Honoring Our Sons on Veterans Day 2012: Louis Ellie Gau

By Alexander Atkins
Editor and Designer of Our Town

Private First Class Louis Gau was born in 1945. At the age of 23, Gau joined the army in early 1968; he served as a Private First Class in B Company, First Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, U.S. Army.

Three days after deployment to Vietnam, Gau was killed in action, along with three other men.

According to family friends, Gau’s family never really recovered from the loss of their dear son.

Gau’s name is inscribed in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. that honors the men and women of the armed forces of the United States who served in the war and sacrificed their lives. Gau is also remembered on the Virtual Wall.

One classmate wrote:

“Louie, you made the ultimate sacrifice defending Freedom. I regret that you didn’t have a chance at life; to marry, to experience the joy of holding your child, to grow comfortably old in years and wisdom. I will always remember your friendship and generosity and your willingness to share them. You were too good a friend not to be remembered.”

You can read about the other sons of Los Altos Hills: Larry Mullen, William Sigua, and Matthew Manoukian in the Veterans Day tribute produced in Our Town.

[Editor's Note: On this day, and all others, you can leave a remembrance to Louis Gau on the The Wall-USA, a searchable website maintained by the 4th Battalion 9th Infantry Regiment]

Our Town is a newsletter serving residents of the Town of Los Altos Hills, edited and designed by Alexander Atkins. This excerpt from the latest edition was reprinted with permission.