California LII

Someone sent me a picture from, California and asked if I was aware of the site. I recognized it immediately as one I visited years ago. I was sure I had posted about it but discovered that I must have only thought about doing so, as it is nowhere to be found here.

 

About 11 miles slightly Northeast of Sacramento, Carmichael claims to have the first Vietnam memorial in California. It is located in the Koobs Nature Area which must have been closed on the day I ventured there. I couldn't find a way in.

I ended up climbing a fence to gain access. (Boy, are those days behind me!) I've since read that the site has limited access, so that may have been my problem.

Students at La Sierra High School wanted to pay tribute to their fallen classmates and constructed the memorial in a metal shop class.

 

Originally dedicated to 14, 15 when I visited, and I have recently learned that the total is now, 18. Changes in the number of honored at these sites change all the time as new information is found. For those who may not know, names are added to The Wall in DC on a regular basis. One wonders if we will ever reach the end.

 

I remember reading somewhere that the memorial is actually made from mining equipment but have been unable to verify that. 

Great job from a bunch of thoughtful, dedicated High school kids.

Next time, on August 11th, we will return to Colorado, so join me, as always, at 9 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, Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) 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 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 seeing all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group! 

Arkansas X

The Arkansas Vietnam Memorial is quite beautiful. You should visit if you can, In the meantime, read a little more about it here.

Arkansas Vietnam memorial, Little Rock

You may have noticed that as I write about these lost heroes, lately, that I usually choose some small place most of us have never heard of. this is intentional on my part as I feel small towns and less magnificent memorials often get overlooked in our memories. While this is but a small thing, it is something I can do.

Today, Alma, Arkansas:

Roger Dale Cecil

LCPL Roger Cecil was lost in the Quang Tri Province to "multiple fragmentation wounds..." He was injured on July 6th and passed on July14, 1967, He was among 22 others lost in that action. He told a friend the last time he saw him that he "would not be returning from the war." He is buried at Ft. Smith Cemetery.

Billy Dale Livingston

LCPL Billy Livingston was killed by "misadventure or friendly fire..." during an attach during Tet, 1968. An American jet flying in support of the Marines at Khe Sanh released a bomb early. It hit the front line of Marines in defense of the village. He was lost on February 26, 1968. He, too, is buried at Ft. Smith.

William Robert Wilson

1LT William Wilson was lost to "other explosive device" on March 25, 1969. He was lost in Quang Ngi Province. He is buried at Ft. Smith.

Next time, on August 6th, we will return to California, 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 three) 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 ed in Neillsville. The site was chosen because the and I will gladly share them here. 

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

Arizona XLIII

Arizona, as you know if you follow along, is a place I visit often. It is rich with memorials. 

Today, I will feature three from Willcox, deep in the southern part of the state.

Memorial at Willcox

Six were lost from Willcox, one is MIA.

Joe Robert Lawrence

PFC Joe Lawrence was on patrol with his Marine unit when he was lost to "small arms fire..." He died in the Quang Nam Province on October 1, 1968. He had moved from Texas to Willcox when he was four and lived there with his family for fourteen years.

William Clint Dickerson

SSGT. William Dickerson was lost in the Binh Dinh Province. His death was considered an accident as a hand grenade exploded killing him. He was lost on May 13, 1969.

SP5 Armando Ramirez was lost on May 23, 1969.  As far as I can tell, he is still MIA. He was a door gunner on a chopper in Cambodia and is credited with saving American soldiers. His chopper was lost and his body has not been recovered.

All of these men were from Willcox, Arizona.

Next time, on August 1st, we will return to Arkansas, 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 three) 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 ed in Neillsville. The site was chosen because the and I will gladly share them here. 

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

Alaska XV

Alaska Vietnam memorial, Anchorage.

It is always difficult for me to choose just which pictures of the Alaska Vietnam Memorial to feature. It is such a magnificent site that no one pic can come close to doing it justice. to see additional pictures, please go here and here. A magnificent tribute to the 57 Alaskans who "gave all" in 'Nam.

Today, a little more honor for a couple of them.

Michael Dean Banta

PFC Michael Banta died in combat three days before his 21st birthday. In his brief, heroic live he was awarded two Bronze stars: One for Valor and one for Merit. He was lost on October2, 1970 to "small arms fire..." at Phouc Long.

David Henry Elisovsky

SGT David Elisovsky was on a mission to "check out" a village for V. C during the 1966 Tet cease fire. While there, they were ambushed by the Viet Cong. David was lost on January 23, 1966, near Tuy Hoa.

David Alan Lape

WO1 David Lape was lost while attempting to reach his helicopter at Sok Trang. He was killed by a mortar round explosion on November 27, 1967.

All of these men were from Cordova, Alaska.

Next time, on July 27th, we will return to Arizona, 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 three) 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 ed in Neillsville. The site was chosen because the and I will gladly share them here. 

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

Alabama XXIX

 

Alabama memorial at Anniston

The memorial at Anniston honors the 741 (other sites say up to 1224)  lost or MIA.

Today, as usual, a few.

Jimmy Earl Darby

PFC Jimmy Darby was among 25 lost (50 wounded) in a search and destroy mission near Dak To in the Kontum Province. The result of the effort seems to be 9 NVA killed, two captured and 3 weapons recovered.

Max Duane Kelsey

SP$ Max Kersey was lost to "non-hostile...other accident..." at Long khanh on January 5, 1970. He was awarded a Bronze Star but I could not find out if his death and the award are in anyway connected.

As always, if you have any information, I would love to see it.

James Steven Stanley

SP4 James Stanley was lost at Thua Thien on March 16, 1970. He was said to have been the victim of "hostile action...multiple fragmentation wounds..."

All of these fallen were from Opp, Alabama.

Next time, on July 22nd, we will return to Alaska, 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 three) 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 ed in Neillsville. The site was chosen because the and I will gladly share them here. 

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

Wyoming V

Wyoming Vietnam memorial: Cody, WY.

Elton Gene Anderson

PFC Elton G. Anderson was lost to "hostile action...small arms fire..." at Quang Nam Province on November 4, 1968.

Pedro Rodriguez Montanez

PFC Pedro R. Montanez was lost in the Kontum Province.  He was considered MIA but his body was eventually recovered . He, too, was a victim of "hostile action... small arms fire." He was lost on November 19, 1967.

Joseph Benson Walker

SP4 Joseph B. Walker was lost on June 12, 1969, in Binh Duong Province. He is listed as a "Non-hostile...injury or disease..." loss. As is almost always the case, I could verify no other information. 

Again, as always, if you know anything about Joseph or any other listed here, I would love to hear about it and perhaps be able to update the information about any of the 58, 284 men and women who gave their all for our efforts in Vietnam. 

All of the men listed above were from Lovell, Wyoming. 

Next time, on July 17th, we will return to Alabama, 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 three) 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 ed in Neillsville. The site was chosen because the and I will gladly share them here. 

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

Wisconsin XXV

Wisconsin's remarkable memorial is located in Neillsville, a site chosen because any citizen could drive there in a day. Read more about it here.

Numbers vary by differing counts, but Neillsville says 1244, so that is what we'll agree to use.

Today, a few from the state.

Phillip Henry Clark

PFC Phillip Clark was lost to "small arms fire" at Phu Yen Province on March 3, 1966.

Gary Lee Folz

CPL Gary Folz was caught in an ambush. As his fellow soldiers were crying out for help, he tended to then as best he could. While doing so he was hit by gunfire and died instantly.

John Albert Luke

SP4 John Luke was lost to a booby trap tripped by a fellow soldier in his group. 2 others were killed and an additional 3 wounded at Quang Ngai Province on March 3, 1971.

All three of these heroes were from Wisconsin Rapids.

Next time, on July 12th, we will return to Wyoming, 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 three) 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 ed in Neillsville. The site was chosen because the and I will gladly share them here. 

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