Harrison Memorial Monument: Vietnam War

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May each year. Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in military service. It was formerly known as Decoration Day, and it was first officially observed in 1868. Memorial services were being held all over the country before that, but it was not until after the Civil War that Memorial Day became an official holiday.

The Harrison Post 282 American Legion and the Sergeant William Sawelson VFW Post 340 held the Harrison Memorial Day Tribute on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the Veterans Plaza in Franklin D. Roosevelt Park, also known as the Library Park located at 10 South Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. in the middle of Harrison’s business district.

One of the three monuments in Harrison’s Veterans Plaza honors the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the Vietnam War monument.   Those soldiers are honored with the following inscription on the monument,

In Honor of Those Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam War, Joseph P. Mobus, Donald B. Scott, David Robertson.

Joseph P. Mobus

Joseph P. Mobus was in 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, C Company.

During his service in the Vietnam War, Joseph P. Mobus was Killed in Action on August 19, 1969 at the age of 21 in combat in South Vietnam, Binh Long province. 

Joseph P. Mobus was recipient of Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Donald B. Scott

Donald B. Scott was a machine gunner in the 1^st Marine Division, 3^rd Battalion, 5^th Marines, L Company.

During his service in the Vietnam War, Marine Corps Lance Corporal Scott was Killed in Action on August 2, 1968, at the age of 19 in combat in South Vietnam, Quang Nam province.

Donald B. Scott was a recipient of Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.

David Robertson

David Robertson was a 4th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry, C Company.

During his service in the Vietnam War, Army Sergeant Robertson was Killed in Action on June 27, 1968, at the age of 23 in combat in South Vietnam, Thua Thien province.

Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Army Good Conduct Medal.

Renaming of Hill Street in Harrison NJ

In 2013, the late Harrison Mayor Raymond McDonough and then Council renamed Hill Street in Harrison NJ to Scott Mobus Place in memory of Donald B. Scott and Joseph P. Mobus.   The late Councilman and Marine Victor Villalta urged the Harrison Board of Education to place a commemorative plaque with a photo of fellow Marine Donald Scott be installed at the Harrison High School entryway commemorating his sports achievements while at Harrison High School and his service to the United States of America.

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