Robert Allen Layton, Jr. was born on July 23, 1944, and grew up in Penns Grove, NJ. His home of record is Carneys Point, NJ. He was the son of Robert A. and Dorothy S. Layton and had a brother, J. Arthur Layton. He was a 1962 graduate of Penns Grove High School where he enjoyed tennis, golf and basketball. Layton then went on to the University of Delaware and graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science from the University’s college of Arts and Science. While at the university, he was a member of ROTC, Delta Tau Delta and was president of the University Intramural Council.
Layton entered the US Army on September 23, 1968 and was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 199th Brigade where he attained the rank of Second Lieutenant (2LT).
On July 3, 1969, Layton was killed in action. He received the Silver Star with “V” for heroism, the Bronze Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster for Heroism, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Expert Automatic Rifleman’s Badge.
Layton’s Bronze Star citation reads:
Lt. Layton was awarded the Bronze Star for exceptional heroism under enemy fire. Serving as platoon leader, he maneuvered his unit into a position to offer support to a company that had come under intense hostile fire, and exposed himself to enemy fire while assisting in treatment and evacuation of wounded personnel. When the last evacuation helicopter crashed, he was one of the first to the crash scene, dragging occupants to safety.
Layton’s Silver Star citation reads:
Lt. Layton was cited for gallantry in action while leading his platoon in suppressive fire against a well-concealed North Vietnamese army battalion. Layton, with complete disregard for his own safety, maneuvered through the enemy fire to retrieve wounded personnel and supervise and encourage his men. In an attempt to rescue a seriously wounded medical aidman, an exploding rocket fatally wounded him.
Robert’s name appears on the Penns Grove High School Vietnam War Memorial, dedicated in September 2010, which stands near Penns Grove Middle School.
Sources: Dorothy Layton (mother) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
