John S. Cartwright was born on June 19, 1947, and lived in Pine Hill, NJ. He was the youngest of six children and was raised by his mother. He had a love for motorcycles, racing cars and working on all kinds of cars. He shared this love with his older brothers and this created a great bond between them. He had a girlfriend prior to his service in Vietnam. He would have married her if he had returned home.

Cartwright served in the US Army and attained the rank of Private First Class (PFC). He began his tour of duty on January 13, 1967. He was a member of the 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 5th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, “Bobcats”. He was a truck driver, also known as an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC).

Cartwright was killed in action on May 4, 1967, when his truck ran over a land mine in the Ho Bo Woods in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam.

Cartwright was buried on May 15, 1967, in Beverly National Cemetery, Beverly, NJ.

Cartwright was honored after his death. The Rotary Club of Pine Hill gave him a citizen’s award. He received two Bronze Stars: one for valor and heroism, the other for meritorious service and for his efforts and professional ability. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his mortal wounds.

One of his Bronze Star citations reads:
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force: Private First Class Cartwright distinguished himself by heroic actions of 3 February 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a battalion search and destroy operation near Tay Ninh Province, the rear elements of the battalion were taken under extremely intense and accurate automatic weapons and recoilless rifle fire from an enemy force of undetermined size in a well concealed bunker complex. The small element immediately began to return fire, but a .50 caliber machine gun and several small arms weapons malfunctioned. Private Cartwright, with complete disregard for his personal safety, exposed himself to the intense enemy fire in order to place suppressive fire on the Viet Cong positions. He remained in this exposed position until support arrived, forcing the enemy to disperse. His aggressiveness and personal courage were instrumental in preventing the enemy force from overrunning his unit. Private Cartwright’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, the 25th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Sources: Joan Lockwood (sister), various websites, newspaper clippings and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024