Delaware XXXI

Delaware has three counties and each has its own memorial. Only this one holds all the names from "The First State." Read more about it here.

Wilmington Vietnam Memorial

Today, however, I will be honoring a few from the state who made the ultimate sacrifice.

On the way to the Delaware and Maryland beaches, I always drive through Ellendale. I learned today that two of her sons were lost in Nam.

Reginald Wayne Burriss

SP4 Reginald Burriss was among several lost to "misadventure, friendly fire" Following is a report I found on VVMF's Wall of Faces.

"At 1:35 AM on August 19, 1969, the base camp of Headquarters, 3rd Brigade, U.S. 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), at a landing zone near Quan Loi in Binh Long Province, RVN, received a ground probe from an unknown-size enemy force using small arms and automatic weapons. The troopers fired back with unit weapons and were supported by artillery, helicopter gunships, and tanks from an element of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment collocated at the camp. At 2:00 AM, the enemy withdrew. Their losses were unknown. During the action, a Sheridan tank accidently fired on an American bunker near the northwest perimeter of the base. The discharged projectile was an anti-personnel “beehive” round which fires hundreds of tiny razor-sharp darts. Nine troopers were killed in the incident and another five were wounded. The lost Americans were SP4 Raymond J. Ashnault, SP4 Reginald W. Burris, PFC Gaspar Cruz-Lebron, SGT William J. Dawson, SP4 John A. Kolwyck, SP4 Jimmie Miller, PVT Joseph P. Mobus, SP4 Robert G. Solomon, and PFC Paul A. Sparks. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Tank Accident Kills 8 GIs.” Pacific Stars & Stripes, August 21, 1969."

Donald Philip Hamilton

PFC Donald Hamilton was lost on December 19, 1969, to "other explosive device" at Quang Nam.

The next town over from Ellendale on the way to those beaches is Greenwood. She, too, lost a son.

Elmer Lee Faulkner

PFC Elmer Faulkner was lost in the Quang Tri Province on June 18, 1968 to "small arms fire.'

The following is from the VVMF's Wall of Faces site.

"Operation Robin (June 2–19, 1968) was a U.S. Marine Corps operation southeast of Khe Sanh in Quang Tri Province, RVN. In late May 1968, U.S. aerial reconnaissance detected a North Vietnamese Army (NVA) supply road being constructed through the jungle from the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos parallel to, but fifteen kilometers (9.3 miles) south of, National Route QL-9 in an area known as the "Vietnam Salient" where Vietnam protrudes into Laos. Operation Robin was a two-stage operation with the 1st Marine Regiment in Operation Robin North engaging recently infiltrated NVA 88th and 102nd Regiments of the 308th Division south of QL-9, while in Operation Robin South the 4th Marine Regiment would conduct airmobile operations further south and locate and destroy the NVA supply road. In the predawn darkness of June 18th, an NVA sapper unit crawled to within 30 feet of the perimeter of a bivouacked Company K, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines near the jungle road. Preceding their assault with a mortar preparation, the enemy sprang from their positions and quickly penetrated Company K’s lines. The Marines held their ground, fighting back with artillery, aerial units, and a platoon from Company M, 3/4 to help repulse the rampaging NVA. After four hours of fighting, the Marines drove back the Communist troops. Three Douglas A-4E Skyhawks of Marine Attack Squadron 311 pounded the retreating enemy, killing many. Sporadic fighting continued through the day; the Marines engaged enemy snipers and automatic weapons emplacements left behind to cover their withdrawal. When the last resistance ended, 129 North Vietnamese lay dead in and around Company K's position. Marine casualties numbered 15 killed and 30 wounded. The lost personnel included (from H&S/3/4) Pvt James E. Degnis and LCpl Carey L. Johns; (from K/3/4) Pfc Robert L. Ball, Cpl Fergus J. Carroll, Pfc Ronald D. Fogard, Pfc William T. Gibson, LCpl Steven B. Lavigne, Cpl James M. Mathews, LCpl Elwood Owens, LCpl Rito Silva, and SSgt Albert R. Taylor II; (from M/3/4) Sgt Jose R. Moncayo and Cpl John R. Schurrer; (from A Co, 3rd Eng Bn) Pfc Elmer L. Faulkner Jr. and Pfc Calvin L. Terrell. [Sourced from coffeltdatabase.org and virtualwall.org]"

Next time, on August 26th, we will return to Florida, 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 all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group!

Connecticut XX

There is an interesting story about how the Connecticut Vietnam memorial came to be. One woman's determination eventually led to the honor of many. Take a moment and read about it here.

Connecticut Vietnam memorial, Coventry

Today, I will honor a few from Connecticut: 

Gerald Lee Bourdeau

PFC Gerald Bourdeau was lost in Tay Ninh Province on November 6th, 1966, to "small arms fire." He was on a Search and Destroy mission when unseen enemy opened up with machine gun fire. It was so dark that night that it was nearly impossible to return fire as the solders could not determine exactly where the enemy was located. Six others were lost on this mission.

Robert Jonh Leska

SGT Robert Leska was lost on May 5, 1968, in Binh Dinh Province to "burns" received from a surprise rocket attack. He was awarded a bronze Star for "Meritorious Service."

Stephen Grady Peck

SP4 Stephen Peck was lost on March 6, 1967, in the Binh Dinh Province to "small arms fire." He was a Forward Observer, an extremely dangerous job, and was lost on a mission as were so many FOs. Several others were also lost on this mission on this day

These three were all from Trumball, Connecticut.

Next time, on August 21st, we will return to Delaware, 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! 

Colorado XLVI

Those from Colorado had an unexpected hero who led the fight for their recognition and honor. Today, I will tell what I can about three who are honored by his efforts, but you can read more about him here.

Colorado Vietnam Memorial, Pueblo.

Stanley Loyd Baker

LCPL Stanley Baker was killed when his convoy was ambushed in Thuy Thein. He was lost to "Artillery, rocket, or mortar..." He was lost on February 7, 198. He is buried at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Colorado.

Jerry Lee Borgans

PFC Jerry Borgans was killed instantly while attempting to secure a bridge site over a river in Phuoc Long. He was lost on March 13, 1967, and his buried at Ft. Logan, too.

Ronald Coleman Toth

LCPL Ronald Toth was lost to "small arms fire" in the Quang Tri Province. He was lost o September 7, 1967. He is buried at Ft. Logan.

All three of these lost heroes were from Westminster, Colorado which is just north of Denver.

Next time, on August 16th, we will return to Connecticut, 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.

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.