Robert was born in Wausau Wisconsin, but grew up in Michigan City Indiana, where he attended Saint Mary's Catholic High School, graduating with the Class of 1960. After graduating from Saint Mary's, Robert went to work for the U.S. Postal Service, until he was called up for Military Service. He began his tour in Vietnam on February 14, 1968. Six months later, on 25 August 1968, units of the 48th Transportation Group were running a resupply convoy from Long Binh to Tay Ninh, where Allied units were heavily engaged with NVA and VC forces. Near Ap Nhi the convoy was anbushed by a reinforced battalion of the North Vietnamese Army. At least seven American troops died in the initial engagement, and one of them - Sergeant William W. Seay - received a posthumous Medal of Honor. US forces in the area responded rapidly and violently, with two infantry companies and an armored troop arriving on scene. The ambush became a day-long fight that ended after night fell. Nineteen US soldiers were killed in the incident, eleven from the convoy personnel and nine from the reaction force. You can read more of the story and list of 19 casualties here and a detailed first person accounting of the ambush here. According to the C/3/22nd Association web site, the following is the text for the citation for Robert's Silver Star: Robert was 26 years old at the time of his death, and in addition to his parents, he was survived by his son, Edward Dorshak Fuller, his sister Jean Crosley, brothers Raymond, Ronald (Nancy), Roger (Nancy) Dorshak, all of Michigan City Indiana, another sister Joyce (Terry) Noveroske of San Antonio Texas, and several nieces and nephews. Below photo of medals and citations display board for Robert J. Dorshak. Top row from left to right: 22nd Infantry Distinguished Unit Identification Lapel pin; Transportation collar brass, photo of Robert, Transportation collar brass, and 22nd Infantry Distinguished Unit Identification Lapel pin. 2nd Row from left: Combat Infantryman Badge, Photo, National Defense Service Medal and Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and Ribbon. 3rd Row: Marksman Badge with Rifle and Automatic Rifle bars, name tag, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon. 4th Row: Bronze Star Certificate for Meritorious Achievement, Bronze Star Medal and ribbon; Silver Star and Ribbon; Silver Star Certificate. 5th row: South Vietnam Military Merit Medal below ribbon, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm-Unit below ribbon, Purple Heart Certificate, Vietnam Service Medal below ribbon, and Vietnam Campaign Medal below ribbon. Bottom row, below Purple Heart Certificate is the Purple Heart Medal below it's ribbon. Robert and his parents, Marie R Fochs Dorshak (1912-1993) and Edward R Dorshak ( -1976) are buried in same cemetery in Greenwood Cemetery, Michigan City, La Porte County, Indiana. Robert is in the Veterans of All Wars Circle, Grave 5. - - The Virtual Wall, September 12, 2014

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