Bradley R. Degenaars was born in Paterson, NJ, on June 14, 1944, to Mr. and Mrs. Issac T. Degenaars. His home of record is Franklin Lakes, NJ, but he had lived in Paterson for 17 years before moving to Franklin Lakes with his family. He had two brothers, Thomas and Robert, and one sister, Alice. Bradley was a Ramapo Regional High School graduate.
Degenaars entered the US Army and attained the rank of Sergeant (SGT). Degenaars began his tour of duty in Vietnam on November 19, 1967.
Degenaars was killed in action on August 28, 1968, in a firefight in northwest Saigon, Danlac, South Vietnam. He was 24 years old and was expected to return home to his family in November 1968, upon completion of his one-year tour of duty. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal (with four stars) and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Degenaars received a military burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Brad and I were classmates throughout Grammar School and High School. I remember once in the 5th grade, Brad brought in a locked combination padlock to school. No one knew the combination. He took the thing apart, changed the combination, and got it working. That was Brad. He loved to “tinker” with things. I was already out of the service when I heard Brad was killed. I was very saddened. Visiting The Wall many years later brought back childhood memories. He was a great guy. I’ll always remember the sandy-haired kid with a big smile and robust laugh.
Written by Bob Caggiano, Classmate
Sources: Bob Caggiano, newspaper clippings, 1-22infantry.org and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
