Glenn Boche

Glenn Boche was drafted into the U.S. Army in April 1969 and served with the 22nd Infantry Regiment, the 25th Infantry Division, while in Vietnam.

Specialist Boche was wounded-in February 1970 in fighting along the Cambodian border, north and west of the Tay Ninh base camp. The wounds were minor and for the most part, the fragments from the shrapnel were removed by himself and the company medic who, tragically, would be a killed-in-action the very next day. While this mission was temporarily called off, Specialist Boche and the other members of his unit, the very next day at a ceremony awarding commendations to the troops we, were told they were going right back out to the same location the next day as part of a six-company operation to locate the 272 NVA Regiment.

Boche was wounded a second time the very next day when they returned to the same location near the Cambodian border. Boche had been given the choice not to go, because he had been wounded already, but choose to go because he was made a squad leader earlier that day. Upon returning to the location, Boche’s squad was ambushed three times when they tried to move out after a brief fire fight. Regrettably, two members of the squad were killed-in-action during the first two ambushes, and several men were wounded. Boche and the other men then attempted to direct the medivac chopper in using flashlights on their helmets, but those efforts were unsuccessful because of the thick jungle canopy. The squad then moved out to go return to their landing zone, only to be ambushed again. During this third firefight, Boche was wounded by an explosion that occurred within their perimeter.

Boche shared “At first it was thought I had shrapnel wounds again but in 2008 when I had my knee replaced, doctors found copper fragments and it was then determined these were two bullet wounds just below the right knee and the third in the inside of my right ankle, as well. We ended up with two killed-in-action and 13 others were wounded.”

Along with two Purple Hearts, Specialist Boche was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including a Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, the Combat Infantry Badge, and more. Married, Boche worked for nearly 40 years with BNSF Railroad after completing his military service.

U.S. Army Specialist 4 (SP4) Glenn Boche represented his fellow Purple Heart heroes as Minnesota’s honoree during the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission.