Bob Cottrell

Bob Cottrell entered the army as a draftee in July of 1967 from his hometown of Irvington while teaching at Kinnelon High School in north New Jersey. He did his Basic training at Ft. Dix and Advanced Individual Training at the Military Police School, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Shipped to the Republic of South Vietnam in December of 1967, Bob served in I Corp with the 23MP Company, Americal Division in Chu Lai, returning stateside the following December. He served the remainder of his two year military obligation at First Army Headquarters, Fortress Monroe, Hampton, Virginia.

Once back in civilian clothes, Bob returned to his former occupation as an Industrial Arts/ Technical Education teacher, this time at Marlboro High school where he spent the next 37 years teaching and coaching Cross-Country, Track and field, and Winter Track. He retired in 2006.

Bob lives with his wife Pat in the house he built in western Monmouth County. They have two married children and four grandkids. Besides volunteering at this Memorial, Bob is a member of the VFW and the 23rd MP Chapter of the ADVA. He is also an active NJSIAA Track and Field official in the shore area.

He made a return trip to Vietnam in 2004.