Walter Stephen “Pete” Simpson was born on August 21, 1941. His home of record is Trenton, NJ. He had one brother, Richard.
Walter entered the US Army where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSGT).
Simpson was listed as missing in action on May 21, 1967, when his unit was ambushed.
Synopsis (from the POW Network) as to the circumstances behind being listed as MIA:
Walter S. Simpson was the track commander of K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
On May 21, 1967, Simpson, commander of an armored cavalry vehicle, was on a convoy escort mission when his unit was ambushed by Viet Cong forces about 10 miles southeast of Xuan Loc in Khanh Province, South Vietnam. SSGT Simpson’s vehicle was in the rear of the column when they came under fire. His vehicle sustained several recoilless rifle hits. It was totally destroyed and completely gutted by fire.
A thorough search of the ambush area was made on the 21st and 22nd of May, but although three other remains were recovered from the track vehicle, SSGT Simpson could not be located and is still listed as missing in action.
His name appears on the Veterans’ Memorial at Hamilton High School West in Hamilton, NJ, along with the six other graduates from that school that were killed in Vietnam.
Follow this link to read an article from the May 25, 2006, special addition of the The Trentonian newspaper.
Sources: POW Network, various websites, newspaper clippings and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
