Texas XXIII

Texas has the distinction of being the state that gave the third highest number of her sons and daughters lost in Vietnam (following California and New York,)

I have posted 22 previous times from Texas and, today, want to highlight and honor a few of her lost.

Texarkana Vietnam/Korea Memorial. You can read more about this multi-state memorial here.

Oddie C. Hailey

Sgt. Oddie Hailey was lost on June 23, 1967, in the Quang Ngai Province. However, there are conflicting reports about his death. VVMF calls his loss a "misadventure" which apparently is an euphemism for "friendly fire." Also stated is "mistaken for Viet Cong... shot" and other sites say killed by "multiple fragmentation wounds..." in "hostile action..."  

Howard Lee Elder

Sgt Howard Elder was lost to "small arms fire" in a "hostile" action in the Binh Dinh Province. He gave his all on July 8, 1970. Again, the lack of information is simply appalling.

Wayne Lee Harland

Sgt. Wayne Harland served his tour in 'Nam and decided to extend for an additional 6 months (I didn't know you could do that.) He was lost halfway through his extension. He was lost to "hostile'' "explosive device'' on May 1, 1968, at Binh Dinh.

Next time on June 12th, we will return to Utah, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen ( now two) from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

Tennessee XI

The memorials at the Coffee County Courthouse honor those from many of our engagements. The following names were taken from the Vietnam memorial.

Richard Bradley

In a firefight that lasted approximately one minute eight Americans were wounded and PFC Bradley was killed. He was lost on June 19,1966, in the Thua Thien Province.

Hermann Ray Fletcher

In contrast to the above, Hermann Ray Fletcher was killed at Go Cong in a battle the cost us 19 heroes lost and 50 additional wounded. The battle lasted nearly 11 hours. PFC Fletcher and his 18 comrades were lost on January 10, 1968.

Kenneth Lee Kirkes

2LT Kenneth Kirkes was lost on February 9,1968, in the Quang Nam Province to "small arms fire...." Nothing else seems to be available.

Next time on Jun 7th, we will return to Texas, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen ( now two) from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

South Dakota XXV

As I wondered around South Dakota with no particular itinerary, as I have mentioned before, I ran across several memorials in some of the towns.

Howard was one of them and you can see one of the early posts from there, here.

Marlin Joseph Callies

LCPL Marlin Callie was a Rifleman with the Marines in the Quang Tri Province. On July 7, 1968, he died of wounds received from "other explosive device..." in an attack on his defensive position.

Tommy Leon Callies

Capt. Tommy Leon Callies was the pilot of a Phantom jet shot down over the Quang Ngai Province during a bombing run. His body has never been retrieved south of Quang Ngai city..

These two men Captain and Corporal from the same town of Howard were related. Even though their ages were quite close they were 1st cousins once removed. What strikes me is that these two were from a town of around 1,000 residents. I have only found three from Howard that were lost.

Roger W. Kvernes

LTC Roger Kvernes was killed in a helicopter crash at Bac Lieu on February 2, 1970.

Next time on Jun 2nd, we will return to Tennessee, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen ( now two) from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

South Carolina IX

We have visited Patriots Point, near Charleston, in the past and today I want to feature names from the 896 (I have, also seen 980 from other sources) dog tags on display at this really outstanding site.

All of these names are from York, South Carolina:

Jonny Phillip Costner

SGT Jonny Costner was lost in Ninh Thuan Province "non-hostile...other causes..." on November 10, 1970. Sadly, it was reported that he took his own life.

This is the best photo I could find

On March13th 1971 SP4 Robert Good was lost in the Binh Dinh Province reports disagree about the cause of his death. Some sources report "accidental homicide" while others say, "intentional homicide...."

Abraham Harris

PVT Abraham Harris was lost at Long An on October 13, 1967, to "multiple fragmentation wounds..."

It is interesting and a little disturbing to learn that of the three soldiers lost from York, South Carolina that one was murdered and one committed suicide.

I repeatedly whine about the lack of information about our lost soldiers, but the lack of good pictures is another issue. I recall that we were all taken, during basic, to have portraits taken. Was this only at Ft. Bragg? I assumed that it was done everywhere, perhaps not. Please comment if you did or did not have a photo taken.

Next time on May 28th, we will return to South Dakota, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen ( now two) from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

Rhode Island XIV

 The Rhode Islande Vietnam memorial at Exeter honors all and is featured here in greater detail.

Today, as is becoming an ongoing project, I will honor a few of the lost from the state.

John Dutra Andrade

SP4 John Andrade was killed by "hostile... other explosive...." on November 2, 1966, in the Tay Ninh Province. Sadly, this all that I could find.

Lawrence Renaldo Lopes

PFC Lawrence Lopes was lost om March 27, 1968, at Thua Thien. He was the victim of "multiple fragmentation wounds..."

Daniel Robert Dye

1LT Daniel Dye was assigned to unit in the Phuoc Tuy Provine. His unit engaged a VC group that vastly outnumbered his. Under heavy small arms and rocket fire he continued to vigorously encourage his group of soldiers until he was mortally wounded. He was lost October 12, 1968, and is interred in Rhode Island

Next time on May 23rd, we will return to South Carolina so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

Pennsylvania XXXIV

 I posted about the relatively new memorial at Gettysburg College a while back, you can see that here.

Today, I would like to honor a few of them.

Ronald F. Thomson

Capt. Ronald Thomson did not die in Vietnam, but I think he deserves a mention here. Like all the others on this memorial plaque, he graduated from Gettysburg College. In 1960 he enlisted in the Marine Corps and actually returned from Vietnam after his tour. He became a member of the renowned Blue Angels. He was killed in a plane crash his first week with the Angels. He was originally from Hempstead, Maryland where he is buried. He died on February 2, 1967.

Edgar Brower Burchill III

CPL Edgar Burchill was on patrol in the Quang Nam Province when someone tripped a booby trap. Several were wounded and CPL Burchill and another soldier were lost. He was originally from New York and was lost on June 4, 1966.

Joseph Patrick Murphy

CAPT Murphy and his co-pilot were lost on March 24, 1967, after taking off from their aircraft carrier 36 miles from Vietnam. Both bodies were recovered; he was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross. He was originally from Long Beach, California and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery

Next time on May 18th, we will return to Rhode Island, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

Oregon XXXIII

Once more I return to this great Veterans Park in Albany, Oregon. It is called the Timber-Linn Memorial Park and honors those from our 20th Century wars.

 

This rustic looking memorial to those lost in 'Nam is one of two listing the same names, although in different order. There is no explanation as to why there are two.

Today, I will highlight a few of the heroes honored here.

Rollie Lee bolden

SP4 Rollie Bolden was lost at the infamous La Drang Valley along with 151 of his fellow soldiers. He gave all on November 17, 1965, he was lost to "Small arms fire..."

Daniel F. Debotts

PSGT Daniel Debotts (I have, also, see Debottis) was among several lost to an early morning VC attack on the base camp at Quan Loi in the Binh Long Province. He was lost on July 11th, 1967.

Wright Bartwyn Hamill

PFC Wright Hamill was another lost in the La Drang fighting. He was awarded the bronze star for "gallantry in action..." I couldn't find additional information, but he was lost to "small arms fire..." on November4, 1965/

Next time on May 13th, we will return to Pennsylvania, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

Oklahoma XI

Kay County, Oklahoma's War Memorial is located on Main Street in Newkirk. It honors many from various wars including Vietnam.

Today, a few of our brothers:

Donald S. Allen III

SSG Donald Allen III was lost in a firefight on December 21, 1967, near Bien Hoa. He was among four lost and 15 wounded repelling a Viet Cong attack. He enlisted at 17 to follow in his Father's footsteps. His Father served in Vietnam.

James Johnson jr.

LCPL James Johnson was lost on May 11, 1967, in the Quang Tri Province. He was lost in "Hostile action... to Small Arms fire" or "Rocket, mortar, artillery" depending upon what source you read. VVMF says "Rocket, mortar, Artillery..."

Clarence Leon Rouse

SGT. Clarence Rouse was in the Dinh Toung Province when he was lost to "Hostile action...Small arms fire." I read on a site that Sgt Rouse had been awarded The Bronze Star, but have been unable to verify this

As I have lamented, so many times, it breaks my heart to be able to learn and share so little information about the brave men and women, heroes all, who gave their lives for our efforts in Vietnam.

Next time on May 8th, we will return to Oregon, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

Ohio XII

Once again, I am running behind. My apologies.

Stark County Ohio has a memorial to many lost. The memorial, as previously posted, stands in Massillon near the City Hall.

Today, as is becoming my habit, we will honor three from Stark County.

Robert A. Ater

PFC Robert Ater was a passenger on a chopper going to LZ North English. The chopper was seen flying very low and the boom hit the ground causing the craft to crash. All, except one, were lost on August 12, 1970, near Binh Dinh.

Clayton Henry Byers

LCPL Clayton Henry Byers was lost May 24, 1967, just a few days before his 19th birthday, at Quang Nam Province to hostile fire/explosive device.

George K. Galloway

SGT George K. Galloway died of a fatal heart attack on November 17, 1968. He was 50 years old and was known as "Pops" to his men as he took such good care of them. He was lost at Quang Tri Province on the exact same day as his brother died of a heart attack in Ohio. Neither brother knew the other has died. Stranger than fiction.

Next time on May 3rd, we will return to Oklahoma, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

North Dakota VII

So, it turns out that I am about 12 hours behind schedule today. At least I'm in on the right day. Better than far too often.

In keeping with my current efforts, today, I am going to share a little information about a few of the heroes from North Dakota. I have not spent too much time there but that does not diminish, in any way, the heroism of their efforts or the honor they deserve.

North Dakota Veterans Memorial

The memorial here as a unique feature which you can check out in my original posting, It is worth the effort as it is the only such element I have found in my travels.

Among the many listed and honored here are the following:

Roger D. Alberts

PFC Alberts was lost at Gia Dinh on February 2, 1968. His COD is listed as "Hostile fire...small arms fire...." He Is one of the first Native American I can remember having written about here. this gives an opportunity to remind all who might see this that no other group in America volunteers for service in greater percentages than Native Americans.

Thomas E. Alderson

Capt. Thomas Alderson was a passenger on a helicopter when it collided with a cargo plane. All aboard each were lost. This tragic event happened on October 3, 1968, in Thua Thien Province.

Dale H. Amundson

PFC Dale Amundson was lost in Quang Tin in a non-hostile drowning incident. He gave his life on October 30, 1968.

It has been a while since I have complained about the lack of information about the men and women who gave their all and their lives for their country, but such is the case. I think it is despicable.

Next time on April 28th, we will return to Ohio, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

North Carolina XL

 Graham, North Carolina is the home of this memorial to the many who served in our nation's conflicts.

The section honoring our brothers and sister contains 42 names. 

Today, we honor these.

Kemper S. Billings

BM1 Kemper Billings was lost overboard while in high surf on the Hue River. His body was found days later washed up on a beach. He was lost on October 20, 1966, in the Thua Thien Province.

Dennis C. Boone

SP4 Dennis Boone was an infantryman who was lost on September 2, 1968, at Hua Nghia Province to "Artillery, Rocket, Mortar" explosion. I note that his name is spelled Denis on the memorial in Graham.

William Bray

2LT William Bray led his men up a hillside under heavy fire. He took out a number of enemy combatants before being mortally wounded himself. Oddly, I think, several days later some of his men engaged a different group of NVA soldiers, killing several. They found on one of them Bray's weapon which had disappeared in the previous battle. He was lost on November 6, 1967, in the Quang Tin Province. He was awarded a Silver Star for his actions.

Next time on April 23rd, we will return to North Dakota, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

New York XXXIII

This small, local memorial in Port Jervis, New York honors ten from the area including two who were MIAs.

Today, a few of them.

Peter Paul Bohnwagner

SGT Peter Bohnwagner was lost October 26, 1970, at Lam Dong to small arms fire.

Thomas J. Case

PFC Thomas Case was lost on May 9, 1967, to an "explosive device" at Quang Nam.

Peter H. Garms

PFC Peter Garms was born in Port Jervis but grew up in Pennsylvania. He was lost 5 days after arriving in 'Nam in a training accident with a hand grenade. He was destined to be a clerk. Tragic: as were all the losses.

Next time on 18th, we will return to North Carolina, so join me there, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

New Mexico XXXIII

New Mexico, as you may know, is one of my favorite places. 

I have featured this memorial previously and today I am going to highlight and honor a few of the names remembered here.

The memorial is located in front of the Luna Mimbres Museum in Deming, New Mexico.

There are no names listed on this memorial but below are three of the heroes from the area lost in 'Nam.

Steve Duran

HN Steve Duran was a Nave Hospitalman who was lost in the Quang Tin Province on February 3, 1966. He was lost to "other explosive device...."

Clovis L. May

SGT Clovis L. May was lost at Quang Tin Province on May 22, 1969. He was lost to "rocket, mortar fire..."

Jimmy F. Nabours

WO Jimmy Nabours survived a helicopter crash but later died from his injuries. He was lost on June 30, 1970, in Cambodia.

Next time on 13th, we will return to New York, so join me there, as always, at 9 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam, and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. 

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.