Jerry Shriver
American soldier (1941–1969) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jerry Michael Tate Shriver (24 September 1941 – 10 June 1969), also known by his nickname "Mad Dog", was a master sergeant in the United States Army, Green Beret, and served in the MACV-SOG.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][excessive citations] Shriver served in the Vietnam War and took part in operations along the Ho Chi Minh trail, Cambodia and Laos from 1966 to 1969. He also served in West Germany as part of a long range patrol unit and in Taiwan. He was described as a "warrior" by his peers and earned many medals and awards. He was known for being a brave, effective soldier, often successful in classified special operations missions in North and South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.[10][11]
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Jerry Michael Shriver | |
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Nickname(s) | Mad Dog, Digger |
Born | 24 September 1941 DeFuniak Springs, Florida, U.S. |
Disappeared | 24 April 1969 Memot, Cambodia |
Died | 10 June 1974 'Presumptive Finding of Death' |
Allegiance | United States Army, Green Berets, MACV-SOG |
Service/ | Army and special forces |
Years of service | 1962 - 1969 |
Rank | Master sergeant |
Unit | CCS - MACV-SOG, 5th Special Forces Group, 7th Army's Long Range Patrol Company. |
Awards | 2 Silver Stars, 7 Bronze Stars for Valor, 3 Army Commendation Medals for Valor, Soldier's Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Purple Heart,[1][2] |
Shriver was born in DeFuniak Springs, Florida,[12] and moved to Sacramento, California, while still in school. In 1962,[13] at the age of 21, he joined the U.S. Army and attended United States Army Airborne School. Shriver then joined the United States Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He spent a short time serving in the 101st Airborne Division but then was sent to Europe as a part of a long range Patrol company; he also served in Taiwan in 1964.[14] After spending a few years there he was sent to Vietnam around 1966 where he started building a reputation for being a devoted fighter. Assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group, he later joined MACV-SOG and took part in classified and covert special operations again, along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and other denied areas. Shriver frequently served with Montagnard soldiers, developing a close friendship and respect for their people and donating money and supplies.[12]