Allen W. Vanderhoof was born on April 13, 1948, to Mr. and Mrs. John Vanderhoof. His home of record is Dover, NJ. He lived in Rockaway Township but had a Dover mailing address. He had three brothers, Robert, Paul and David, and three sisters, Ruth Ann, Trudy and Mrs. Robert Dougherty. Allen graduated Morris Hills Regional High School and graduated in 1967. He was a member of the Morris Hills football and track teams as well as chorus and yearbook clubs.

He enlisted in the US Army on September 20, 1967, and attained the rank of Corporal (CPL). Vanderhoof completed his Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY, and his Advanced Training at Fort Polk, LA. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry that was called the “Wolf Hounds.”

Vanderhoof was killed in action on May 21, 1968, during a search and destroy mission at Chu Chi, near Saigon.

Allen told his family that he was enlisting in the US Army so that his brothers didn’t have to. He also told them that he did not think he would live to his 21st birthday. In letters home he wrote of his commitment to his faith and family, joking that he looked forward to coming home and buying a new car.

Sources: Newspaper clippings, Morris Hills Regional High School, and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024