DARKE COUNTY – A portion of Ohio St. Rt. 49 north highway will be dedicated to fallen Darke County Vietnam War hero, Private First Class James Vincent Pottkotter, who died in action on November 1, 1965. State Representative Angie King of Ohio District 84 presented legislation to honor Pottkotter. House Bill 497 was passed and signed by Governor Dewine on August 31, 2026. The memorial signs will be located on St. Rt. 49 N between Rossburg-Lightsville Road and McFeeley-Petry Road in Darke County.
Fort GreeneVille DAR Chapter will host the Pottkotter family, friends, Veterans, classmates, and the community on Saturday, October 24 to dedicate the highway in honor of Private First Class James Vincent Pottkotter. Jim Buchy will be the Master of Ceremony.
James Vincent Pottkotter was born on May 31, 1945. His parents were Vincent and Adaline (Roessner) Pottkotter. He was the brother to siblings Larry, Joanne, Susan, Karen, Mike, and Joyce. Pottkotter graduated from Mississinawa High School in 1963 and enlisted into the US Army in January 1965.
Pottkotter began his tour on September 21, 1965. He had the rank of Private First Class; service number assignment was 15721129. He was attached to the 1st Calvary division, 1st battalion, 12th Calvary, D Company. During his service in the Vietnam War, Army PFC Pottkotter experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on November 1, 1965. He was the first Darke County casualty in the Vietnam War.
On that fateful date, he was conducting search and destroy operations in the Ia Drang Valley, southwest of Plei Me in Pleiku Province, RVN.
At 7:20am, scouts from B Troop, 1/9 Cavalry spotted a dozen North Vietnamese Army soldiers which they took under fire. An Aero Rifle platoon was dispatched to the area while a larger group of NVA, estimated at 30 strong, was spotted near the American position. Using scout aircraft as guides, the 30-man Aero Rifle platoon made contact with an NVA element near a streambed, killing five and capturing four.
Moving on, the platoon captured an aide station believed to be at least regimental in size with all its supplies and equipment. The NVA challenged the American encroachment around their hospital, and a battle raged through the day between three platoons of 1/9 Calvary and the enemy. Assaults were repulsed over and over by just the weapons carried by the American troopers since the enemy pressed so close as to preclude the use of tactical air or aerial rocket artillery support. Reinforcements of five more platoons were airlifted into the area late in the afternoon. The destruction of the aid station was a major find for the Division and also provided the opportunity for the destruction of enemy forces. Enemy losses were put at 99 KIA body count, 183 total KIA estimation, with 208 WIA. Furthermore, the capture of documents yielded maps that revealed enemy supply and march routes. These were converted into intelligence that led to additional interdictory bombings by the US Air Force. American losses were 10 fatalities. They included PFC James Vincent Pottkotter along with SGT Neil R. Hans, PFC Rodney C. Harris, SGT Ralph W. Onana, PFC Alton E. Baker, PFC Jesus R. Bermudez, SP5 Charles R. Davis Jr., SP4 Thomas D. Duncan, SGT Daniel D. Harden, and SP4 James Hoover. [taken from coffeltdatabase.org and extracts from 1st Cavalry Division reports for November 1, 1965.]
Accommodations and awards included the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Vietnam Gallantry Cross. He is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 03e, Line13, Washington DC.
The dedication ceremony on October 24 will take place at the Golder-Pottkotter VFW Post 6625, 112 St. Rt. 119, Fort Recovery, at 10:00 am. Refreshments will be served afterwards. The public is invited to attend the ceremony.
