Obit: Mahoney, Ronald J. (1943 - 1966)

Contact:  Ken Wood
Email: woodi1999@yahoo.com

Surnames: Mahoney, Bertz, Petersen

----Sources: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood County, Wis.) Monday Dec. 12, 1966; Page 1; Column 6

Mahoney, Ronald J. (17 Nov. 1943 - 8 Dec. 1966)

DIES IN ACTION Clark County Man Is Vietnam War Casualty

CHILI--Pfc. Ronald J. Mahoney, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max J. Mahoney, route 1, Chili, was killed in action Dec. 8, while on duty in the Vietnam war zone.

First word of the soldier's death was brought to the family Saturday afternoon by a Wausau army sergeant. Clark County Sheriff David Bertz also called at the Mahoney home after receiving the announcement.

Communications announcing the casualty said that Pvt. Mahoney had been on a work detail clearing roads when he was struck by "hostile small arms fire." He was a heavy equipment operator assigned to duty with the Engineering Corps.

A further announcement Sunday said the body was en route home for services and burial.

The Mahoney’s said they had received a letter from their son last Thursday. The letter had been written Dec. 1.

Pvt Mahoney entered military service in September of 1965 and had been on duty in Vietnam since last April.

He was born in Cherokee County, Iowa, Nov. 17, 1943, and was a graduate of Marshfield Senior High School. Before entering service he had been employed at the Chili Milk Products plant. The family moved to the Chili area in 1957.

In addition to his parents, he leaves six sisters, Mrs. Lawrence (Janice) Petersen, Salix, Iowa, and Carol Jean, Eileen, Susan, Barbara and Nancy, all at home, and a brother Donald, Marshfield.