHugh John McCall | Sergeant | 727941 | 01979-07-16July 16, 1979 | Hugh John McCall was a Vietnam Veteran having served with the US Army 173rd Airborne. He was Killed in Action on 16 July 1979 on the Buffalo Range Area, in Rhodesia proper. A well-known book on the Rhodesian Bush War, authored by Chris Cocks is dedicated to his memory. |
Read more about this topic: The Crippled Eagles
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