Maine XXIV

 

Maine Vietnam Memorial, Augusta.

Today, a few from Maine.

Dennis Owen Crocker

PFC Dennis Crocker was lost in the Quang Tin Province on August16, 1968, to "Non-hostile ground fire." Elsewhere, his loss is attributed to "Accidental homicide." Not sure exactly how much ground that covers, but I could find no other information.

Wayne Clifton Cyr

SSG Wayne Cyn was lost on May 7, 1968, to " hostile.... ground fire...other explosive device." He was serving in the Quang Nam Province.

Merwin Alexander Delano III

PCT Merwin Delano was lost om March 17, 1966, to "hostile action... multiple fragmentation wounds." He was serving in the Quang Tri Province and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. He was 18 years old.

All of these heroes were from Bath, Maine where, interestingly, many of our war ships are built.

Next time, on October 20th, join me in Maryland. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

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

Maine XXIII

 In the Statehouse in Augusta there are a couple of memorial plaques that reference Vietnam. 

There are only three names singled out for additional recognition. 

They all were recipients of the Medal of Honor.

Today, I honor them here.

Brian Buker

Sgt Buker was lost on April 5, 1970. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Medal of Honor award citation:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Sergeant Brian Leroy Buker), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Detachment B-55, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 5 April 1970. Sergeant Buker distinguished himself while serving as a platoon adviser of a Vietnamese mobile strike force company during an offensive mission. Sergeant Buker personally led the platoon, cleared a strategically located well-guarded pass, and established the first foothold at the top of what had been an impenetrable mountain fortress. When the platoon came under the intense fire from a determined enemy located in two heavily fortified bunkers, and realizing that withdrawal would result in heavy casualties, Sergeant Buker unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, charged through the hail of enemy fire and destroyed the first bunker with hand grenades. While reorganizing his men for the attack on the second bunker, Sergeant Buker was seriously wounded. Despite his wounds and the deadly enemy fire, he crawled forward and destroyed the second bunker. Sergeant Buker refused medical attention and was reorganizing his men to continue the attack when he was mortally wounded. As a direct result of his heroic actions, many casualties were averted, and the assault of the enemy position was successful. Sergeant Buker's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

Nothing I can say to this or any of the following is necessary.  

Thomas Joseph McMahon

Medal of Honor Citation

Thomas Joseph McMahon

DATE OF BIRTH: June 24, 1948
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Washington, D. C.
HOME OF RECORD:
Portland, Maine

Medal of Honor
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Army
Battalion: 2d Battalion
Division: Americal Division
GENERAL ORDERS:
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 46 (August 28, 1970)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Specialist Fourth Class Thomas Joseph McMahon (ASN: 52895360), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Aid Man with Company A, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 18 March 1969. When the lead elements of his company came under heavy fire from well-fortified enemy positions, three soldiers fell seriously wounded. Specialist Fourth 

Class McMahon, with complete disregard for his safety, left his covered position and ran through intense enemy fire to the side of one of the wounded, administered first aid and then carried him to safety. He returned through the hail of fire to the side of a second wounded man. Although painfully wounded by an exploding mortar round while returning the wounded man to a secure position, Specialist Fourth Class McMahon refused medical attention and heroically ran back through the heavy enemy fire toward his remaining wounded comrade. He fell mortally wounded before he could rescue the last man. Specialist Fourth Class McMahon's undaunted concern for the welfare of his comrades at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

Donald Skidgel

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life

above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant Skidgel distinguished
himself while serving as a reconnaissance section leader in Troop D. On a road near Song Be in Binh Long Province, Sergeant Skidgel and his

section with other elements of his troop were acting as a convoy security and screening force when contact occurred with an estimated enemy battalion concealed in tall grass and in bunkers bordering the road.

Sergeant Skidgel maneuvered off the road and began placing effective
machine - gun fire on the enemy automatic weapons and rocket - propelled grenade positions. After silencing at least one position, he ran with his machine - gun across 60 meters of bullet swept ground to another
location from which he continued to rake the enemy positions. Running
low on ammunition, he returned to his vehicle over the same terrain.
Moments later he was alerted that the command element was receiving
intense automatic weapons, rocket - propelled grenade and mortar fire.
Although he knew the road was saturated with enemy fire, Sergeant
Skidgel calmly mounted his vehicle and with his driver advanced toward

Update: Don't know what happened to the end of this post. I am having crazy issues with the software.

Comeback on the 26th to see a new post from Maryland. Hopefully issues will be resolved by then!
the command group in an effort to draw the enemy fire upon himself.
Despite the hostile fire concentrated on him, he succeeded in silencing
several enemy positions with his machine - gun. Moments later Sergeant
Skidgel was knocked down onto the rear fender by the explosion of an
enemy rocket - propelled grenade. Ignoring his extremely painful wounds, he staggered back to his feet and placed effective fire on several other enemy positions until he was mortally wounded by hostile small arms fire.
His selfless actions enabled the command group to withdraw to a better
position without casualties and inspired the rest of his fellow soldiers to

gain fire superiority and defeat the enemy. Sergeant Skidgel's gallantry at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the

United States Army.

Next time on the 27th, we will return to Maryland to honor a few of her heroes. These will post, as usual, at 9:00 am. 

As mentioned above, 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.

Maine XXII

Recently I had a brief stop over in Portland Maine. I had read that there was a memorial at the City Hall on Congress Street, so I went to check it out.

It turns out that it is a dual memorial to both Korea and Vietnam. It is one of several plaques outside the building so access was easy.

It lists the names of 51 from Portland lost in the wars. There is no designation as to which wars these heroes were lost fighting. Simply names, but, perhaps that is enough.

A little research at VVMF's Wall of Faces told me that 25 of the names here were lost in 'Nam.

Next time, on the 27th, we will revisit Maryland, so meet me there, as always, at 9:00 am.

To see additional memorials from Maine, or any other state, please click the state name on the left side of this page.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served 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.

Maine XXI

While wandering through Maine, as is so often the case, I came upon a memorial I had been unaware of. Located in Carroll, this one is a little different as it only identifies those who served and/or were lost in Korea and Vietnam.

At first glance I was shocked to see a couple names repeated. I mistakenly assumed these were lost, but further inspection only indicated that they served.

In fact, only one has a n asterisk next to his name. there is no key, but one must assume he was lost. R.I.P..

Next time, on the 23rd, we will take another look at Maryland, so meet me there at 9:00am.

To see additional memorials from Maine, or any other state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page.

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks.

Maine XX

While perusing various photos I once again reminded that the service of women, our sisters, is often overlooked, but when I came to some pics from the Capitol building in Maine, I noticed that there was a memorial on the wall to women who served throughout our history.

These following pics are taken from a larger memorial on the wall and they are not identified specifically but they demonstrate the service of women.

When I was in 'Nam, women service members were few and far between. I did see a few when I was in the hospital and a few (perhaps the same ones,) when I could get to a fairly secure beach area half an hour away from our base. They were all Officers, of course, so any interaction was extremely limited.

But, women served in some way or another in all of our entanglements. I have written before about the fact that my former mother in law was a Women's Army Service Pilot during WWII and these pics just remind us that we were not alone.

And, of course one of our own from 'Nam from a statue in Bangor.

Women will continue to serve (as they always have) and we will continue to benefit from their courage, commitment, and dedication to duty.

Next time, on the 20th, I will begin my tradition of posting some pics of "other things" as I always do during the holiday season, so check back on the 20th, as always at 9:00am., to see what I have found. I do this each year to take a break from writing about our lost brothers and sisters and to demonstrate that I am not just a one-note photographer. I do take photos of "other things!"

To see additional memorials from Maine, or any other state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page.

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!

Maine XIX

Maine has some beautiful and unusual memorials and you can see them posted elsewhere on this site.

Today, in keeping with my most recent posts, I will share a couple of photos honoring individual lost brethren.

Like so many of these, the photos themselves are not of the best quality as they are cropped out of much larger pictures, but, they do honor three from Maine who deserve our everlasting thanks and respect.

Philip S. Bryant, Turner, Maine

Previous post about Mr. Bryant may be seen here.

Clayton Edward Savoy, Orono, Maine

Larry Joseph Nadeau, Orono, Maine

I have written about Mr. Nadeau previously on this site and you may find that post here.

Next time, on the 20th, we will return to Maryland for a "regular" memorial, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

To see additional memorials from Maine, or any other state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page. 

Maine XVIII

While cruising around Maine, in the fall, several years ago I came across this really nice little park. Called Veterans Park (and sometimes High School Park) it sits near the river with an absolutely beautiful view of  a bridge and a small waterfall. It was captivating.

Off in the near distance I saw this memorial and walked over to check it out. Rumford had not been on my list of places with a Vietnam memorial.

Walking the stone path through the park, I came across this POW/MIA design taken directly from the ubiquitous POW/MIA flag. I think it is realty striking and beautiful.

When the memorial was first being designed, 29 from Oxford County were known, now there are 37 listed upon the wall. I have commented often about how names are always found after the fact and added and that I cannot recall a memorial that has not had names added at a later date, including The Wall in D.C.

An interesting aside is that in reading up on tho site I found a quote from someone claiming, in 2007, that this was the first Vietnam memorial in the state. Odd as the state memorial in Augusta was dedicated in 1985. I am often intrigued with this need or desire to be the first. I have written in the past about how many sites around the nation claim to be the first Vietnam memorial in the Country.

Recently, I was in Charlottesville, Virginia to visit what I believe to actually be the first. I've done a bit of research on this and so far, of the hundreds and hundreds that I have visited, Charlottesville is the first. That may not hold up forever and if you know differently, please let me know.

Rumford was chosen for the placement of the memorial because 14 of the original 29 were from Rumford or nearby Mexico.

Located near the intersection of Bridge and River Streets.

Next time, on the 21st, we will return to Maryland, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

To see additional memorials from Maine, or any other state, please click the state name on the left side of this page.

Maine XVII

Old Orchard Beach lies about a half an hour north of Kennebunkport, Me.

A lovely New England town that features a Veterans Memorial Park. Like many of these, the park has sports fields and facilities, picnic areas, and kids playgrounds, etc. The Park is nearly in Saco Bay so water sports are easily accessed, too.

The memorials area of the park is spread out over a fairly large area and from some angles nearly secluded by trees.


This first, largest view, as you can see, nearly conceals the larger memorials here.

This view shows the largest of the markers in the park. You can see that one plaque is missing, the one in the center is to WWII vets and the one on the right is to a specific Catholic Chaplin.

Down at what might be called the entrance is this stone which honors WWI vets.

Vietnam and Korea are remembered on this separate stone.

Located at 4 Heath Street it is a beautiful park and should not be missed if in the area. If you visit, take a moment to stop and honor those who who made such sacrifices over so many years.

Next time on the 23rd, we will return to Maryland, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Maine XVI

About 4 miles from the more famous Kennebunkport, Maine is Kennebunk, Maine! Here, I found this small, yet, dignified memorial to a few of our more recent wars, including Vietnam.

Nestled among some trees and flanked by three flag poles it honors those from , and Vietnam.

There are several benches to reflect and remember.

Honored are those who served in all of our involvements from WWII to Iraq.

Located near the intersection of Summer Street and Portland Road, it was dedicated relatively recently although no specific date is listed.

Next time, on the 16th, we will see another site in Maryland, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Maine XV

Just a couple of miles south of Augusta is the town of Hallowell. Located in Kennebec County the town celebrated their 250th anniversary in 2012.

To mark the occasion they built this memorial to all vets. It lists names all the way back to the Spanish American War.

Our brothers and sisters are remembered and honored on the back. There is no key to explain the asterisk next to a few of the names, but it is easy to assume that this denotes KIA. I note only one name from 'Nam.

As you can see, much space is left for the inevitable next engagement, wherever and whenever that may be.

Located near the intersection of Central and 2nd Streets in a local cemetery.

Next time, on the 11th we will return to Maryland, so, as always, join me there at 9:00am.

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

Maine XIV

I have written, previously, about the memorial in Bangor, Maine and you can find that elsewhere on this site, so, today I want to return to my subcategory of Faces of Remembrance.

These three, those who survived are a little different, I think. Often, survivors are depicted differently. they are, understandably, distraught or anguished. Often depicting the Thousand Yard Stare.

Somehow, I see these are somehow, calmer, yet there is always the sadness, the resignation.

Someday, perhaps, I will gather all the faces I have found on this journey and place them all together.

Located at the Cole Land Transportation Museum, (405 Perry Road)

Next time, on March 5th, we will return to Maryland, so join me there as always, at 9:00am.

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

Maine XIII

While visiting the Maine Vietnam memorial in Augusta, on one of my trips there, I decided to walk into the State House just to look around.

I wondered upstairs and found a number of patriotic displays including there to Vietnam.

As noted previously on this site, the Augusta Vietnam memorial lists no names, this is true here, too except for the Medal of Honor recipients from several wars,including Vietnam. The names are all listed on the memorial found in Bangor which you can find elsewhere on this site.

Our sisters are not overlooked here. This plaque honors them all from the Revolution through the present day. No depiction here from Vietnam, but there is one (on the left) that seems to honor the Womens Army Service Pilots from WWII. My former Mother in Law was one of these heroic women and she lived the last 40+ years of her live in Maine, so I found it particularly fitting.

Next time, hopefully on the 24th, I will have a special posting for the season. Come back and check, sometime during the holidays and see, the post will go up at 9:00am, as always.

To see additional memorials from Maine or any other state click the state name on trheleft side of this page.

Maine XII

Wells, Maine lies a little south of Kennebunkport, famous for being one of the homes of the Bush family.

Along one of the man thoroughfares, Post Road,  is the Ocean View Cemetery and to my astonishment today, I read that it is one of 200 in the area.

 This view is of a memorial that seems to list all that served, both in Korea and Vietnam.

These from the area were lost in 'Nam.

There are many veterans resting here, lots from the Civil War and I saw one stone with an 1811 date on it. don't know if it is the oldest. there are also family groups with many dates very close to each other, perhaps some kind of epidemic or other disaster.

Next time, on the 7th, we will take another look at Maryland, so join me there at 9:00am.

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