Timothy Loux

Vietnam Veteran lost both legs in mine explosion.

By Bob Staranowicz, Correspondent


“I was a bit embarrassed when I was taken to the hospital after my encounter with a Claymore mine. I didn’t have my dog tags on but was able to give my Social Security number to the hospital staff even though I was pretty doped up.”

A Claymore is a directional anti-personnel mine used by the U.S. military. Unfortunately for Tim, this one was probably bought by the Viet Cong on the black market. This device fires shrapnel, in the form of steel balls, out to about 100 meters across a 60-degree arc to the front of it. It is used primarily in ambushes and as an anti-infiltration device against enemy infantry. Because of that encounter with a Claymore mine, Timothy Loux, formerly of Dublin, is a double amputee.

Tim was born in Trenton, but grew up in Dublin Borough. The oldest of three children, he attended Pennridge High School, and Bucks County Community College where he received an associates degree in computer technology. Tim had trouble finding a job as a programmer, so he transferred to Delaware Valley College and changed his major to business administration. Unfortunately, this change in his major caused Tim to lose his student deferment and he was later drafted in August of 1970.

After basic training at Fort Dix, he was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana for Advanced Infantry Training. Luckily, Tim’s commanding officer was able to move a few men into Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) training at Fort Knox. This was supposed to prolong his stateside service and keep him out of Vietnam a bit longer, but after three weeks of training, he was off to Vietnam in January of 1971.

Tim arrived in Long Bihn, a popular entrance point for many new arrivals, and was assigned to the 11th Infantry of the 5th Division Mechanized. Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs), or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat. He then joined his permanent squad a few weeks later in Khe Sahn.

“We performed numerous search-and-destroy missions in the area, but had little contact with the enemy. But, one night we were hit by a barrage of mortars and lost one of our mortar guns. Luckily, no one was injured in that attack,” Tim recalled.

Tim also had a close call with “friendly-fire” mortar rounds called in by his lieutenant to take out an enemy position dropped right in front of his perimeter.

Walking point was the worst duty you could have in Vietnam. A point man assumes the first and most exposed position in a combat military formation and is frequently the first to take hostile fire. On this mission, Tim was “volunteered” to walk point since the regular point man was heading home soon. It was an extremely hot day and the squad had stopped for lunch. The squad had a trained dog to sniff out mines but due to the extreme heat, the handler did not feel the dog could accurately predict in the situation.

Approaching the wooded area, the squad came upon a tank trail with many small footprints in the sand. Tim left the trail and had to walk through high grass for about 100 yards.

“It was quite unsettling,” Tim recalled. “I felt a blast to my right and found myself lying on my back.” Tim tried to get up but could not. “I could not use my legs even though I noticed that my boots were still intact.” Tim remained there in the intense heat until the medevac chopper arrived. Helicopters in Vietnam were, for the most part, the difference between living and dying for the many wounded who were rescued from the field.

Tim feels lucky that he was close to that Claymore when it ignited because if he were farther away, he may have been injured more seriously or even killed, since the Claymore wasn’t able to spread its shrapnel to its intended further range. So, being at close range, his life was spared.

Tim had both legs amputated below the knee and after spending a few days in a hospital in Quang Tri in the northern part of South Vietnam he was moved to Japan. It was there where a fellow Christian soldier, Wayne Moore, who was the radio man from his platoon, came to visit him.

Tim was sent home to the Valley Forge General Hospital where he was able to see his family. He spent 11 months recuperating and attributes his faith in God and strong supportive family in assisting his recovery.

Tim now lives in Morris, Pa., with his wife of 33 years. They have three children, Megan, Matthew and Nathan, and two grandchildren. Tim recently worked as a controller for Harley Davidson. He enjoys fishing and hunting and both he and his wife are NASCAR fans.

Tim recently returned to the area to speak at Veterans Day ceremonies at Plumstead Christian School where he told his story and displayed the courage and faith that has guided him through life since his tragic accident in Vietnam.