Edmond John Landers was born on July 7, 1937, in Oola, County Limerick, Ireland. He was the son of John and Mary Landers. He was married to Teresa Murphy. In November 1955, he enlisted in An F.C.A. (Irelands Volunteer Reserve Defence Forces) in his native village of Oola. He served both in the Pallasgreen Battalion and the 3rd Field Supply & Transport Company, at Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick City.
Edmond emigrated to the U.S. in May 1957, living with his sister, and her family in Vacaville, CA. He worked for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company until he was drafted into military service in May 1958. In September 1958, he was assigned to the 2nd Airborne Battle Group, 503rd Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. There he completed his basic airborne course and later qualified as a Senior Parachutist. On April 30, 1960, Sp4 Landers completed his 2 years of service and was Honorably Discharged. However, he immediately re-enlisted in the Army for a 3-year term. Edmond became a U.S. Citizen in March 1963.
On May 15, 1968, Captain Landers was serving as Company Commander of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, in Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam. On that day, Cpt Landers and his company were conducting a reconnaissance in force mission near the village of Thu Duc, in the Thu Duc District, northeast of Saigon. During that mission, he was killed in action when he sustained wounds from a sniper. Cpt Landers is now buried in Oola Village Cemetery, Oola, County Limerick, Ireland.
Silver Star Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Edmond John Landers (0-5320185), Captain (Infantry), United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company A, 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division on 15 May 1968. On this date, Captain Landers was serving as the Commander of his unit on a reconnaissance in force mission near the village of Thu Duc. While moving through an area of thick vegetation, the friendly force was suddenly subjected to intense machine gun and automatic weapons fire from a numerically superior Viet Cong force. The insurgents occupied a series of well-concealed and strongly fortified bunkers and all approaches to the hostile positions were covered by integrated patterns of fire. At the time of the initial contact, Captain Landers courageously led his men forward through the intense hostile fire. He ignored the enemy rounds hitting all around him as he moved from position to position checking for casualties and adjusting friendly artillery fire upon the well-entrenched insurgents. Captain Landers then led an assault across an open rice paddy and from this forward position he was able to direct effective fire on four enemy bunkers. He directed evacuation helicopters into the area to insure that the wounded would be promptly extracted. Once again he reorganized his men and had them continue their assault. Moving through the area, destroying numerous enemy bunkers, Captain Landers suddenly spotted several Viet Cong about to fire from a pagoda. He shouted for his men to take cover but before he himself could reach safety, he was hit and mortally wounded. His selfless concern for the welfare of his men and gallant efforts undoubtedly saved numerous friendly lives and contributed significantly to the defeat of the large Viet Cong force. Captain Landers' unquestionable valor in close combat against numerically superior hostile forces is in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Source of information: militaryhallofhonor.com