Montana IX

Montana is one of the first states that I visited back in October of 2009. I visited my friend John in Missoula and visited the magnificent memorial in 'Rose Park. It has always been one of my favorite sites. You can see that post here.

It feels as if I have come full circle and it feels as if this is a never-ending journey.

I don't have many sites from Montana, and I believe that is because of the enormous size of the state. It is actually 15 times larger than the state I live in: so much territory to cross.

Today's heroes are honored on the memorial in the Capitol, Helena.

David J. Allison

Col. Allison was lost on August 12, 1966. He was shot down on a mission over North Vietnam. It is believed that he survived ejection from his plane. He has been listed as MIA, but I have also read that he was awarded some decorations posthumously. I could not find out if he was actually lost or is presumed . VVMF's Wall of Faces still has him listed as MIA.

George R. Anderson

SSGT Anderson is listed on the VVMF site as lost on October 6, 1968, to "non-hostile illness or accident," but on other sites as "mortally wounded" at Tua Thien. I have no way to verify one or the other. Regardless he is among our lost heroes. 

Bruce B. Backeberg

The following is taken directly from his Silver Star citation:

"...Private First Class Backeberg, while serving as the point for the company, discovered an enemy ambush. Immediately and without regard for his own safety, he rushed forward and engaged the first of the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. His instantaneous appraisal of the situation and immediate action pinpointed the enemy force and allowed the company to deliver effective artillery and air strikes on the enemy position. Later the same day, still serving as the company point, Private First Class Backeberg again discovered an enemy ambush. In the ensuing exchange of fire, he was felled, mortally wounded, by enemy rifle fire. His heroic actions in the early identification and attack on the enemy ambushes was directly responsible for the success of the company's mission and saving the lives of many of his fellow Marines. Private First Class Backeberg's inspiring initiative, courage and dedication to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Next time, on March 10th, we will return to Nebraska to honor a few who were lost from the state, so join me there, as usual at 9:00 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.

Montana V

I was driving across Montana and saw a sign for Helena, the Capitol, and decided to head in that direction. It was quite a distance,as are most things in the state, but who knows when you might be back in Montana?

I found this memorial in the aptly named Memorial Park. It is called the Lewis and Clark Veterans Memorial and sits among the ball fields, an amphitheater, and other amenities. really a nice spot.

The memorial honors a number of conflicts among them, Vietnam.

Thirteen of our brothers are honored here.

On the way to Helena, while driving through the mountains, I was passed by this guy. I hurried ahead and pulled over to take the pic. I had hoped I might find him again along the way, but never saw him again, in the time it took me to put away the camera, get back in the car and on the road, he just disappeared. I wonder what his story is?

So, next time, we will return to Nebraska, so meet me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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