Memorial Tile Biography
Meredith E. Chance, ARMY
Meredith Eastman "Ed" Chance, known as "Butch" to friends and family, was raised in New Providence, Iowa, where his family operated a gas station and a Local caf6 on Main Street. He graduated from New Providence High School in 1961 in a class of 18 students before attending Ellsworth Junior College, where he played basketball and earned an associate's degree in 1963. After completing his business degree at the University of Northern Iowa, Ed worked for three years as a high school business teacher in Sigourney, Iowa.
In April 1969, near the end of his third year of teaching and just days before his 26th birthday, Ed received his draft notice from the United States Army. His school requested a brief postponement so he could finish the academic year. Ed reported to the Fort Des Moines Induction Center on June 12,1969 and was assigned to the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
At Fort Polk, Ed completed eight weeks of Basic Combat Training, followed by nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as a Light Weapons Infantryman (MOS 118). His preparation included rigorous tactical exercises in Tiger Land, a simulated jungle environment designed to replicate Vietnam combat conditions.
Following a 23-day leave, Ed deployed to Vietnam in November 1969, flying to Cam Ranh Bay. He was assigned to Company D, 3rd Battalion,1 st Infantry Regiment,llth Infantry Brigade of the 23rd (Americal) Division at Fire Support Base 4-11 in Quang Ngai Province. At 26, Ed was among the oldest men in his company. Early in his deployment, before Christmas 1969, while preparing to return fire during an enemy attack, an improperly dropped mortar round permanently damaged the hearing in his left ear. This injury led to a temporary duty assignment as a clerk-typist and a permanent relocation to the support base at Due Pho.
During his service, Ed was promoted to sergeant in August 1970. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations, along with the Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. After taking R&R in Sydney, Australia, in October, Ed completed his tour with a DEROS date of December 15,1970. He returned home to Iowa in time for Christmas and was honorably discharged.
Following his military service, Ed married Emma Jenkins in October 1973 and together they built a successful business as Certified Public Accountants in Council Bluffs, Iowa. For 50 years, they have supported the Iowa Hawkeyes with football season tickets. Go Hawks!
In April 1969, near the end of his third year of teaching and just days before his 26th birthday, Ed received his draft notice from the United States Army. His school requested a brief postponement so he could finish the academic year. Ed reported to the Fort Des Moines Induction Center on June 12,1969 and was assigned to the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
At Fort Polk, Ed completed eight weeks of Basic Combat Training, followed by nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) as a Light Weapons Infantryman (MOS 118). His preparation included rigorous tactical exercises in Tiger Land, a simulated jungle environment designed to replicate Vietnam combat conditions.
Following a 23-day leave, Ed deployed to Vietnam in November 1969, flying to Cam Ranh Bay. He was assigned to Company D, 3rd Battalion,1 st Infantry Regiment,llth Infantry Brigade of the 23rd (Americal) Division at Fire Support Base 4-11 in Quang Ngai Province. At 26, Ed was among the oldest men in his company. Early in his deployment, before Christmas 1969, while preparing to return fire during an enemy attack, an improperly dropped mortar round permanently damaged the hearing in his left ear. This injury led to a temporary duty assignment as a clerk-typist and a permanent relocation to the support base at Due Pho.
During his service, Ed was promoted to sergeant in August 1970. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations, along with the Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. After taking R&R in Sydney, Australia, in October, Ed completed his tour with a DEROS date of December 15,1970. He returned home to Iowa in time for Christmas and was honorably discharged.
Following his military service, Ed married Emma Jenkins in October 1973 and together they built a successful business as Certified Public Accountants in Council Bluffs, Iowa. For 50 years, they have supported the Iowa Hawkeyes with football season tickets. Go Hawks!