Delaware XXX

I posted about Milford, Delaware a while back. You can see that post here. Today, the three lost from the town. 

James H. Johnson

Capt. James Johnson was killed while traveling in a convoy near the Cambodian border on October 3, 1963. The VC ambushed them and the Captain and 8 Vietnamese solders were killed. they were lost in the Quang Duc Province. 

Wayne C. Jester

PVT Wayne Jester was lost on April10, 1968 in Binh Thuan Province. He was lost to "small arms" "hostile" fire. No other information was found.

So sad how little we know or remember. 

Donald Lee Gibson

Sp4 Donald Gibson was killed on July 19, 1968 at Gia Dinh Province. His records say "hostile"..."other explosive device.." I am not clear on exactly what that means. It could be a bomb, grenade, rocket among others. the records are not clear.

Again, way too little information. 

Next time on November 3rd, we will return to Florida and an actual memorial, 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.

 

Delaware XXVIII

 ***Note: I have no idea why the last post, Veterans Day 2024 posted as it did. I attempted several times to correct the incorrect print alignment, but could not fix it. In the view I see as I am writing, it is perfect, but the end result, how it appears on the actual site is faulty. If you have any suggestions, I would live to hear them!

 

So, Veterans Day is past and on to the promised post from Delaware.

On my last visit to "The first State" I had read or been told about a memorial at a local VFW. I was able to track it down and it is is impressive for what I often find at these places. (usually a nice plaque or similar.)  

Lots and lots of names but for the life of me  could find no indication that it was a Vietnam memorial. No particular war was singled out but there wee too many names for some of them not to be of those lost in 'Nam.

As you can see there are many names listed here on all sides of the monolith and also special plaques along the brick walls. If you are from this area and know anything more about this site, I would love to hear from you and update this with additional information.

The memorial is located at: 4941 Wheatleys Pond Rd, Smyrna, DE

Next time, on November 19th, we will return to Maryland, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00 am.

To see additional memorials from Delaware, or any other state, please click a state name on the left side of this page. Please note that Canada, Ireland, and Puerto Rico have been added to the list.

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 and Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, and very soon Elli from Maryland, 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 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. Thanks, once again, to all who have contributed.

Delaware XI

I first visited this site in Dover, Delaware in 2010.

I had read, since then, that there had been a helicopter added along with some other features and memorials to more recent involvements.

So, after thinking about it for quite some time, I returned recently.

There is indeed, a Huey on display now along with some interesting plaques.

Near by are remembrances to those who served upon these war-birds that so very often were angels of mercy. I don't know a 'Nam vet who cannot hear a Huey way off in the distance, often well before anyone else is aware of its approach. there is something distinctive about they sound they make and we never forget it.

I am always pleased when I find a site honoring the dogs used in 'Nam. what many don't know is that they were abandoned at the end of the war, just left to die, or in some cases, I am told, euthanized. they was such an uproar when this became public information that the Military no longer leaved then behind and they are mustered out with their handlers.

There is, also, a POW/MIA chair on site. This is part of a nationwide movement to never let the public forget the sacrifice of so many. These chairs are found around the Nation and this is the second one I have seen in Delaware.

Next time, on the26th, we will return to Florida, so meet me there at 9:00am.

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

Delaware III

I traveled recently to both Kent and Sussex Counties in Delaware. Each, as mentioned previously, has its own memorial. The one in Kent County (Dover) was just completed and dedicated this past Veterans Day. Congratulations to the Vets and others who worked so hard and long to make this a reality. The site is located in a small park area with walkways and benches. It lists the 26 citizens lost on the front as well as graphical tributes to the Woman's Memorial in DC, a chopper and a flag with a rose on it. Coincidentally, there were flowers left at the site very recently, including a black rose. There is also a map of Vietnam and Southeast Asia and the Military Insignias found on so many. As with many others, the bricks that encircle the site can be engraved with the names of loved ones, if one so chooses. To do so, contact VVA chapter 850, c/o Paul Davis, 5233 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 Email: PaulDavis5233@comcast.net I have talked to some of the guys involved in creating this memorial, the last of the three county sites, and am especially happy to see the completed project because I know they had some difficulties. Once again, congrats guys! This memorial is located on S. Little Creek Rd. at Rte. 113, kind of behind the Airbase Carpet Store.