South Carolina II

In Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, near Charleston, is one of the largest and most interesting sights I have visited. It is the home of the air craft carrier the U.S.S. Yorktown, a submarine, and other ships, a Medal Of honor Museum and other sights I will tell you more about in a later post. Today, I want to show you the memorial to the 161 from South Carolina's 1st Congressional District who are honored here.

The memorial could hardly be more simple. Four stones, reminiscent of grave markers, that dedicate the site and list all of the names. Surrounded by some field stones it rests just at the entrance to the larger park area. In fact, if you were not paying attention, you might just miss it.

 

In addition to this one to the 161, I found a couple of others throughout the park. The first is dedicated to those lost in Vietnam, who were members of a group called The Seawolves. The Seawolves were an Attack Helicopter Squadron and 44 of their pilots and door gunners were lost.

 

The final one that I saw was to a Medal of Honor awardee. Major Patrick Henry Brady, on one particular day in Vietnam, went through three choppers in fog shrouded areas to rescue 51 seriously injured soldiers. The three choppers were all seriously damaged but he managed to get those guys out.

Next time, on March 1st, I will show you a sight you can only see in South Carolina. At Patriots Point they have constructed a Navy Advanced Technical Support Base, the only one of its kind. I think it is easy, sometimes, to forget that not only the Marines and the Army fought valiantly in 'Nam. This Support Base brings that all home. So, join me at 9:00am on the 1st to take a step back into history.

To see other memorials from South Carolina, or any state, click the state name on the left side of this page.