The oldest of four children, William Erbach was schooled almost entirely in New Jersey. He graduated with a B.A. degree from Rutgers University and received is M.Div degree at Duke Divinity in 1960. He was ordained in the United Methodist Church that year. Married while in seminary, he had three children, two boys and a girl. Both sons served and retired from military service. Chaplain Erbach pastored churches in New York and New Jersey for 6 years and entered the military in January 1967. Assigned to Fort Campbell with the 101st Airborne Division, he earned his jump wings and deployed to Vietnam in December 1967. In January 1968 he was at Camp Drake in Japan, recovering from a wound received during Tet and the Battle of Hue. After returning to Vietnam to finish his tour, he spent two years at Fort Dix at their overseas replacement station. During this time he was able to receive a ThM degree in counselling from Princeton Seminary. He returned to the war zone with the 1st Signal Brigade in Thailand. He then served 2 years in Pedricktown, New Jersey, with the Nike Missile unit protecting New York and Philadelphia, followed by ChaplainÕs School and an M.S. degree in Sociology. He served three years in Boeblingen, Germany, with the 1st Infantry Division Brigade (FWD), and then two years at Fort Benning as the Engineer Brigade Chaplain, followed by four years as the Panzer Kasern Chaplain in Bamberg Germany. After four years as post chaplain at Fort Detrick, Maryland, he retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1989. For a time he served in local parishes and, after 61 years of pastoral service, retired to family farm in Fishers Hill, Virginia.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Captain (Chaplain’s Corps)Batallion:
2d Battalion (Airborne)Regiment:
501st Infantry RegimentDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
February 21, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Chaplain’s Corps) William W. Erbach, United States Army, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 21 February 1968. Chaplain Erbach distinguished himself while serving as chaplain with the 2d Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action near Hue, Republic of Vietnam. The Battalion was making an assault on a North Vietnamese Regimental base camp and was encountering severe enemy fire from a strong, well-entrenched bunker system. Fighting became very intense and drew to close quarters as casualties began to mount. Company D was making the main assault, and this is where Chaplain Erbach went in an effort to inspire the men. He continually moved along the line encouraging the men, but as the casualties increased Chaplain Erbach, unarmed and in complete disregard for his own safety, moved out across the bullet swept field to help care for an evacuate the wounded. Time and again he crossed the field, aiding the wounded and materially helping in every way possible. While assisting one of the fallen soldiers, Chaplain Erbach was himself seriously wounded after he had been repeatedly advised to leave the forward area. After receiving first aid and being taken to the rear, he refused medical evacuation and remained on the field caring for further wounded soldiers as they were brought to his position for evacuation. Only after all the wounded had been evacuated, five full hours after being grievously wounded himself, did Chaplain Erbach consent to being evacuated. His courage and inspiration were of great significance in contributing to the success of the battalion’s assault. Chaplain Erbach’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.