Sergeant James Perry Cryster III: Courage and Sacrifice in Vietnam

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Sergeant James Perry Cryster III — A Brief Tribute

Sergeant James Perry Cryster III answered his country’s call during the Vietnam War. Drafted through the Selective Service, he began his tour on March 27, 1967, and served as a Light Weapons Infantryman with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Born August 31, 1947, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, SGT Cryster carried the service number 52852170.

Service and Unit

Assigned to a cavalry squadron within the 1st Cavalry Division, SGT Cryster performed the dangerous and demanding duties typical of light weapons infantrymen. These soldiers were trained for rapid, mobile operations that often placed them in forward positions and helicopter-borne missions. His role required skill, endurance, and steady leadership under fire.

Honors and Gallantry

During his tour, James P. Cryster distinguished himself for extraordinary bravery. He was awarded the Silver Star, a recognition for gallantry in action. The Silver Star is the United States military’s third-highest personal decoration for valor in combat, awarded to those who display conspicuous gallantry while engaged with enemy forces.

Actions Leading to His Wounding and Death

On November 14, 1967, during operations in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam, SGT Cryster was critically wounded. He was serving as a non-crew passenger on a helicopter when hostile action resulted in a crash. The injuries he sustained proved fatal, and he later succumbed to those wounds. His death is officially attributed to hostile action involving that helicopter crash.

Key Facts at a Glance
  • Name: Sergeant James Perry Cryster III
  • Birth: August 31, 1947 — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Drafted: Entered service via Selective Service
  • Tour start: March 27, 1967
  • Unit: B Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division
  • Role: Light Weapons Infantryman
  • Service number: 52852170
  • Award: Silver Star for gallantry in action
  • Date of wounding: November 14, 1967 — Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam
  • Cause of death: Injuries from hostile-action helicopter crash (non-crew passenger)
Remembering His Sacrifice

“He gave his all in the line of duty — courage beyond measure, a life in service of others.”

SGT Cryster’s story is one of many that illustrate the human cost of war. Personal details — a hometown in Pittsburgh, the date his tour began, and his service number — help to ground his sacrifice in a life that was cut short. These facts matter because they connect a name to a family, a community, and a history.

Legacy and How to Honor

Honoring soldiers like James P. Cryster can take many forms, from visiting memorials and reading official citations to researching service records and sharing their stories so future generations remember. If you are researching his service or seeking official documentation, primary sources such as military service records, award citations, or unit histories held by the National Archives and Department of Defense repositories are appropriate starting points.

For Families and Researchers

Families and historians researching SGT Cryster’s service should consider these steps:

  • Request official military personnel files through the National Archives or the National Personnel Records Center, following current procedures for records requests.
  • Search unit histories and after-action reports from the 1st Cavalry Division and the 9th Cavalry Squadron for context on operations in Quang Tin Province in 1967.
  • Locate local newspapers or Pittsburgh-area obituaries from late 1967 for announcements, remembrances, and funeral information.
  • Contact veterans’ organizations and local historical societies for leads on personal letters, photographs, or eyewitness accounts.
Closing

Sergeant James Perry Cryster III is remembered for valor and sacrifice. His Silver Star and the circumstances of his final mission are testament to courage under fire. Remembering his service preserves the legacy of one soldier and honors the many who served alongside him in difficult and dangerous conditions.

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