William D. Huyler, Jr. was born on March 21, 1944, to William and Josephine Huyler. He had one sister, Nancy. His home of record is Short Hills, NJ. He graduated from Millburn High School in 1962, where he enjoyed football and biology. He continued his education at the Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1966. While a cadet at VMI, he was a biology major, a member of the student chapter of the Virginia Academy of Science and the VMI Glee Club. VMI later named a scholarship in his honor.
Huyler served in the US Army and attained the rank of Second Lieutenant (2LT).
Huyler was killed in action on September 14, 1967. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He is buried at Christ Church Cemetery in Short Hills, NJ.
William’s memory was honored at a public ceremony on May 7, 2004, dedicating a memorial at Millburn High School for former students who had died in the Vietnam War.
Excerpt from letter by Huyler written to his niece, Chris, on September 21, 1967, two days before he was killed in action:
Dear Chris –
This will probably be early but I am leaving tomorrow on a mine sweeping operation with the Infantry and I don’t know when I’ll be back to base camp.
Base camp is where we live. It is located in Lai Khe, which is North of Ben Cat about 4 miles.
The weather is very hot and humid and rains about 2 times a day.
If you could see some of the little girls and boys who live in Vietnam, you would see how lucky you are. Most of them don’t have a chance to go to school because they start work at about four years old. They live on rice and fish.
I am a forward observer with a mechanized infantry unit. That means we ride instead of walk. We mainly clear roads of mines and roadblocks, etc., and escort convoys. It is not a very choice job but the time will pass quickly because I will be busy.
Have a happy birthday and have Mommy and Daddy write and tell me all about what you girls have been doing.
Sources: Nancy Boye (sister) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
