A Toledo serviceman was killed Sunday near an airbase in South Vietnam when the weapon of another soldier accidentally discharged. 

Army Pfc. John L. Erford, 20, of 1527 Glenbrook Dr. was killed near Quan Loi, a base about seven miles from the Cambodian border, where he was stationed with the First Airborne Cavalry Division.

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Erford, Sr., were informed of their son's death Tuesday by officers attached to the University of Toledo ROTC unit.

Private Erford had been in Vietnam since January. He received the Purple Heart in April for shrapnel wounds suffered in fighting near Saigon, and had spent two months recovering before returning to action.

A lifelong Toledo resident, Private Erford was a 1967 graduate of Bowsher High School. He worked at the Kroger food store in the Southland Shopping Center before enlisting on April 18, 1968.

Also surviving are his brother Jeffrey, sisters Carol, Colette, Mary, Margaret, and Julie, all at home, and grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Edward Eicher of Lyons, Ohio.

The body will be returned to the Coyle Mortuary, Broadway.

Published in the Toledo Blade September 10, 1969

https://www.goldstarfamilyregistry.com/heroes/JOHN-ERFORD-52907