Edward Michael Maher, Jr. was born on April 4, 1947, in Bronx, NY, to Gladys and Edward M. Maher, Sr. He had five siblings including Carol, Ralph, Doreen, Patricia and Barbara. His family moved to Hillsdale, NJ. His home of record is Hillsdale. Edward graduated from Pascack Valley Regional High School in 1964. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus No. 326. Members of his family had been in military service in all American conflicts since the Civil War.
Maher served in the US Army and completed basic training at Fort Dix, NJ. He attended Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. He was commissioned on June 9, 1967. He served with the 50th Infantry as a company commander at Fort Hood, TX, and was promoted to First Lieutenant (1LT) on May 25, 1968.
Maher had been in Vietnam for two months with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade and had chosen his own assignment with the division.
Maher was killed in action on August 2, 1968, while on an amphibious combat mission.
Services were held at Williams Funeral Home, Bronx, NY. A mass was held at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Roman Catholic Church in the Bronx, followed by interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Maher was awarded numerous medals and decorations including the Soldiers’ Medal for Heroism, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and the Sharpshooters Badge with rifle bar.
His Soldiers’ Medal citation reads:
For heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy force in the Republic of Vietnam. First Lieutenant Maher distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 2 August 1968 while serving with Company A, 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry. On that date, Company A was negotiating a river crossing in order to reach a suspected enemy stronghold. Lieutenant Maher’s platoon was the point element for the company. Heavy rains had swollen the river and greatly increased the current, but the river crossing was essential to the accomplishment of the mission. Lieutenant Maher, after placing security along the banks, began crossing with the point squad directly behind the point man, who suddenly slipped on a rock and fell into water over his head. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Maher discarded his weapon and rucksack and went into the turbulent waters, locating the floundering man so that he could be pulled to safety. In doing so, Lieutenant Maher was pulled down by the weight of his remaining equipment and was carried downstream by the current. First Lieutenant Maher’s heroic action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflected great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.
Tony Perez had this to say about his friend:
Ed was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for his heroism on the day he died. As you may know, the Soldier’s Medal is the equivalent of the Distinguished Service Cross and is awarded in the absence of enemy hostilities. As I understand it, while on combat operations, Ed’s radio operator fell into a canal.  The radio operator was carrying a considerable amount of equipment and would surely of drowned under the circumstances if not for Ed jumping in to rescue him. Unfortunately, Ed was not able to help himself and he drowned. This act in and of itself warranted the recognition he received, however, there is another aspect that is not commonly known. You see Ed had an intense fear of water. I know this because during our training in Panama we were required to cross several bodies of water as part of an escape and evasion exercise. Ed was the only one that requested and was granted permission to wear a life vest during the exercise.  You can well imagine the ribbing he took for wearing a life vest.
Sources: Tony Perez (friend), newspaper clippings and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
