In a Soldier's Own Words
- Theresa
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 17
In Memory - Carl Nicholas Mapes Horner...
Carl Nicholas "Nick" Mapes Horner was one of hundreds (if not more), of replacements to fill the ranks of the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry during the heavy fighting of 1968. Although Nick was killed in action on September 7, 1968, his voice still speaks vividly to us through the letters he sent home.
I was able to add his collection and story to the Echo Company Scrapbook on The Steel Thread Project website. Take time today, to read his letters and hear his story from his own voice.
To view Nick's Scrapbook, click on the link below and then scroll down until you come to Nick's.
Carl Nicholas "Nick" Horner was born on October 12, 1947. He was the youngest of three sons born to Lawrence Horner and Elizabeth Horner. Nick's father joined the US Army prior to WWII. During WWII, he flew for the Army Air Force, piloting PBY (OA-10) flying boats as an Air Sea Rescue pilot in the Philippines. Nick's mother was a teacher but also a pilot. Nick's father eventually retired from the United States Air Force.
In 1967, all three brothers were drafted into the US Army, but only Nick received orders for Vietnam. Nick went through Basic Training at Ft. Ord, California, from late September 1967 to November 22, 1967. Following a Thanksgiving break, Nick attended Advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. By early March of 1968, Nick was at Bien Hoa Airbase, followed by the 90th Replacement Center. After receiving an assignment to the 101st Airborne Division, Nick was sent to Phan Rang for a week of training before arriving at Phuoc Vinh Basecamp in mid-March of 1968. On March 18, 1968, Nick wrote home letting his parents know that he had been assigned to Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry. His next letter home reveals that he joined the Reconnaissance Platoon of Echo Company. Nick's letters follow the battalion's movements to FSB Concord, Dak To, Dak Pek, and in June of 1968 to the 25th Infantry Division's area of operation.
On July 18, 1968 Nick's father suffered a heart attack and passed away. Nick was sent home for a thirty-day period, returning to Vietnam in late August of 1968. Nick's final letter home was on September 4, 1968, a few days before he was killed in action.
Nicks' collection of photos and letters is courtesy of his oldest brother, Larry Horner.
Thank you, Larry, for letting us get to know your brother Nick.
To view Nick's Scrapbook, click on the link below and then scroll down until you come to Nick's.
If you have any stories, memories, photos etc. of Nick (or any other 3/187th Veteran) that you would like to share, please contact me. I would love to hear from you.
Thank you for taking the time to read a bit about Nick!
Theresa Scheets
Founder
The Steel Thread Project
Also, please consider subscribing to receive the latest updates from The Steel Thread Project!
Nick was in my recon unit