CAPTAIN EDMOND J. LANDERS, SS, BSM, PH.

Passport-type photograph from Edmond J.Landers' Identity Card, taken in 1967 during his term of duty with USAREUR Heidelburg, Germany

Edmond J. Landers was both a dedicated family man and a professional career soldier. On the day he died he left behind a young wife and daughter, who was just twelve days away from her third birthday. In a letter to his widow after his death, his Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Max Waldrop stated that :

" I find it difficult to write to you as it reminds me of Ed and that black day of 15 May. As I've said before, not only did I lose an outstanding Company Commander, I also lost a friend along with several other fine soldiers."

It was discovered during research that the two posthumous decorations awarded to Captain Landers back in 1969 had, for reasons unknown, never been presented to his family, although written notification was given by the Department of the Army. These were the National Order of Vietnam, Fifth Class and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. In light of this discovery, contact was made with the U.S. Defence Attache to Ireland, Colonel Gerry Saltness, who investigated the matter and arrangements were then made by the Department of the Army to have these two awards presented to Mrs. Teresa Landers and her daughter Chantelle at the conclusion of the tour of Ireland of "The Wall that Heals" in the grounds of Adare Manor, County Limerick in May 1999.