Minnesota XII

 

Minnesota has one of the most well thought out memorial in the country, in my opinion. You can read about some of the details in my original post here. 

Today, I will feature three from Winona, a place I actually visited that you can read about elsewhere on this site.

Ronald Paul Allen

LCPL Ronald Allen was among 48 others lost during Operation Badgertooth. Operation Badgertooth was a search and destroy mission in the "street without joy" region of the Quang Tri Province.

Gary Francis Cysewski

PFC Gary Cysewski was lost to "small arms fire" on September 11, 1968, in the Binh Long Province.

Charles Orvis Deedrick jr.

SP4 Charles Deedrick jr was among 77 lost in a fierce battle in the Kontum Province. The morning after, it was discovered that over half of the enemy's wounded had been executed by fleeing VC soldiers.

Next time, on November 9th, join me in Mississippi. 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.

Michigan XIX

Michigan Vietnam Memorial

Honoring the 400,000 who served and the 2600 lost, the memorial sits in Michigan Veterans Memorial Park in Lansing.

Today I will honor three from Bellevue, Michigan.

Thomas William Beatty

SP5 Thomas Beatty was on guard duty on May 18, 1971, in the Hua Nghai Province when a barrel of oil exploded burning him severely. 70% of his body was burned. He was transported to a burn unit in Japan, but the treatment there could not save him. He died on June 12, 1971.

Clyde David Lahr

SGT Clyde Lahr: The Vietnamese "Liberation Forces" were attempting take Tay Ninh City as their Capitol. U.S. forces were airlifted in to intercept the VC. Heavy fighting ensued and SGT Lahr, and several others, were lost. He was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery in this action.

David Michael Powell

PFC David Powell was lost on May 10, 1968, at Long An Province. He died of "multiple fragmentation wounds.

Next time, on November 4th, join me in Minnesota. 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.

Massachusetts XXXVIII

The Massachusetts Vietnam Memorial

John Joseph Fullerton jr.

PVT John Fullerton had already been wounded three time when his CO got him transferred to a job at the American Embassy in Saigon because "he needed a break." On Jan 31, 1968, the VC made their way into the embassy and John was killed in the ensuing fire fight. He had arrived in 'Nam in June and by January he had been wounded four times.

Robert Warren Parent

SP5 Robert Parent was lost at Thua Thein on July 21, 1968. He was lost in a helicopter crash on a supply delivery flight.

Believe it or not, the above picture is all that seems to be available: an absolute disgrace! Am I wrong, or did the Army not take pictures of every one of us during basic? If so, why is this all that is available?

Richard William Welch

PFC Richard Welch was lost on September 13, 1968, in the Quang Duc Province to "small arms fire." He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the fire fight in which he gave his life.

These three heroes were the only ones lost from Wilmington, Massachusetts. Seems odd that they were all lost in a nine-month period.

Next time, on October 30th, join me in Michigan. 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.

Maryland XLVIII

Recently I was returning from a wedding in Pennsylvania. It was about an hour or so above Philadelphia, so when I hit the Chesapeake House going south on  Rte 95, I decided it was a good time to stop.

After a quick bite and a little rest, I wandered out back from the touristy stuff in side to discover a memorial to women who have served. You , still, don't see to many of these, so I checked it out. 

While it is not specific to Vietnam, our sisters are certainly included in this honor. As you will see in future posts about this spot, Vietnam did play a huge role in its design.

Today, however, just the monolith from the site.

There is more here and as promised when we return you will see the larger connection to Vietnam.

Next time, on October 25th, join me in Massachusetts. 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 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.

Louisiana X

One of the two memorials in New Orleans

Louisiana, as recently posted here, has dedicated their State Vietnam Memorial north of New Orleans.

 You can see more about this here.

Today, however, we will pay tribute to a few of those honored and remembered on this latest tribute. 

JamesThomas Hilton Cordova

SSGT James Cordova as lost on January 3, 1965, at Binh Dinh Province. He was lost while missing by "drowning or suffocation." I could find no other information.

Thomas Simon Malmay

SP4 Thomas Malmay was in Military Region 1, offshore in 'Nam. He was lost in an "air loss, crash at sea" on September 26, 1970. His chopper was lost in what is considered a non-hostile " incident. No other details were found.

Richard Jarrell Remedies

PFC Richard Remedies was lost at Bein Hoa on August 1, 1967, to "friendly fire." He was caught in a crossfire during a fire fight.

All of these men were from Zwolle, Louisiana.

Next time, on October 15th, join me in Maine. 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.

Kentucky X

Kentucky Vietnam Memorial, Frankfort.

 

The Kentucky memorial in Frankfort has always been one of my very favorite sites. It is a masterpiece of design and thought. Check it out here.

James Dwight Anderson

PFC James Anderson was lost in the Quang Ngai Province to "other explosive device." He was lost on August 15, 1969. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. I could find no other details.

Ernest Wayne Rutherford

PFC Ernest Rutherford was lost to "misadventure, friendly fire" in the Thua Thien Province on July 11, 1968.  He was lost when artillery fire, meant to support, fell short killing several and wounded many others.

Elzie Sanders jr.

SP4 Elzie Sanders was lost to "small arms fire" on November 12, 1967, in the Tay Ninh Province. I read a brief article about how a road in his hometown was renamed for him. In the article it said he was killed rushing into enemy fire to save two other soldiers.

Next time, on October 10th, join me in Louisiana. 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.

Kansas XVI

The Kansas Vietnam Memorial is in Junction City, near Fort Riley, not the Capitol, Topeka. Speculation is that this is because so many shipped out to 'Nam from here. But, as I say, this is speculation from folks I talked to in the area. (As always, if you know something about this, please contact me at the email on the left. I always want to know more and correct any errors!)

Kansas State Vietnam Memorial, Junction City.

David Lee DeLaughder

PFC David De Laughder was lost to "other explosive device in the Quang Nam Province. He was lost on April 4, 1967, to a wound on the 10th of April.

Donald Allen Evans

CAPT Donald Evans was lost in the Pleiku Province on January 1, 1968. He was lost to "multiple fragmentation wounds." He was an Army Ranger and from the tributes left on his Wall of Faces page, he was well respected and loved.

Clinton Dwight Pierce

PFC Clinton Pierce was lost to" small arms fire" on November 8,1969. He was lost in the Quang Nam Province. is obituary mentions that he was lost while on patrol.

I have ranted here, probably too often, about how frustrating it is to be able to find so very little information about men and women who gave their lives for our efforts in 'Nam. Today, while trying to find info on PFC Pierce, I ran across tons of information about General Pierce.

Doesn't seem right to me!

Next time, on October 5th, join me in Kentucky. 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.

Iowa XII

Iowa has one of my very favorite memorials.

It is an ever changing "rock art" site located near Menlo. You can read my original story about it here.

Freedom Rock, near Menlo, Iowa

Today, I will honor three from Washington, Iowa.

Willard John Friese

PFC Willard Friese was lost in Thua Thien Province to "multiple fragmentation wounds" He was an adopted child from Germany who spoke little English when he arrived in the US. He wanted to give back to the country that gave him so much. He was wounded on March 20, 1966, he was lost on the 21st.

Robert George Harvey

PFC Robert Harvey was lost on October 10, 1968 in the Quang Nam province. He was a victim of "other explosive device."

Larry Eugene Smith

PFC Larry Smith was lost to "multiple fragmentation wounds" on April 26, 1969, in the Tay Ninh Province. While clearing numerous bunkers a Claymore mine was detonated. PFC Smith and (if I am understanding the report) several others were lost.

Next time, on September 30th, join me in Kansas. 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 me memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland!

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

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.

Indiana XIII

About an hour, or so, south of Indianapolis is Charlestown. Which began in the early 1800's as a Mill town. the population in the 1960s was around 6,000.

Indiana Vietnam Memorial, Indianapolis

Today, I would like to honor her three lost sons who gave their all in our efforts in 'Nam.

Richard E. Devore

SFC Richard Devore was lost on January 1, 1968, to "multiple fragmentation wounds." He was lost in the Tay Ninh Province. the only other thing I could find about him is that he was lost at a "hot LZ."

John Meigs Graham

PT John Graham who was lost to "small arms fire" in the Chau Doc Province, near the Cambodian border, on January 16, 1971.

The following was taken from VVMF's Wall of Faces Remembrances pages.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF A HIGHLY DECORATED ARMY OFFICER WHOSE NAME SHALL LIVE FOREVER MORE

"CAPTAIN JOHN MEIGS GRAHAM WAS A DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE OF THE USMA IN THE CLASS OF 1964 WHO WAS AN INFANTRY LEADER WHEN HE MET HIS UNTIMELY DEATH ON 1-16-1971. HIS MILITARY DECORATIONS INCLUDED THE SILVER STAR MEDAL, THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH V DEVICE, THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, THE AIR MEDAL WITH TWO OAK LEAF CLUSTERS, THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL WITH V DEVICE, THE ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL AND THE PURPLE HEART. IN ADDITION, HE WAS ENTITLED TO WEAR THE COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE."

William Howard Somerville

CPL William Somerville was lost to in a chopper crash in Quang Ngai Province. It was noted that he was not a crew member. He was lost on August 15, 1969. He was among a group of soldiers on their way to try to take out an antiaircraft weapon that was constantly being moved around by the enemy. All on board the chopper were lost when it was shot down.

Next time, on September 25th, join me in Iowa. 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 me memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland!

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

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.

Illinois XX

Wabash (Vietnam Veterans) Plaza, Chicago, Illinois

2936 were lost in Vietnam from Illinois. Other sites dispute this number, but as I have said before, it depends upon whom you are including in that count.

I was in Springfield at the Illinois State Memorial memorial there (quite some years ago now) and the guy in charge told me they had recently (at the time) added the name of a guy who had been in a coma for thirty years. So, numbers are disputed, change over time and it makes me wonder if we will ever have an accurate accounting of the price that was paid?

To recall John Kerry, "Who will be the last to die?

All of that aside, today I will honor a few from Illinois.

Lyle Francis Kell

 CPL Lyle Kell was lost on December2, 1969. He gave all at Binh Duong and was lost as a "ground casualty" to "other explosive device."

Conrad Thomas Lange

LCPL Conrad Lange was in the Dong Nam Province on June 9th, 1967. Like CPL Kell above, he, too, was lost to "other explosive device." He and another solder were killed by booby trapped artillery shells.

Thomas John Mead

PFC Thomas Mead was lost to "accidental homicide" in the Thua Thien Province. He was lost on June 6th, 1969. It turns out that "accidental homicide" occurs when two groups of allied solders get in a fight and start shooting at each other. Two RF (regional forces) members were charged with the homicide but the 5 judge committee declined to convict. One of the two was later killed in battle.

All of these are from Wood Dale, Illinois.

Next time, on September 20th, join me in Indiana. 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 me memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland!

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

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.

Idaho XII

Idaho lost a number of her sons and today as has become my habit, I will honor a few of them.

But first, I fudged on the above statement because the numbers vary so greatly depending on to whom you are listening. The US Army Center of Military History says 137 and as I reported in my first post from Idaho different sites state up to 251. You can see that first post here.

Today, three of them.

William Balt Hunt 

MSG William Hunt was lost on November 4, 1966, in the Tay Ninh Province. He was lost to hostile action, ground casualty. He died "while missing" and his body was never recovered. He was declared dead on April 7, 1976.

James Alton Lockwood

SP4 James Lockwood was lost in the Phu Yen Province on September 17, 1966. He  was killed outright by "multiple fragmentation wounds."

Glen Emery Shropshire

WO1 Glen Shropshire was lost in a chopper crash on July 31, 1967. He was lost at Pleiku and his body was never recovered

These men were all from Sandpoint, Idaho whose population in 1966 is estimated to have been about 4,200. What a tragedy that two of the three lost were never reunited with their families and loved ones.

Next time, on September 15th, join me in Illinois. Sees 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 me memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland!

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

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.

Hawai'i' VII

I've recently returned from Hawai'i', where I found a small memorial west of Honolulu. It honors a story we don't hear too much about.

Back in the 60's era the National Guard was often seen as a means to avoid going to Vietnam. Rightly or wrongly, this was too often the case.

The Guard just didn't get sent to 'Nam.

Or so we thought.  

We thought wrong.

Many thousands of Guard troops ended up in 'Nam and nearly 1100 from Hawai'i from the 29th Infantry served there: 29 of them made the ultimate sacrifice.

Today, I will share their memorial and, at a future date, some of the heroes all of whom are memorialized on a wall of photos inside the building adjacent to the memorial.

 

The memorial may be found on Enterprise Street in Kapolei, about 30 min. west of Honolulu.

Next time, on September 10th, join me in Idaho. Sees 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 me memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland!

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

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.