Vietnam War
| Unit | 5th Special Forces Group |
|---|---|
| Rank | Captain U.S. Army |
| Entered Service From | Independence California |
| Date of Death | November 15 1968 |
| Status | Missing In Action |
| Memorialized |
Courts of the Missing
Court
B
Honolulu Memorial |
With only three extraction rigs, Captain Birchim insured three of his men were attached and he held on to the back of one. After about 30 minuted he lost his grip and fell to his death. His remains were not recovered. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
Notes
Captain Birchim was a member of the 5th Special Forces Group. On November 15, 1968, he was the leader of a long range reconnaissance patrol in Laos, when he was wounded and requested the patrol be extracted.