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Ed Lindemann, '67, R.I.P.
Ed was a warm friend to many of us since 1960 and earlier.

 

OBITUARY
: Edward Lindemann, 56; highly decorated for heroism in Vietnam

 

By Jack Williams
, STAFF WRITER

July 21, 2005, Union-Tribune San Diego

Edward Lindemann's first instinct was to sacrifice his life.

To save his comrades, he pounced on a grenade shortly after it landed near his feet during a reconnaissance mission in Vietnam.

Although the grenade failed to detonate, his action 38 years ago earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest Army decoration for extraordinary heroism.

Mr. Lindemann, who went on to pursue a civilian career in finance, died Sunday at his home in Rancho Bernardo. He was 56.

The cause of death was complications from gastric cancer, which was diagnosed in October 2001, said his wife, Leonor Mercedes Lindemann.

The day after falling on the grenade, Mr. Lindemann was wounded by a B-40 rocket while treating injured troops as a medical aide southeast of An Khe.

Despite his injuries, he continued to treat his comrades until falling unconscious.

Those efforts earned him a Bronze Star. His wounds, in the leg and buttocks, forced him to leave the military with an honorable discharge, his wife said.

"They thought he would never be able to walk," she said. "He was in a wheelchair and on crutches for a long time. He began his civilian career on crutches."

During three years of active duty, Mr. Lindemann's decorations included three Purple Hearts. His Distinguished Service Cross led to his admission into the Legion of Valor, an exclusive group that dates to April 23, 1890.

"He wanted to be a medical doctor, which is why he became a medic in the Army," his wife said, "but so many people died in his arms, he knew he couldn't take it. It was too hard."

Edward John Lindemann was born Jan. 8, 1949, in Bremen, Germany, to a U.S. Navy man and his German wife.

After graduating from Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, he joined the Army. He underwent jump-school training in North Carolina and was admitted into special forces and designated a Green Beret.

Attached to Company C, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Mr. Lindemann was involved in several long-range reconnaissance missions behind enemy lines.

Once, he was wounded by shrapnel in the chin and shoulder. Another time, he took a bullet in the foot near his ankle.

After his discharge, Mr. Lindemann returned to Orange County and attended Fullerton College, where he majored in business. He began his civilian career with Household Finance in Fullerton.

In 1992, he moved to San Diego to work in auto leasing. In 2000, he joined the auto leasing division of Citigroup Inc.

Mr. Lindemann survived a heart attack in 2000 and returned to work, turning down an opportunity with Bank One in Phoenix to avoid disrupting his children's education in San Diego.

A year later, he was forced to go on disability because of his cancer. He underwent surgery for an intestinal blockage in December. The blockage forced him to be fed intravenously and his health steadily declined, his wife said.

Survivors include his wife; sons, Gabriel Lindemann of Pacific Beach and David Lindemann of Anchorage, Alaska; parents, John and Elfie Lindemann of Fullerton; and sister, Peggy Clifton of Lakeside.

A Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. today at San Rafael Catholic Parish, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside.

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Paul Saevig, '67 on July 25, 2012 at 10:04 AM said:

Ed had a great silly smile when he was happy, when he was goofing around with his buddies. He had a wonderful love of life.
Mike Davinroy, '64 on July 25, 2012 at 9:17 AM said:

When Ed’s family moved here, we rented them our house at 321 Diana Pl. for a few years. Ed came from such a wonderful family. I used to love hearing Ed’s mom tell stories about when she grew up, and was spellbound when she talked about the fire bombings in her city during WWII.
Jeff Nix, '67 on July 24, 2012 at 7:52 PM said:

I knew Ed well. Always in a good mood. Always a smile on his face. A genuinely nice guy. I remember when he went into the Army. He was PROUD of being in the service. RIP, Ed.

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LINDEMANN, EDWARD W.
Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army
Company C, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Infantry Division
Date of Action: April 26, 1970
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edward W. Lindemann, Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Company C, 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Specialist Four Lindeman distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 26 April 1970 while serving as a medical aidman on a long range reconnaissance patrol operating deep within enemy controlled territory. Shortly after initiating contact with a hostile force of unknown size, an enemy hand grenade landed next to Specialist Lindemann. Without hesitation, the specialist warned his nearby comrades and threw himself on the grenade to shield his companions. Although the grenade did not detonate, he remained on top of it until all his companions reached safety. He then gently lifted himself from the device and continued his mission. Specialist Four Lindemann's extraordinary heroism 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.
General Orders: HQ US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 4197 (1970)