Harry William Klotz, Jr. – Specialist 5, United States Army

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From a contemporary press report:

Harry William “Bill” Klotz Jr., 62, a former Falls Church printer who had battled health problems since he was severely disabled in the Vietnam War, died of septicemia January 7, 2004, at the Veterans Affairs Hospital.

Specialist Klotz, who had been bedridden for the past two years, was born in Washington and grew up in McLean, Virginia. He graduated from McLean High School in 1960.

He then worked as a printer in Falls Church before he was drafted into the Army in 1966.

About two years later, Specialist Klotz was an Infantry Sergeant serving in Vietnam. On January 30, 1968, less than a month after his son was born in the United States, he was shot in the head as he was perched atop a roof of a general’s compound in Na Trang, defending it against the Viet Cong forces in the Tet Offensive.

Spcialist Klotz underwent surgery at an Army hospital in Japan, where a third of his brain was removed, according to his sister, Linda Cope.

“He wasn’t expected to survive, but I guess the thought of his son kept him going,” Cope said.

Specialist Klotz was eventually transferred to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington.

He received the Bronze Star with oak-leaf cluster and the Purple Heart before retiring from the Army on 100 percent disability.

After years of rehabilitation for paralysis of the left side of his body, he learned to walk with a leg brace, feed himself with special utensils and even drive a car, Cope said.

He enjoyed dining out, going to the movies and visiting relatives while living at his childhood home under the care of his mother, Sarah M. Klotz.

Specialist Klotz moved into an assisted-living facility after his mother’s death in 1992.

He was a member of Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion.

His marriage to Peggy Klotz ended in divorce.

In addition to his son, William Edward Klotz of Manassas, and his sister, of Valley Lee, survivors include another sister, Susan M. Murray of Welcome, and two grandchildren.

KLOTZ, HARRY WILLIAM “BILL”, JR.

On January 7, 2004. Survived by his son, William Edward Klotz; two grandchildren, Alanna Klotz and Noah Klotz, all of Manassas, Virginia; sisters, Linda A. Cope of Valley Lee, Maryland, and Susan M. Murray of Welcome, Maryland.

Service Tuesday, January 27, 2004, 3 p.m. at Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery, followed by interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

KLOTZ, HARRY WILLIAM JR
SP5   US ARMY

  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 10/25/1966 – 06/12/1968
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 01/14/1941
  • DATE OF DEATH: 01/07/2004
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 01/27/2004
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 3601
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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