14 Mar 2006 Robert Torres volunteered to go to Vietnam so his brothers Raul and Wilfred did not have to go. He rapidly made his way to sergeant but was assigned to Vietnam. The last time we saw him was in December 1967 when he came home for Christmas. On January 5, 1968 he left for Vietnam and by February 5 he was dead. Robert was a hemophiliac, he had no business being there but he went anyway. Our lives were turned upside down by his loss, I for one never have my brother far from my thoughts. He was an easy-going person, always smiling and trying to help others. I am sure he would have been a great pharmacist as he wanted to be. If you know my brother you must know what I am saying is true. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts. From his sister, Marie K. Torres marie_k_torres@hotmail.com

 

15 March 2006 The following article is from The Philadelphia Inquirer for February 12, 1968:       Sgt. Torres, 20, was killed on February 5, just one month after he arrived in Vietnam. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Angelo M. Torres, of 1710 N. 3d St.       Sgt. Torres was a graduate of Edison High School and had completed one year at Philadelphia Community College when he enlisted in the Army in March, 1966. He planned to become a pharmacist.       Surviving with his parents are two brothers, Raul and Wilfred; a sister, Marie Kristine; a grandfather, Jose Torres; and a grandmother, Mrs. Micaela Ramos. From The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin for February 16, 1968 Girl, 9, Had Valentine Ready For Brother Killed in Action       "Valentine's Day means to me a very nice thing." wrote Marie K. Torres, nine, for a recent school assignment.       "I send cards to people and they send cards to me. I sent one to my brother, but he didn't get a chance to read it, not even to open it. I'm very sorry about that.       "I got him one just for him. But it's a pity he couldn't see it. But I bet he would of liked it if he'd opened it. Today is Valentine's Day and everybody is happy, but not me. But I hope my brother is happy with the good Lord."       Marie, a fourth-grade pupil at the Moffett School, 2d and Oxford sts., was referring to her brother, Army Sgt. Robert Torres, 20, who was killed in action in Vietnam on February 5.       Torres, son of Angelo and Petra Torres, of 1710 N. 3d st., was reported missing February 5 while on a combat operation against the Viet Cong. Later, his family was notified that he had been killed that day.       He had been in Vietnam only a month and was attached to the 9th Infantry Division. A 1965 graduate of Edison High School, he had attended Community College for a year and planned to become a pharmacist.       He enlisted in the Army in March, 1966. He is also survived by two brothers, Raul, 24, and Wilfred, 22. From The Philadelphia Daily News, special supplement entitled 'SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY,' October 26, 1987: Robert Torres N. 3rd Street, North Philadelphia The 1965 Thomas Edison High School graduate had planned to become a pharmacist and attended Philadelphia Community College before enlisting in the Army in March 1966. The 20-year-old sergeant, a team leader in Vietnam with Company C of the 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, was killed in action on February 5, 1968, during the Tet offensive. He was survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister. From a native Philadelphian and Marine, Jim McIlhenney christianamacks@comcast.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, lost three men on 05 Feb 1968: C Company: SGT Robert Torres, Philadelphia, PA CPL Wayne L. Golon, Bergenfield, NJ HQ Company: CPL Anthony Degerolamo, Wheatland, PA Corporal Degerolamo, a combat medic, probably was in the field with Charlie Company. Sergeant Robert Torres is buried in Site 523, Section F, Puerto Rico National Cemetery, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, among other men of courage.

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