Vietnam Losses of the Members of the USMC 38th OCC / BC 3-66

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Berger, Gerald

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Gerald David Berger
Date of Birth: July 7, 1942
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Topeka, KS
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: D-2
TBS Platoon: D-1
TBS Class Standing: 346
MOS: 0802
Serial Number: 092978
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: March 24, 1968

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - August 5, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Mis-Adventure
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 49W - Row 012

REMEMBERANCE

Bergerson, John

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: John Francis Bergerson
Date of Birth: May 21, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Mercer Island, WA
College: University of Washington

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: NROTC
TBS Platoon: E-1
TBS Class Standing: 118
MOS: 0802
Serial Number: 092624
Component (Reserve or Regular): Regular
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: October 6, 1966

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - January 29, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: Silver Star & Purple Heart
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 14E - Row 094

REMEMBERANCE

March 20, 2005

John is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Posted by: Robert Sage
e-Mail: rsage@austin.rr.com

January 21, 2006

Lieutenant John Francis Bergerson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Bergerson of Mercer Island, was killed in action near DaNang, Republic of Vietnam on Sunday, 26 Jan (1967). He was serving as a forward observer for the First Battalion, Eleventh Marines. Lt. Bergerson was born 21 May 1943, in Manhattan Beach CA. His family moved to Mercer Island in November of 1944, and has resided here ever since. Lt. Bergerson was graduated from Mercer Island High School in 1961, and graduated from the University of Washington in December of 1965. A member of the NROTC, he was commissioned a second Lieutenant upon graduation. He attended basic training at Quantico VA, and attended the US Army Artillery and Missile School at Fort Sill. He was sent to Vietnam 6 Oct 1966, Lt. Bergerson had a 30 day leave before going overseas. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis C. Bergerson, and a brother PFC Carl Bergerson, USMC, presently stationed at Norfolk VA. Memorial services will be held at the Redeemer Lutheran Church tomorrow, Friday, at 4pm.Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. The family has suggested that remembrances can be made to the USMCR Civic Action for Vietnam, 406 Balasalles Building 1028 Connecticut NW Washington D.C. 20036 (MI Reporter, Mercer Island, 2 Feb 1967)

Posted by: Arnold M. Huskins

Bobo, John

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: John Paul Bobo
Date of Birth: February 14, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Niagara Falls, NY
College: Niagara University

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: B-2
TBS Platoon: E-1
TBS Class Standing: 303
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 092986
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: Unknown

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - March 30, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: Metal Of Honor
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 17E - Row 070

REMEMBERANCE

December 3, 1998

John was a dear friend. We attended Niagara University together. We corresponded on a regular basis while he was in Nam. I honor and remember John to this day.
Posted by: Mike Cirrito
Relationship: Friend

May 13, 1999

knew him but he may not remember me. Good Marine.
Posted by: Edwin Fitzgerald

March 19, 2001

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR was presented to his family on 27 August 1968 at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. by the Secretary of the United States Navy Paul R. Ignatius.
Posted by: Clay Martston

October 28, 2001

You are a hero to the alumni at Bishop Duffy.
Posted by: Mark Kapinos Dunedin, Florida
Email: maryannol@aol.COM
Relationship: School alumni

January 10, 2002

In an act of heroism above and beyond the call of duty, this American gave his life so that others might live. We honor his memory and sacrifice by preserving the torch of liberty that has been passed to us.
Posted by: Doug Sterner
Relationship: Medal of Honor Historian

August 11, 2002

Vietnam Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
His citation reads "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Company I was establishing night ambush sites when the command group was attacked by a reinforced North Vietnamese company supported by heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire. 2d Lt. Bobo immediately organized a hasty defense and moved from position to position encouraging the outnumbered marines despite the murderous enemy fire. Recovering a rocket launcher from among the friendly casualties, he organized a new launcher team and directed its fire into the enemy machine gun positions. When an exploding enemy mortar round severed 2d Lt. Bobo's right leg below the knee, he refused to be evacuated and insisted upon being placed in a firing position to cover the movement of the command group to a better location. With a web belt around his leg serving as a tourniquet and with his leg jammed into the dirt to contain the bleeding, he remained in this position and delivered devastating fire into the ranks of the enemy attempting to overrun the marines. 2d Lt. Bobo was mortally wounded while firing his weapon into the main point of the enemy attack but his valiant spirit inspired his men to heroic efforts, and his tenacious stand enabled the command group to gain a protective position where it repulsed the enemy onslaught. 2d Lt Bobo's superb leadership, daunt less courage, and bold initiative reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval service. He gallantly gave his life for his country".

Burial
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Lewiston
Niagara County
New York, USA

February 5, 2003

want to thank you John for giving your life and saving mine and the others who were with you. Thank you for being a true leader.
Semper Fi Marine
Posted by: William N. Stankowski
Relationship: He was my PLT COMMANDER

May 26, 2005

I took this picture of John while he was sharing something funny from a letter he had just received from home.

Posted by: Jack Riley
Email: gruntI39@charter.net
Relationship: I was with him when he was killed.

November 15, 2007

John was my first I/3/9 platoon commander in July 1966. I served as a squad leader for John and was one of the Marines who survived the Battle of Getlin's Corner due to his heroic actions on 3/30/67. John's devotion to his fellow Marines on that terrible day is hard for me to explain to anyone who doesn't understand what happens to men in combat. John's bravery, as evidenced by his Medal of Honor, was only surpassed by his love for his family and his fellow Marines of India Company. I owe my life to John and our brothers of "The Flaming I". I honor their memory everyday and will continue to do so as long as I live.
Semper Fidelis
Jack Riley
2nd Sqd. 2nd Plt.
I/3/9 1966-1967
Posted by: Jack Riley
Email: gruntI39@charter.net
Relationship: I was with him when he was killed.

Colburn, Denver Jr.

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Denver Dewey Colburn Jr.
Date of Birth: February 25, 1941
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Brooksville, FL
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: B-1
TBS Platoon: Pensacola
TBS Class Standing: -
MOS: 7561
Serial Number: 093025
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: October 15, 1967

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - January 8, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Air Loss, Crash - Land
Air or Ground: Helicopter - Crew
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Thua Thien
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 33E - Row 081

REMEMBERANCE

February 7, 2002

Capt. Denver Dewey Colburn Jr., 093025 was the co-pilot on January 8th, 1968 when he and Bob Cramer hit a ridge attempting a night medevac. He had actually been assigned to the chase aircraft but had swapped with Chuck Bowers to get the experience of flying with Major Cramer. His hometown was Brooksville, FL and he was 26 at the time of his death.
Posted by: HMM-362 History Project

January 26, 2004

Denny: You were only 26 when you left us; it's now been 36 years and those of us from the HHS Class of '59 will be 64 this year. You gave the ultimate - your life- for our freedom. Thank you.
Posted by: Joyce Adkins
Email: sadkins4@tampabay.rr.com
Relationship: We were high school classmates

Conlan, Brian Jr.

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Brian Daly Conlan Jr.
Date of Birth: February 6, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: South Orange, NJ
College: Seton Hall

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: D-2
TBS Platoon: D-1
TBS Class Standing: 463
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 093032
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - January 25, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 14E - Row 076

REMEMBERANCE

February 18, 2000

Lt. Brian Conlan's memory lives on. A "Most Valuable Player Award" has been named after him and is awarded each year by Our Lady of Sorrows School, East Orange, NJ, where he graduated in 1961.
Posted by: Joe Mannino
Email: jmann44@aol.com
Relationship: Marine Brother

June 13, 2001

Often I think of you, Brian. You were a class act, and I thank you and the others for the sacrifice you made.
Posted by: Mike Campion
Relationship: We were high school classmates

Connelly, Edward Jr.

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Edward Walter Connelly Jr.
Date of Birth: January 10, 1944
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Agawam, MA
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: B-2
TBS Platoon: Pensacola - Choppers – CH-46
TBS Class Standing: -
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 093033
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: August 9, 1967

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - May 5, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Air Loss, Crash – Land
Air or Ground: Helicopter – Pilot
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: Distinguish Flying Cross, Silver Star & Purple Heart
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 55E - Row 007

REMEMBERANCE

Squadron HMM-165 (CH-46A), MAG-35

Coonon, Daniel

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Daniel James Coonon
Date of Birth: January 17, 1943
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Lebanon, PA
College: University of Georgia

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: NCO
TBS Platoon: E-1
TBS Class Standing: 382
MOS: 7582
Serial Number: 093036
Component (Reserve or Regular): Regular
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: June 15, 1968

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - October 8, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Air Loss, Crash – Land
Air or Ground: Fixed Wing - Crew
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 41W - Row 031

REMEMBERANCE

Captain Coonon was shot down July 4, 1968 along with his Pilot Major Bibler by a .50 caliber – both survived. On October 8, 1968 he was shot down again by ground fire and both he and his pilot Capt. Joseph Jones were killed. He was with VMFA – 115 Chu Lai.

February 5, 2008

I was an RIO in squadron VMFA-115 and was shot down in late June ’68. I flew with Mayor Bibler several times but do not remember Captain Coonon. He must have arrived just as I was leaving. During my entire tour in Vietnam there was only one aircraft from VMFA 115 that had been shot down and that was the plane my Pilot (Jack Proctor) and I were in. The year following my departure I was told that VMFA 115 lost four other aircraft due to enemy fire. I wish I had met up with Dan while I was there, it would have been nice to have seen another classmate. RIP my friend.
Posted by: Terry Cox
Email: tcox95@cox.net

Cox, Jackson

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Jackson Elliott Cox
Date of Birth: August 15, 1941
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Waynesboro, GA
College: University of Georgia

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: B-4
TBS Platoon: E-1
TBS Class Standing: 210
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 093044
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - March 25, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Artillery, Rocket, Mortar
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 17E - Row 041

REMEMBERANCE

1^st BN/4^th Marines

May 31, 1999

Jack was a boyhood friend. We met as boys when he would come to my hometown, Covington, Ga. to visit his Aunt. We were the same age. Our contacts were infrequent, but I was aware of his accomplishments throughout high school and college. I was a 1st Lt. in the Army and completed my tour in the US in 1965. To his family and friends who may read this, please know that in this person's opinion, in addition to your personal loss, the state and country lost a future government or business leader.
Posted by: Donald L. House, Atlanta
Relationship: boyhood friend

May 31, 1999

We met on the day we entered OCC. He was a fine man who did not to deserve his fate. He always had a smile on his face, that's what I remember best. A born leader, he epitomizes what a Marine officer should be.
Posted by: James A. Greenough
e-Mail: hmcgreenough@aol.com
Relationship: Company Corpsman For Lt. Cox

March 18, 2000

To Lt. Cox the Georgia Peach, thanks for all you did as CO Platoon leader of 'D' CO to make a Corpsman’s life a little better …Doc Greenough.
Posted by: Unknown

May 31, 2004

Jack was a college friend whose death caused deep sorrow. He was a fantastic athlete (quarterback for Georgia Bulldogs) and a scholar (Rhodes Scholar, I believe). He will always be my hero.
Posted by: Karen Branan
e-Mail: k.branan@verizon.net
Relationship: We were college classmates.

November 17, 2004

Photo from the 1965 University of Georgia annual, "Pandoras."
Thanks to Gilbert Head, University of Georgia Archives for his help in recovering Jackson's photo.

Posted by: Jim McIlhenney
Email: christianamacks@comcast.net
Relationship: Marine Viet Nam Veteran.

Dobbin, Louis II

Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Louis David Dobbin II
Date of Birth: November 4, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Brighton, MA
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: PLC
TBS Platoon: D-2
TBS Class Standing: 444
MOS: 1802
Serial Number: 092463
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - May 18, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 20E - Row 024

REMEMBERANCE

Louis David Dobbin
First Lieutenant
3RD PLT, C CO, 3RD TANK BN, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
04 November 1943 - 18 May 1967
Brighton, Massachusetts
Panel 20E Line 024

23 Nov 2003
You will always be remembered.
One of three of my Basic School roommates who were killed in action.
Semper Fi, Marines
Joe
Joe Hancharick, Jr.
6125 7th Street, King George, VA 22485
joeh@crosslink.net
The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a roommate at The Basic School, Quantico,
Joe Hancharick, Jr.

On 18 May 1967 a Battalion Landing Team built around the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, conducted airborne and amphibious assaults into the southeastern part of the Demilitarized Zone under the name Operation Beau Charger. The North Vietnamese Army's 326B Division held the ground and defended the area with vigor. Because the first flight of UH-34s (from HMM-263) took very heavy fire a decision was taken to spread the heliborne landings among several LZ’s. While this action reduced the risk to the air assault crews and passengers before landing, it increased the risk once the Marines were on the ground because they were dispersed rather than landed en masse. Heavy fighting began as soon as the Marines hit the landing zones.

The largest concentration of Naval gunfire ships since Korea - 8" and 6" gun cruisers and destroyers - supported the landings, but their efforts were hampered when the Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer was amongst the first killed. By the end of D-Day, the amphibious and air assault forces had linked up and began a sweep south. Although the operation continued until the Landing Force was re-embarked on 26 May, the greatest number of US casualties occurred on 18 May amongst the scattered air assault force, with 18 US dead:

3rd Plt, C Co, 3rd Tank Bn

1st Lt Louis D. Dobbin, Brighton, MA

Co, 1/3 Marines

Cpl Stanley M. Godwin, Fort Meade, FL
Cpl Russell F. Keck, Okmulgee, OK (Navy Cross)
Cpl Richard L. Land, Hazelwood, MO
L/Cpl Kenneth N. Cheek, Philadelphia, PA
L/Cpl Paul F. Doyon, Ipswich, MA
PFC Charles L. Anderson, Seattle, WA
PFC Mark A. Dalgliesh, Amarillo, TX
Pvt Edward J. Christensen, Bristol, CT

C Company, 1/3 Marines

L/Cpl Franklin G. Hazzard, Leominster, MA

H&S Company, 1/3 Marines

HM3 Michael F. Smith, USN, Fairfax, CA
L/Cpl John J. Nemchik, Trenton, NJ

A Btry, 1/12 Marines

ENS John W. McCormick, USNR, Villanova, PA (Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer) (Silver Star)

By the time the Landing Force was back-loaded on 26 May, the casualty count had increased to 23 killed and 79 wounded in action. The NVA had taken many more casualties and much of their infrastructure had been reduced to rubble by naval gunfire (for example, the destroyer USS SUMNER alone fired over 1100 5" rounds), but since no effort was made to hold the ground the 326B Division eventually returned.

BEAU CHARGER was one of four coordinated assaults into the Demilitarized Zone which divided the two Vietnams. Details of the operation and a listing of known Marines and sailors who died in the fighting between 18 and 29 May 1967 can be found on The Virtual Wall's Operation HICKORY Memorial.

May 31, 1999

November 24, 2006

Lieutenant Dobbin is at rest at the Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY.
Posted by: Michael Robert Patterson
Email: webmaster@arlingtoncemetery.net
Relationship: A grateful American

Fickler, Edwin

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Edwin James Fickler
Date of Birth: May 4, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Kewaskum, WI
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: C-3
TBS Platoon: Pensacola
TBS Class Standing: -
MOS: 7511
Serial Number: 395408403
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: Missing In Action - January 17, 1969

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: Declared KIA – February 4, 1974
casualty Type: Hostile, Died While Missing
Reason: Air Loss, Crash – Land over A Shau Valley
Air or Ground: Fixed Wing – Pilot
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tin
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Not Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 34W - Row 023

REMEMBERANCE

Edwin James Fickler

Captain
H&MS 11, MAG-11, 1ST MAW
United States Marine Corps
04 May 1943 - 04 February 1974
Kewaskum, Wisconsin
Panel 34W Line 023
VMA (AW) 242

Captain Fickler was assigned to H&MS 11, MAG-11, while 2ndLt Kuhlman, of Richmond, Indiana, was assigned to VMA(AW)-242.

The POW Network and Task Force Omega sites both have descriptions of this incident, but they conflict one with the other. TFO claims that "At 2125 hours, Capt. Fickler and 1st Lt. Kuhlman were providing close air support for embattled US and allied troops operating along the east rim of the A Shau Valley. After completing an attack pass on a known enemy position hidden in the rugged jungle covered mountains, the Intruder pulled off target and was struck by enemy ground fire. It was seen by friendly forces to crash approximately 1 mile south of a primary east/west road running from the east side of the A Shau Valley to Hue City." but that seems unlikely.

The VMA(AW)-242 and MAG-11 Command Chronologies for January 1969 contain information on this loss:

The Squadron Command Chronology states that "On the night of 17 January DT-07 [the aircraft side number] with Capt FICKLER and Lt KULHMAN failed to return from their mission in the A Shau Valley. A comprehensive rescue effort was initiated with negative results. Indications point to their being shot down by enemy 37mm guns. However, no wreckage has been sighted."

"First Lieutenant Robert J. KUHLMAN Jr. 094382/7583, USMC, was missing in action 17 January 1969. The aircraft in which he was flying as Bombardier/Navigator was conducting Direct Air Support/Armed Reconnaissance against enemy infiltration routes into South Vietnam. At 2125 the last radio contact with the aircraft was made by REDEYE 05 [the USAF FAC]. A visual and electronic search was conducted in the A Shau Valley, supplemented as conditions warranted by photographic aircraft. The search was discontinued as of 1600 hours 24 January 1969. The results of the search were negative."

The squadron Daily Flight Schedule for 17 Jan 69 shows that Captain Fickler had been scheduled for a beacon bombing mission to launch at 2340. He was swapped with a Major Lono to take an armed recon mission with a scheduled takeoff of 2040. 1stLt Kuhlman was scheduled as the B/N for that mission.

B Co, 1/3 Marines

2nd Lt Joseph T. McKeon, Chicago, IL (Silver Star)
Cpl Orrie E. Macomb, Great Valley, NY
Cpl Clyde U. Mitchell, Winston-Salem, NC
PFC Dennis D. Kramer, Placerville, CA
PFC John T. Wilson, Phoenix, AZ

The MAG-11 Command Chronology states that "On 17 January, an A6A was lost in the A Shau Valley while on a Direct Air Support mission. The Crew is missing in action and the wreckage has not been located." (page 2-1) Although the squadron suggests the possibility that the aircraft was hit by 37mm fire, the intelligence section of the same report indicates that neither the FAC nor the initial SAR forces saw or received AAA fire while in the Valley. Since the wreckage was never located there is no physical evidence.

One of The Virtual Wall staff is an ex-A6 aviator with about 100 missions along the Laotian border and knows that "fast mover" night close air support via visual dive bombing was essentially unheard of - the risk to friendly troops was just too great. Higher altitude level bombing via SKYSPOT radar was used, and offset bombing from a radar beacon using the Intruder's weapons system also was used ... but that too involved higher altitudes and a level delivery. It seems far more likely that the aircraft hit one of the mountainsides while pulling off target. A shallow system dive-bombing run would have been conducted along the long axis of the valley, would have placed the aircraft well below the mountaintops at pull-out, and the normal change of direction after weapons release would have had the aircraft turning toward the hillsides as it came off target at 360 knots (415 mph) or so. Enemy antiaircraft fire may have contributed to the loss, but it could equally have occurred without AAA involvement.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is one who wears his MIA bracelet, Lynne Pozzuto E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

May 31, 2003

Jim will always be with us. We will never forget the sacrifice he made for our country.
Posted by: Kathleen Sigdestad
Relationship: He is my second cousin

February 10, 2004

I just turned 45 yrs. old but can still remember the name I wore on my silver POW bracelet in grammar school. I remember putting blue star stickers next to James Fickler's name on my bracelet and always prayed for him. When names would be released in the newspaper of released prisoners, I always searched for his name on the list. He is with God now and resting in peace. God bless the family left to deal with his loss.
Posted by: Lorraine McCarrick, Robbinsville, NJ
Email: lorraine.mccarrick@bms.com
Relationship: I wore his/her MIA bracelet

November 2, 2004

Jim and I were roommates going through Navy/Marine flight training. We shared many fun times and Fick was always full of energy and spirit. He also was a terrific cook! I remember well the good times Jim had driving his red Corvette! What a great car - bright red with a 427 engine. I got married while in advanced flight training and Jim came to my bride's rescue with some timely cooking lessons. I will always remember him as I am still wearing his POW/MIA bracelet today. I do it for two reasons: 1) To honor Fick's life and service to our great nation; 2) to remind me of my blessings in life and never to take my freedom for granted. I love ya MAN!! Forever, Tom.
Posted by: CAPT Tom Mitchell, USN (Ret)
Email: trm3slm@hotmail.com
Relationship: We served together

March 3, 2005

My sister gave me the bracelet with CAPT Fickler's name on it for my 18th birthday in 1975. I have finally made it to D.C. in 2005. I am going to the wall to find his name. I also keep his bio in our family bible as a remembrance for his family and ours. This was something that my sister believed in.
Posted by: Sonia M. Frees, Seattle
Email: freessm@yahoo.com
Relationship: I wore his/her MIA bracelet

September 20, 2005

I wore your MIA-POW bracelet for several years, until the Viet Nam war ended. I wrote to the Department of the Navy for any information about what happened to you, but they could only tell me that you were missing in action. Finally after 36 years I know what happened that night of January 17, 1969, in your Intruder, and thanks to the internet I found your picture. I have thought of you with a heavy heart so many times over the past 36 years.

Rest well, my friend, I shall never forget you.
Posted by: Lynne Pozzuto
Email: Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

November 10, 2005

I knew Jim just before he went to Vietnam. He had just read a letter from me right before he flew that last mission. To speculate that he could have flown into a mountain is just that - speculation. No one knows what happened unless they were there - I would rather read something from some of his friends than baseless speculation about what happened that tragic night. I will never forget him and think of him often. I went to the Marine Corps Ball with him at Cherry Point in November 1967 - it was a truly magical evening –unforgettable-just like he is.
Posted by: Hilda
Email: hildap@cox.net
Relationship: Friend

December 21, 2005

Jimmy Fickler was my great uncle. I live in Allenton, Wisconsin, a few miles away from Kewaskum. I have his Marine sword. Rest in peace, Uncle Jimmy, wherever you may be.
Posted by: Jake Seitz 5531 Saint Anthony Road, West Bend, Wisconsin 53090
Email: jakeredneck17@hotmail.com
Relationship: Great-nephew

March 7, 2006

To whom it may concern:

Thank you for the information on this web site. As a young child aged seven or eight I proudly wore an MIA bracelet during the Viet Nam war. I don't know what happened to that bracelet, but I remember it very well. It was a single strip of chromed metal with rounded ends that I wore on my right wrist. It had a small circular sticker on it, a white background with a single blue star. The name engraved on the bracelet, "Capt. E. James Fickler", the name of a man I shall never forget.

Although the only thing I knew of him is that he was missing in action, I have always felt a bond with him. My mother - being fiercely patriotic and having a brother in the army during the war - gave me the bracelet. She gave me a sense that the bracelet was important, that it represented a real person, an American. Now, as it was then, he deserves my thoughts, respect, and gratitude.

Having children who are around the same age as Captain Fickler, and me being a veteran who joined the army at an age older than he was when his plane went down, I am struck by how young he really was. I will keep his picture and continue to remember him often. Thank you for providing closure to the mystery of an honored soul who has always been, and will forever be a part of my life.
Posted by: Stephen Douglas
Email: Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

June 1, 2006

To whom it may concern:

Thank you for this site. I proudly wore your bracelet while in high school. I take it out of a safe deposit box each Memorial Day. It's difficult to explain how close you can become with someone you don't know. I too will never forget the name of Captain E. James Fickler.
Posted by: Rocky Grimes
Email: chilkoot@hotmail.com

July 5, 2006

I also wore your bracelet while in high school and still have this bracelet. I look at it often and say a prayer for you. I always wanted to put a picture to the name I will never forget.
Posted by: Carolina Evans
Email: evanscarolina@hotmail.com

April 25, 2007

My bracelet says "James E Fickler" and it wasn't until years later, on the internet, that I discovered that it should have read "Edwin J. Fickler".

I bought that bracelet in either late 1969 or 1970 and wore it during the remainder of the conflict, including my tour of duty there.

The bracelet now sits on my coffee table, in plain sight, so that I and guests to my house will never forget your sacrifice.

Rest peacefully, my friend.
Posted by: John Derickson
Email: johnderickson@yahoo.com

May 19, 2007

I am glad to find this site and to learn more about the man on the MIA bracelet I wore in high school and college. The war ended while I was in ROTC at the University of Mississippi, but my instructors had served in Vietnam and they allowed me to wear the bracelet while in uniform. 30+ years later I thank them for that. When I was commissioned and went on active duty, I had to put the bracelet away. While looking through a box of keepsakes, I came across the small box containing my bracelet. My first thought was to check the internet and it took me straight to this site. Thank you. Your information fills a void and makes me feel even closer.
Posted by: LTC(R) Drue B. Garrison
Email: Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

August 17, 2007

I also wore Capt. E. James Fickler's P. O. W. bracelet for many years. (I didn't know they issued more than one for each MIA.) I prayed for your safe return, and have always thought of you ... especially on January 19th. Isn’t it something how, without knowing him or even what he looked like, he touched my life and Lynne's too. I just found my bracelet this morning, and thanks to this web site I have a handsome face to help me remember this hero. Rest in peace, Captain Fickler.
Posted by: Tina Pilliter Monroe, Riverside, CA
Email: mtinamxx@yahoo.com

A Note from the Virtual Wall

The A-6 Intruder was designed for single-aircraft night/bad-weather low-level attack missions, but such missions carry risks other than those imposed by enemy gunners. On 17 Jan 1969 an A-6A, BuNo 152586, flown by Capt Edwin J. Fickler and then-2^nd Lt Robert J. Kuhlman was tasked with a night low-level strike in the A Shau Valley in northwestern South Vietnam. As usual, the A-6 was unaccompanied and radar contact with the aircraft was lost as it entered mountainous terrain west of DaNang. The crew did check in with a Forward Air Controller who assigned them a target area but then lost contact with them.

Quite simply, the aircraft disappeared, victim to either enemy antiaircraft fire or a ground collision. Search and rescue efforts failed to locate wreckage or either crewman. Both men were classed as Missing in Action and remained in that status until the Secretary of the Navy approved Presumptive Findings of Death, Fickler on 04 Feb 1974 and Kuhlman on 16 June 1978.

Filpi, John

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: John Taylor Filpi
Date of Birth: September 14, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Glenview, IL
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: C-2
TBS Platoon: D-2
TBS Class Standing: 390
MOS: 0801
Serial Number: 093095
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - January 31, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 14E - Row 100

REMEMBERANCE

Fitzgerald, George

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: George Richard Fitzgerald
Date of Birth: February 9, 1944
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Bridgeport, CT
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: NROTC
TBS Platoon: E-2
TBS Class Standing: 299
MOS: 0301
Serial Number: 092576
Component (Reserve or Regular): Regular
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - September 17, 1966
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri / Cam Lo – Operation Prairie
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 10E - Row 106

REMEMBERANCE

1 Bn/4^th Marines

Ford, Douglas

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Douglas O. Ford
Date of Birth: February 18, 1942
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Glen Rock, NJ
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: B-4
TBS Platoon: E-2
TBS Class Standing: 112
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 093107
Component (Reserve or Regular): Regular
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: March 7, 1970

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - January 10, 1971
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 05W - Row 037

REMEMBERANCE

November 27, 1998

Capt Ford was my company commander (Echo Company, 2nd Bn, 5th Regt, 1st Mar Div).

He was the 4th company commander I had during my tour and the best. He loved his troops, knew his tactics, and was a fine person. When Capt Ford came to the company, I didn't quite know what kind of person he was. I challenged him in front of my platoon to a shooting contest and he roundly beat me. Capt Ford did not mock me but showed me and my buddies how to improve our marksmanship. He was a classy person and I will always remember the shooting match on the side of a road connecting An Hoa and Liberty Bridge. Capt Ford and the Bn Operations Officer, Major Ram died when their chopper landed to extract a wounded Marine and one of them stepped on a mine.

I will always remember Capt Ford as one of the finest individuals I have ever met.
Posted by: John S. O'Keeffe, Worthington, Ohio
Relationship: Fellow Marine

February 18, 2001

When Doug Ford reported aboard in 2^ndBn 5^th Marines, he was initially assigned as C.O. H&S Co. I was his X.O. As the oldest child in my family, I never had a big brother, till I met Doug Ford. I will never forget the close day to day working relationship and the informal evenings in our shared hooch talking about everything imaginable. His friendship and memory are recalled every day of my life. I am honored to have known Capt. Douglas O. Ford and later his mother and sisters.

I will always remember Capt Ford as one of the finest individuals I have ever met.
Posted by: John S. O'Keeffe, Worthington, Ohio
Relationship: Fellow Marine

December 12, 2004

Douglas is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Posted by: Robert Sage
e-Mail: rsage@austin.rr.com

Goodwin, Forrest

Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Forrest Goodwin
Date of Birth: April 17, 1941
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Tylertown, MS
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: AOC
TBS Platoon: D-2
TBS Class Standing: 453
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 091778
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - March 2, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: Silver Star & Purple Heart
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 16E - Row 002

REMEMBERANCE

Forrest Goodwin
First Lieutenant
L CO, 3RD BN, 3RD MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
17 April 1941 - 02 March 1967
Tylertown, Mississippi

07 Nov 2003
You will always be remembered.
One of three of my Basic School roommates who were killed in action.
Semper Fi, Marines
Joe
Joe Hancharick, Jr.
6125 7th Street, King George, VA 22485
joeh@crosslink.net

A Note from the Virtual Wall
At the beginning of March 1967 the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, was conducting a battalion sweep in the vicinity of Con Thien. At 1530 02 March Lima 3/3 uncovered a large enemy base camp. Attacked as they set up for an assault on the camp, Lima 3/3 lost two officers and eight men:

1st Lt Forrest Goodwin, Tylertown, MS (Silver Star)
2nd Lt Terry G. Heekin, Covina, CA
Cpl Richard B. Blinder, Los Angeles, CA
Cpl Richard S. Graham, Latrobe, PA
Cpl Richard W. Strahl, Glendale, AZ
PFC John W. Barker, Coal City, IN
PFC John W. Hanscom, Reading, MA
PFC Jackie L. Harris, Richmond, VA
PFC Robert E. Martin, Hickory Hills, IL
PFC John P. O'Donnell, Youngstown, OH

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a roommate at The Basic School, Quantico,
Joe Hancharick, Jr.

November 2, 2003

Will always remember my 3 KIA TBS roommates: Forrest Goodwin, Bob Holt and Lou Dobbins..
Semper Fi, Marines. Joe.
Posted by: Joe Hancharick
e-Mail: joeh@crosslink.net
Relationship: We served together

January 1, 2006

1st Lt Goodwin was my platoon commander when he was with Hotel Co 2/9 Marines. He was transferred to 3rd Bn, 3rd Marines and was killed on 3/2/67 around Khe Sanh. He was a very good man. I was sorry to hear of his death.
Posted by: Pete Rivera
Email: privera67@aol.com
Relationship: Former platoon member

May 27, 2006

Memorial Day 2006 - Least we not forget - 2nd Platoon Lima Company.
Posted by: Sgt. D. Lemke - Plt Sgt
Email: bohasha@msn.com
Relationship: We served together

June 29, 2006

I, Sgt. D. Lemke was with you my brother. March 1 to March 6. Operation Prairie, Prairie 1, 3rd BN. 3rd MAR. 3rd MAR. DIV.
Posted by: Sgt. D. Lemke - Plt Sgt
Email: bohasha@msn.com
Relationship: We served together

Hackett, David

Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: David Spencer Hackett
Date of Birth: September 6, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Ligonier, PA
College: Princeton

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: NROTC
TBS Platoon: E-2
TBS Class Standing: 5
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 092088
Component (Reserve or Regular): ReGULAR
Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - April 30, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri / Hill 881 South
Postumous Promotion or Award: Silver Star & Purple Heart
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 18E - Row 122

REMEMBERANCE

1^st Lt. Hackett was the Executive Officer for Hotel CO, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division when he was killed by a sniper in the Battalion’s thrust to capture Hill 881N, approximately 7 kilometers North West of the Combat Base at Khe Sanh.

August 20, 1999
I was the Medical Officer (BAS) for 2/3/3 Mar Div. and remember him well.

To me, David was truly the "All American Boy" in the finest sense of the word. He was bright, athletic, personable, hard working, and from my non-military view point, placed his troops welfare ahead of his at all times. On top of this he played guitar. I was envious.

The hill fights around Khe Sanh did none of us any good. I was crushed on this date of 30 April, 1967. I felt I had lost a younger brother who was better and brighter than most of us. I still do. Posted by: Richard A. Nivala MD
e-Mail: dpnivala@compuserve.com
Relationship: Comrade

January 1, 2006

I didn't know posting a remembrance was possible until one of our Princeton “Class of 1965” classmates pointed it out recently. So today, on Veterans Day 2002, I simply want to honor Dave Hackett and say that I have visited his name on the Wall on virtually every trip I have made to DC for the past 20 years. His basic decency, natural leadership, and a kind of quiet nobility were well established even as a young man in college. I remember him well and miss him. still.
Posted by: Beau Carter
Relationship: We were college classmates

Hayes, Wayne

Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Wayne Michael Hayes
Date of Birth: August 10, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Menomonie, WI
College: Olivet Nazarene University

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: D-2
TBS Class Standing: 213
MOS: 1802
Serial Number: 093170
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - July 6, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died Wounds
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri / Con Tien
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 23E - Row 018

REMEMBERANCE

July 7, 1999
Wayne was the best man in my wedding on August 14, 1965. He attended college with my husband and I. We were great friends. All of his friends from Olivet Nazarene University miss him greatly.
Posted by: Julie (Clipper) Wiseman, ONU 1969
Relationship: Friend

November 11, 2002

You bought me my first baseball glove when I was seven. You died just before I turned nine. I will always wonder what might have been had you lived. I knew you only through the eyes of a little boy. I wish I could have known you through the eyes of a man. All these years later I still get a special lump in my throat when the National Anthem is played at baseball games. Thanks for the glove, your love, and your unselfish example. In God's providence, I pray we will meet again.
Posted by: Charles H. Hayes
Relationship: He is my brother

January 2, 2009

I didn’t know Wayne personally, although he was in my Basic School Company - Delta. He was in D-2, while I was in D-3. I have learned subsequently that he was born two days before me on August 10, 1943. I learned of the circumstances of his death while reading Keith William Nolan’s book, “Operation Buffalo: USMC Fight for the DMZ”. I served with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines from mid-July 1966 to February 25, 1967, but it was the later ambush of Bravo Company on July 2, 1967 that kicked off what became known as “Operation Buffalo”. The overview is that an NVA Regiment was moving toward Con Thien with the intent of overrunning the fire base. Bravo Company was screening Con Thien to the northeast. The two forces clashed and due the overwhelming numerical superiority, Bravo Company was nearly annihilated. Bravo Company left 34 MIA (presumed dead) on the battlefield on July 2nd. Having fixed a substantial enemy force, two additional infantry battalions were tasked with recovering the Bravo Company MIAs and shielding Con Thien from the enemy assault. The battalions that were tasked with these missions were 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines led by Major Willard J. Woodring, who had been Wayne’s Company Commander at Basic School and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines led by Lt.Col. Peter A. Wickwire. 3/9 was arrayed to the west of Route 561 and 1/3 was arrayed to the east of Route 561, just south of the intersection of Route 605. As the battle raged from July 2nd through July 5th, more Marine units were being fed into the battle by the 3rd Marine Division headquarters. One of those units was a platoon of tanks (5) from Charlie Company , 3rd Tank Battalion, led by 1st Lt. Wayne M. Hayes. When the tanks arrive at the front, the platoon was split into a heavy section (3 tanks) and a light section (2 tanks). 1st Lt. Hayes leading the heavy section was attached to Bravo Company, 1/3 under the command of Captain Burrell H. Landes. The tanks were placed in a reserve position behind the front line of the company. The following morning, 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company 1/3 under the command of 2nd Lt. John V. Francis was in heavy contact with NVA forces. The NVA armament included a 57mm recoilless rifle. The commanding officer of Charlie Company 1/3, Captain Gerald F. Reczek contacted Captain Landes (Bravo 1/3) and asked him to send a platoon to shore up his company that was being devastated by the recoilless rifle. Captain Landes ordered his 3rd platoon commander, 2nd Lt. George C. Norris to move with the tanks to reinforce Charlie 2. As 1st Lt. Hayes tank broke through the tree line where Charlie 2 was heavily engaged, he delivered several rounds of devastating high explosive fire on the opposing tree line, where the 57mm recoilless rifle was located. There was no response from opposing tree line for several minutes. It is presumed that the crew of the recoilless rifle was killed by the 1st Lt. Hayes’s fire, but replacements were fed into the position through agricultural trenches beyond the tree line and the recoilless rifle re-engaged. Keith Nolan described what happened next as follows:

“A single 57mm round penetrated Lieutenant Hayes’s tank where the turret met the deck. Hatches popped open and smoke poured out, and flak –jacketed crewmen scrambled out – like cats out of water, thought Lance Corporal Kalwara – bringing out with them Lieutenant Hayes, who had a sucking chest wound. They dragged him behind the tank. A hospital corpsman from Lieutenant Norris’s Bravo Three, performed an emergency tracheotomy under fire to keep Hayes alive (Captain Landes subsequently recommended the young corpsman for a Bronze Star); the tank-platoon commander was too far gone, though, to survive his medevac ride.”

Posted by: David Mellon
Relationship: Basic School Classmate

Holt, Robert

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Robert Alan Holt
Date of Birth: June 13, 1942
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Reading, MA
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: D-2
TBS Class Standing: 139
MOS: 7582
Serial Number: 017322564
Component (Reserve or Regular): Regular
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: September 19, 1968

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - September 19, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Air Loss, Crash - Land
Country: North Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: Unknown
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 43E - Row 037

REMEMBERANCE

Robert Alan Holt
Captain
VMFA-542, MAG-11, 1ST MAW
United States Marine Corps
13 June 1942 - 19 September 1968
Reading, Massachusetts
Panel 43W Line 037

November 7, 2003 - A Note from the Virtual Wall

On 19 Sep 1968, Captain John A. La Voo , pilot, and Captain Robert A. Holt, RIO, participated in a strike on a storage site near Mai Xa Ha, about 13 miles north of the DMZ. On his second pass at the target, La Voo's F-4B (BuNo 152232) was hit by enemy fire and continued its dive until ground impact. Neither crewman ejected from the aircraft.

Both men were classed as Killed in Action, Body not Recovered. After several excavation efforts at the crash site, human remains were recovered in September 1994. On 19 May 1999, the Defense Department announced that the remains had been positively identified as those of La Voo and Holt, and the two men were buried in Arlington National Cemetery on 19 July 1999.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a roommate at The Basic School, Quantico,
Will always be remembered.
One of three of my TBS roommates who were killed in action.

Semper Fi, Marines, Joe

Joe Hancharick, Jr.
6125 7th St., King George, Va 22485
Email: joeh@crosslink.net

January 30, 2006

Will always remember my 3 KIA TBS roommates: Forrest Goodwin, Bob Holt and Lou Dobbins..
Semper Fi, Marines. Joe.
Posted by: Joe Hancharick
e-Mail: joeh@crosslink.net
Relationship: We served together

January 1, 2006

My own research indicates a small error with the events surrounding the burial of Captain LaVoo and Captain Holt. I only submit this information since, to my knowledge, their Arlington Cemetery internment is unique.

In July 1992, a joint United States/Vietnamese team, led by the Joint Task Force-Full Accounting, visited the suspected area of the crash to interview several informants with firsthand knowledge of the crash site.

One of the informants turned over remains that were said to have been taken from the crash site. The team also examined some aircraft wreckage in the possession of the villagers.

Another joint team re-interviewed one of the informants in August 1993, while another team, in January 1994, surveyed the crash site again and recommended it for excavation.

Then, in May 1994, excavation team members recovered numerous crew-related items as well as human remains.

A fifth team continued the excavation in June and July 1994 and recovered additional remains and crew-related artifacts.

A sixth team completed the excavation in August 1994, recovering some further artifacts, but no remains.

Anthropological analysis of the remains and other evidence by the United States Army Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii, confirmed the following:
     1. Some remains were identified as belonging to Captain La Voo;
     2. Some remains were identified as belonging to Captain Holt; and
     3. Some remains could not be identified as belonging to either man.

Therefore, on July 19th of 1999, an unusual and unique ceremony was held in Arlington National Cemetery. With full military honors, the identifiable remains of Captain John Allan La Voo were interred. In a separate plot next to Captain La Voo, the unidentifiable remains of both crewmen were interred. The identifiable remains of Captain Robert Alan Holt were returned to his father, transported to Reading, and formally interred at Forest Glen Cemetery, where his mother was buried.

From a hometown researcher for American Legion Post 62.
Posted by: Larry Goulet, SCPO, USN (Ret)
Email: honcho13@comcast.net

Howell, Gatlin

Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Gatlin Jerryl Howell
Date of Birth: November 7, 1935
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: Nancy
Children's Names: Jay – 1965 & Mark – 1967
Home of Record: Colma, CA
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: D-3
TBS Class Standing: 29
MOS: 0312
Serial Number: 093190
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Start of Tour: July 19, 1966

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - July 7, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Artillery, Rocket, Mortar
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: Navy Cross & Purple Heart
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 23E - Row 028

REMEMBERANCE

At the time of his death he was the S-2 for 1st Battalion, 9th Marines serving at the Combat Base at Con Thien.

June 17, 2001

Served as the Intelligence Officer with the First Battalion, ninth Marines, third Marine Division ( Reinforced) Fleet Marine Force and was a posthumous recipient of the NAVY CROSS & PURPLE HEART.

You are not forgotten nor shall you ever be.

Citation for award of the Navy Cross to 1st Lieutenant Gatlin Jerryl Howell:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as Intelligence Officer, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam from 2 to 7 July 1967.

While manning the command bunker at Con Thien on 2 July, First Lieutenant Howell was closely monitoring the progress of Company B, First Battalion, as it became heavily engaged with an estimated two battalions of North Vietnamese Army Regulars near the Demilitarized Zone. When the unit suffered heavy casualties and was in danger of being overrun, he volunteered to lead a relief force to rescue the beleaguered Marines.

Displaying exceptional leadership and tactical skill during his advance, he fearlessly exposed himself to enemy mortar and small-arms fire as he kept the relief column intact, pointing out directions of fire for the tanks and providing effective flank security as he moved rapidly to Company B's position. Immediately evaluating the situation when he arrived in the battle area, he established a defensive perimeter and moved to rescue the forward elements of the besieged company. As he searched for the wounded, he observed two men in a hole fifteen meters beyond the friendly lines.

With complete disregard for his own safety, First Lieutenant Howell ran through heavy small-arms fire to treat the men and carry them to the safety of the perimeter. When his right flank was threatened by a North Vietnamese squad, he directed heavy fire against the assaulting force, undoubtedly saving the lives of at least three injured Marines caught between the enemy and the friendly lines.

Subject to intense enemy mortar and artillery fire and road mines that disabled two tanks, he moved the casualties to the landing zone. After ensuring that the casualty evaluation process was well under way, he refused medical treatment for himself and instead returned to the forward area to determine that all of the wounded had been moved.

During a rocket attack on 7 July at Con Thien, First Lieutenant Howell was killed in action. By his intrepid fighting spirit, daring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty at great personal risk, First Lieutenant Howell was instrumental in saving many of his fellow Marines from capture, injury or possible death, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Posted by: Clay Marston

December 10, 2003

The account in which this Marine lost his life is remarkable in its intensity. Go to the library (out of print book) and get “Operation Buffalo: The USMC Fight for the DMZ” by Keith Nolan.
Posted by: L. Raymond

August 22, 2004

Gatlin is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery.
Posted by: Robert Sage
Email: rsage@austin.rr.com

April 18, 2007

All Was Not Well — Marine Lt. fought and died paying a debt to Government.
By George Esper

Saigon (AP) - Lt. Gatlin "Jerry" Howell was slightly wounded in sharp fighting between US Marines and North Vietnamese along the demilitarized zone on July 4 and relayed word to his wife: "All is well. I'll be home in 27 more days." Today Jerry Howell, 31, was dead. Enemy gunfire got him Friday.

This was a war he didn't really have to fight, but he believed in it, and he volunteered for it because, as he said one day last week: "The government paid my way through college. I never really did anything for them. Now my debt is paid in full."

Howell had said that at heart he was "really a dove" and would welcome peace but that he believed in the cause for which he was fighting in Vietnam. Looking around at the enlisted men with him, he had explained that all of them had volunteered for combat duty.

A week ago, the Marine lieutenant had looked forward to a reunion with his wife, Nancy, in Alameda, Calif., and their two children, Jay, 2 1/2, and Mark, 4 months, who was born while Howell was in Vietnam.

An enlisted man knew Howell had only a short time left to serve and suggested it would be a wonderful feeling when the lieutenant got aboard the airplane taking him home. "If I ever get the hell out of this place," Howell told the enlisted man.

Howell had served in the Marines as an enlisted man from 1953 until 1956, then was discharged, and his college studies were financed under the GI Bill. He had been teaching physical education and coaching track at Pelton Junior High School in the Hunter's Point section of San Francisco in recent years. Less than two years ago he took a leave of absence and enlisted in the Marines again for a three-year tour with the intention of coming to Vietnam. He went to Marine Officer's Candidate School and was commissioned a lieutenant, then shipped to Vietnam for a 13-month tour.

He was wounded slightly while helping recover the bodies of fellow Marines killed in a bloody battle nine days ago just south of the DMZ. The Marines were from a company he had served as a platoon leader until a month ago, when he made intelligence officer for his battalion.

After the recovery operation, Howell went back to battalion headquarters at Con Thien, a Marine outpost just 1 1/2 miles south of the demilitarized zone that has come under a steady bombardment of North Vietnamese rockets and artillery.

Last Thursday, North Vietnamese gunners fired more than 800 rounds of artillery, rockets and mortars on Con Thien. Howell survived the heavy shelling.

The next day, one shell from a Communist long-range 152m artillery piece hit directly on the battalion command post at Con Thien. Howell and eight other Marines were killed.
SEMPER FIDELIS, SIR!

Posted by: Jim McIlhenney
Email: christianamacks@comcast.net
Relationship: Marine Viet Nam Veteran

Johnson, Lyle

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Lyle Albert Johnson
Date of Birth: August 16, 1942
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Great Falls, Montana
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: E-3
TBS Class Standing: 362
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 093206
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - October 5, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No CHange
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 27E - Row 054

REMEMBERANCE

Kempner, Marion

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Marion Lee Kempner
Date of Birth: April 16, 1942
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Galveston, TX
College: Duke University

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: E-3
TBS Class Standing: 178
MOS: 0301
Serial Number: 093225
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - November 11, 1966
casualty Type: Hostile, Died of Wounds
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Artillery, Rocket, Mortar
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri – Operation Prairie II
Postumous Promotion or Award: Purple Heart
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 12E - Row 055

REMEMBERANCE

November 23, 1999

Sandy Kempner was from a wealthy and illustrious Galveston family. If anyone could have avoided this war and sat it out in grad school it was he. Instead, he became a Marine officer and received two purple hearts, the second awarded for his mortal wounds. I was privileged to serve as an officer two years after his death in the same Regiment, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. I am also from Galveston, but didn't know him while growing up there. His family placed his books and other memorabilia in a room called Sandy's room at the Rosenberg library in Galveston. It is a nice quiet place to sit and read and be reminded that it was not just the poor and underprivileged who fought and died in Southeast Asia. He is one of 31 Galvestonians who gave their lives for their country in that fight. Come visit the Rosenberg library and remember him if you get to Galveston.

Posted by: Michael J.W. Remme
e-Mail: mrem@flash.net
Relationship: Fellow Galvestonian

February 20, 2008

The following letter from “Sandy” to his family was posted on the website:
http://www3.niu.edu/acad/history/sp99/vn.htm

2 September, 1966 Dear Mom, Dad, Shrub, the Egg and Peach:

Sorry to be so long in writing, but I have just come back from an abortion called Operation Jackson. I spent a three-day "walk in the sun" (and paddies and fields and mountains and impenetrable jungle and saw grass and ants, and screwed-up radios and no word, and deaf radio operators, and no chow, and too many C-rations, and blisters and torn trousers and jungle rot, and wet socks and sprained ankles and no heels, and, and, and) for a battalion that walked on roads and dikes the whole way and a regiment that didn't even know where the battalion was, finished off by a 14,000-meter forced march on a hard road.

My God, the epic poems I could write to that ambrosia of Marine Corps cuisine-peanut butter and/or hot coffee after three days of that! The only person in the whole battalion to see a VC was, of course, me. I was walking along a trail doing a village sweep all alone, and here comes Charlie, rifle in hand, with not a care in the world until he sees me, and then it's a race to see if he can get off the road before I can draw my .45 and get off an accurate shot (he won). Of course, there was an incident when four snipers took on the battalion, which promptly, more to release the weight of all that unexpended ammunition than anything else, threw everything at them but the Missouri; and that would have been there too, except it could not get up the Sang Tra Bong [River]. So goes about $50,000 worth of ammo. They probably played it up as a second Iwo Jima at home, but it wasn't.

Then, two days after we got back, we played Indian Scout, and my platoon splashed its way through a rice paddy at 3 0 30 in the morning in a rainstorm to surround a hamlet, which we managed to do somehow without alerting everyone in the district, which is surprising as we made enough noise to wake up a Marine sentry. it was "very, successful" since we managed to kill a few probably innocent civilians, found a few caves -and burned a few houses, all in a driving rainstorm. There's nothing much more, I'm afraid.

Love,
Sandy

2nd Lt. Marion Lee ("Sandy") Kempner, born in Galveston, Texas, in 1942, was a platoon leader with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1St Marine Division, operating in I Corps. He arrived in country in July 1966. He was killed by shrapnel from a mine explosion on 11 November 1966.

February 21, 2008

The following letter from Sandy to his great-aunt was found on the following website:

http://www.stfrancis.edu/en/student/thingsnotes.html

Dear Aunt Fannie,

This morning my platoon and I were finishing up a three-day patrol.Struggling over steep hills covered with hedgerows, trees, and generally impenetrable jungle, one of my men turned to me and pointed a hand, filled with cuts and scratches, at a rather distinguished-looking plant with soft red flowers waving gaily in the downpour (which had been going on ever since the patrol began) and said, "That is the first plant I have seen today which didn't have thorns on it."I immediately thought of you.

The plant, and the hill upon which it grew, was also representative of Vietnam. It is a country of thorns and cuts, of guns and marauding, of little hope and of great failure. Yet, in the midst of it all, a beautiful thought, gesture, and even person can arise among it waving bravely at the death that pours down upon it. Some day this hill will be burned by napalm, and the red flower will crackle up and die among the thorns. So what was the use of it living and being a beauty among the beasts, if it must, in the end, die because of them, and with them? This is a question which is answered by Gertrude Stein's "A rose is a rose is a rose." You are what you are what you are. Whether you believe in God, fate, or the crumbling cookie, elements are so mixed in a being that make him what he is; his salvation from the thorns around him lies in the fact that he existed at all, in his very own personality .There once was a time when the Jewish idea of heaven and hell was the thoughts and opinions people had of you after you died. But what if the plant was on an isolated hill and was never seen by anyone? That is like the question of whether the falling tree makes a sound in the forest primeval when no one is there to hear it. It makes a sound, and the plant was beautiful and the thought was kind, and the person was humane, and distinguished and brave, not merely because other people recognized it as such, but because it is, and it is.

The flower will always live in the memory of a tired wet marine, and has thus achieved a sort of immortality. But even if we had never gone on that hill, it would still be a distinguished, soft, red, thorn-less flower growing among the cutting, scratching plants, and that in itself is its own reward.

Love,
Sandy

(On 11 November 1966, less than three weeks after he wrote this letter to his great-aunt Mrs. Louis Adoue, Marine 2Lt. Marion Lee Kempner, from Galveston, Texas, was killed by a mine explosion near Tien Dao (1), south of Chu Lai. After he disarmed one mine, another was tripped by one of his men. Although wounded by shrapnel, Lt. Kempner ordered the corpsman to take care of the other wounded man first . He died aboard a medevac en route to the hospital. He was 24 years old)

Kent, Robert

Rank: Captain
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Robert Duane Kent
Date of Birth: December 6, 1940
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Dallas, TX
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: D-3
TBS Platoon: Pensacola
TBS Class Standing: -
MOS: 7521
Serial Number: 434588412
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: December 20, 1968 – Missing over Laos

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: Declared KIA – June 24, 1974
casualty Type: Hostile, Died While Missing
Reason: Air Loss, Crash – Land
Air or Ground: Fixed Wing - Pilot
Country: Laos
Province: Savannakhet
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Not Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 36W - Row 052

REMEMBERANCE

May 25, 1999

You don't know me, we never met, just a fellow Marine, who served in Viet-Nam, many years ago, the POW/MIA Bracelets were popular, I requested one of a Marine. And I was sent one silver in color, with your Name, Rank and date of listed as missing 12-20-68

I want you to know that all these years and even now 5-25-99, I still wear this bracelet and will till you come home and are listed home.

My thoughts are always with you and forever will be.....
Sempter Fi

Posted by: John Gordoski
e-Mail: bear@arkansas.net
Relationship: Fellow Marine

August 21, 2000

My mother always wore a copper MIA bracelet with the name "Capt. Robert Kent 12-20-68" on it. She always hoped that one day; she would learn that he came home. When she died in 1993 the bracelet was left to me. To this day, the bracelet is on my dresser, and I keep Capt. Kent and his family in my thoughts and prayers, even though we never met. America has not forgotten her MIAs.

Posted by: Carol E. Zanetti
Relationship: I wore his/her MIA bracelet

September 24, 2001

Robert is my cousin and we know him as (Bobby). He is still missed very much. We hope one day we will know all we can about what really happened to Him.

Posted by: Gloria A. Bristow
Relationship: My Cousin

May 26, 2003

I have had a copper bracelet in my possession since 1968 for Capt Robert Kent. I have wondered many times if he ever came home. I am so saddened to find out today that he did not. My prayers have been with him all these 35 years.

Posted by: Linda Borgman
Relationship: I wore his/her MIA bracelet

July 29, 2003

It was an honor serving with you. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
Semper Fi

Posted by: Carl Turner
Relationship: We served together

July 3, 2005

I started wearing Capt Kent's MIA bracelet when I was 12 years old - I have continued all these years to think and pray for him and his family - I will continue to do so until they bring him home. Many thanks to all our veterans for the incredible sacrifices you have made and continue to make to secure my freedom. May God Continue To Bless America.

Posted by: Susan Fisher
e-Mail: suzokie@sbcglobal.net
Relationship: I wore Capt Kents bracelet

February 20, 2008

The following information was found on the website: www.captainrobertdkent.gunnysite.com

Captain Kent was flying F-4B Phantoms with VMFA-314 “The Black Knights”, MAG-13, 1st MAW out of Chu Lai, when his aircraft was lost during a bombing run over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. Captain Kent was listed as Missing In Action (MIA) from December 20, 1968, until he was declared dead (KIA) on July 24, 1974. Detailed information is recorded below:

SYNOPSIS

The McDonnell F4 Phantom used by Air Force, Marine and Navy air wings served a multitude of functions including fighter/bomber, interceptor, photo/electronic surveillance, and reconnaissance. The two man aircraft was extremely fast (Mach 2) and had a long range, 900 - 2300 miles depending on stores and mission type. The F4 was also extremely maneuverable and handled well at low and high altitudes. It was selected for a number of state-of-the-art electronics conversions, which improved radar intercept and computer bombing capabilities enormously. Most pilots considered it one of the "hottest" planes around.

On 20 December 1968 Capt. Robert D. Kent, pilot, and 1st Lt. Richard G. Morin, bombardier/navigator, comprised the crew of an F-4B s/n 149411, modex 12/VW that departed their base on a night bombing mission to interdict enemy movement through the jungle covered mountains approximately 11 miles southwest of Muang Xepon, 7 miles northeast of Muang Phin and 25 miles west of the Lao/South Vietnamese border, Savannakhet Province, Laos.

This area of Laos was considered a major artery of the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail. When North Vietnam began to increase its military strength in South Vietnam, NVA and Viet Cong troops again intruded on neutral Laos for sanctuary, as the Viet Minh had done during the war with the French some years before.

This border road was used by the Communists to transport weapons, supplies and troops from North Vietnam into South Vietnam, and was frequently no more than a path cut through the jungle covered mountains. US forces used all assets available to them to stop this flow of men and supplies from moving south into the war zone.

At 0340 hours, while conducting its bombing mission, the F-4B s/n 149411, modex 12/VW disappeared without a trace. Search and Rescue (SAR) efforts were initiated at first light, but heard no emergency radio beacons, saw no parachutes and found no trace of the aircraft or its crew. Both Bob Kent and Richard Morin were listed as Missing in Action. On July 24, 1974 the United States Govt. had declared Captain Robert D Kent status as:

HOSTILE, DIED WHILE MISSING
FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
BODY NOT RECOVERED

Sources:
Compiled from one or more of the following:
Raw data from U.S. Government agency sources,
Correspondence with POW/MIA families,
Published Sources, Interviews.
Updated by the P.O.W. NETWORK in 1998.

Lama, Ivars

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed in Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Ivars Lama
Date of Birth: October 31, 1937
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Bamberg, SC
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: B-2
TBS Platoon: D-3
TBS Class Standing: 36
MOS: 0301
Serial Number: 093247
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: Declared KIA – September 11, 1966
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 10E - Row 087

REMEMBERANCE

McCarty, Glenn

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Died

PERSONAL

Full Name: Glenn Murray McCarty
Date of Birth: June 6, 1943
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: Mary Electra
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Fredonia, NY
College: Fredonia State College

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: A-2
TBS Platoon: D-3
TBS Class Standing: 286
MOS: 1301
Serial Number: 093281
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: Died – March 28, 1967
casualty Type: Non-Hostile, Died Other
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 17E - Row 063

REMEMBERANCE

March 28, 2005

Glenn is buried at Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, NY.

Posted by: Robert Sage
e-Mail: rsage@austin.rr.com

Romero, Robert

Rank: Captain
Killed In Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Robert William Romero
Date of Birth: March 12, 1942
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: San Diego, CA
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: C-2
TBS Platoon: Pensacola/CH46
TBS Class Standing: -
MOS: 7562
Serial Number: 093402
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: September 19, 1967

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA – April 28, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Air Loss, Crash - Land
Air or Ground: Helicopter - Pilot
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 52E - Row 042

REMEMBERANCE

September 24, 2003

I remember the last of many heroic events in your life, as though it were a brief moment ago. On the ground looking up, watching you -- hovering in the air -- with no protection; I am an eye witness to your bravery, few men can match. I never knew you, but like others in life, you will forever be a part of me. I will always remember you on that day.

Posted by: Larry
e-Mail: Lpeeples100@cs.com
Relationship: Corpsman, India 3/1

Rumley, Robert Jr.

Rank: Captain
Died of Wounds

PERSONAL

Full Name: Robert Patrick Rumley Jr.
Date of Birth: August 5, 1942
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Boston, MA
College: Boston College

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: A-2
TBS Platoon: E-4
TBS Class Standing: 261
MOS: 0301
Serial Number: 093411
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain, at time of death
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: DOW – May 18, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Died of wounds incurred on September 2, 1966
Air or Ground: Air
Country: South Vietnam
Province: -
Postumous Promotion or Award: Distinguished Flying Cross & Purple Heart
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 14E - Row 095

REMEMBERANCE

May 19, 2006

The following article appeared in the 19 May 2006 online edition of The Washington Post:
After a 38-Year Wait, An Etching on the Wall, 4 Names Join Vietnam Veterans Memorial
By Sue Anne Pressley Montes
Washington Post Staff Writer

Everyone else knew him as "Red," because of his flaming hair. But at home, he was always "Bobby," his family said. And he was a good, big brother.

Robert Patrick Rumley Jr. died at age 25 on May 18, 1968, from wounds he suffered as a Marine captain in Vietnam. But it took exactly 38 years -- and the determined efforts of his siblings -- to get his name etched on the black granite expanse of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

"Obviously, this means a great sense of closure -- it's like having a wound heal properly," said his brother, Mark Rumley, 53, of Boston as he stood next to the Wall yesterday. "But more than that, I think its best described as an affirmation of the truth about our brother's sacrifice. And he's finally taking his place with his comrades."

Four names, including Rumley's, were added this week to the monument in what has become nearly an annual ritual. Almost every year at this time, just before Memorial Day, a few more names are inscribed after approval by the Department of Defense, said Lisa Gough, spokeswoman for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The names are usually etched in whatever empty spaces are available, she said, and placed as close as possible to others with the same casualty dates. In most instances, these names were not included when the Wall was erected in 1982 because of lost medical records, other missing documents or some other oversight.

Often, as in Rumley's case, it is the relatives who end up making the appeal. For years, his family was troubled that the name of their beloved son and brother was not on the Wall. They were never sure why not. Rumley died 20 months after the helicopter he was riding in was shot down by enemy fire, and he never recovered from his wounds. His parents, who have since died, were so devastated by his death that they did not have the heart to pursue the matter, Mark Rumley said.

But a few years ago, Bobby Rumley's siblings decided to take up the cause.

"It was certainly a cumbersome process," said Mark Rumley, a lawyer. "There's no real road map. We had to file three different petitions dealing with medical records and military records."

But all that was behind them yesterday as he and two brothers, Michael, 62, and Jon, 45, also of Boston, leaned forward to watch as stonecutter Jim Lee carefully etched "Robert P. Rumley Jr." into the granite.

Others included this week were Army Specialist Bobby Gene Barbre of Carmi, Illinois; Marine Lance Corporal George Bryant Givens Jr. of Robards, Kentucky.; and Marine Pfc. Hans Jorg Rudolph Lorenz of Midland, Ontario, Canada.

The additions, which will become official when they are read at a Memorial Day ceremony May 29, bring the number of names on the Wall to 58,253.

"Every name is special," said Lee, of Great Panes Glassworks Inc. in Denver, which has etched several hundred names on the Wall since 1986. "Every name added further completes the memorial."

The years seemed to fade away as the Rumley brothers remembered Bobby, the oldest son. "There was no back step in his personality. If he began something, he'd see it through," said Mark Rumley, who was 15 when his brother died. "It's a bittersweet thing. It seems like I'm 15 again today, and I'm not."

After graduating from Boston College in 1965 with a business degree, Bobby Rumley joined the Marines and went to Vietnam in the spring of 1966. He was platoon commander on Sept. 2, 1966, when the Viet Cong began firing mortar rounds at the Chinook helicopter he was in. In a tribute recently written for the family, one of the men in his platoon, Ernest "Doc" Ellis, described Rumley as "an intense fighter" who "never surrendered to his injuries," even as guerrilla fighters got within 10 meters of him.

"He remained calm, cool, collected, and always in command," Ellis wrote. " . . . He answered his country's call to arms and forged his answer with honor, courage, and patriotism."

As tourists milled about them yesterday, the Rumley brothers watched Lee do his work, a painstaking technique that takes only about 10 minutes but requires careful attention to stroke and depth to match the other names.

They will be back soon, the brothers say, for the Memorial Day program, along with about 30 relatives. But before they left yesterday, they stepped forward to do what so many visitors to the memorial do.

With tears in their eyes, they each took pencil and paper and made a rubbing of their brother's name.

Posted by: Kelly Malloy
e-Mail: kellyamalloy@comcast.net
Relationship: Niece

September 11, 2006

Lt. Robert “Red” Rumley USMC
A Tribute By Ernest “Doc” Ellis (U. S. Navy, Corpsman, who served with Foxtrot Company, 2/1)

Contributors: Maj. General Gene Deegan, USMC;
The Family of Captain Robert P. “Red” Rumley, USMC

It was the first week of August, 1966. The 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division had just completed its participation in the bloody operation called “Hastings”. I joined them that same month. My assignment: Senior Corpsman, Fox Company. Fox Company had been depleted. Many had been killed, including its Commanding Officer and Senior Corpsman, before North Vietnamese General Gap decided to withdraw his decimated North Vietnamese troops to a point north the Demilitarized Zone.

Then Captain Gene Deegan had assumed command of Fox Company during late August 1966. Under his command things changed quickly for the beleaguered Company. Morale improved and the casualty rate declined. He kept us in the field on many frequent excursions. Each evening just short of full dusk, Fox's platoons would set a defensive perimeter. After dark, we would move to another location. Using this method, Vietnamese guerillas the Viet Cong were less able to pin point our position. Morning casualties from sniper fire nearly stopped as Marines no longer gave in to that Herding Syndrome or behaving overly relaxed.

Marine 2nd Lt. Robert P. “Red” Rumley Jr. joined the company just prior to Captain Deegan’s arrival. Having just completed embarkation school in Okinawa, Red was excited to be a platoon commander and anxious to test himself in battle. A graduate of Boston College and Marine Officer Training School at Quantico Virginia, Red had earned a reputation as an intense fighter. Captain Deegan has described him as “exactly the kind of enthusiastic professional that you looked for in a platoon commander”.

September 2, 1966 was a warm, humid, rainless day, different from other days in only one respect. Foxtrot had been selected by Division to be ready for any “Sparrow Hawk” mission assigned during a twenty-four period. This meant we had to have a platoon sized reaction force ready to deploy on very short notice to respond to a contingency in the DaNang Area of Operations. Then the call came in. We were to provide security to Marine Engineers while they detonated two unexploded bombs. They had been dropped earlier in the day and each weighed two hundred fifty pounds. I was assigned to Lt. Red's platoon.

Late in the afternoon we were activated. Lt. Red’s platoon reported to the landing zone to load helicopters and deploy to the contingency area.

His platoon saddled-up quickly. Each Marine double checked his weapon. Backpacks were filled with provisions enough for the duration of the anticipated operation.

At 1800H two Chinook helicopters lifted off with Lt. Red and his marines. I boarded one with the Lt., Cpl McDonald and other marines. The second chopper was piloted by Major Reap.

In flight engine noise made conversations impossible. Some Marines setting next to each other shouted into each other's ears. But, for the most part we were all silent. I remember the Lt. taking a map from a pocket of his trousers. He spent a good deal of time during that flight studying the map; making sure he could identify landmarks, tree lines, etc. once we were on the ground.

It was 30 minutes, give or take, from lift off until we made the first landing attempt.

As both choppers began their decent into a Landing Zone, muzzle flashes from Viet Cong guerilla fighters shot up at the choppers. They did not indicate a large enemy force. As the Chinooks began their fast, ass-end down, landing they came under intense automatic rifle fire while mortar rounds exploded nearby. Both chopper pilots aborted their landing, climbed to a safe altitude and began circling the Landing Zone. They continued circling the Landing Zone for thirty minutes. By 1900H dusk began setting in. Muzzle flashes became more prominent. At 1915H Red's choppers began their descent.

At 1928 hours on September 2, 1966 the Chinook carrying Lt. Red, myself and the others crashed. A Viet Cong's lucky mortar shot had blown apart the chopper's rear transmission as its pilot attempted to abort his second landing. Lt. Red and his men were in a hot landing zone.

The flash of a bright orange-red fireball filled the chopper's aft section just milliseconds before it slammed ass-end first into a dry rice paddy field. Lt. Red was seated just inside the chopper's ramp, just aft of the last porthole near the ramp and almost directly under the rotor blade driveshaft. The mortar shot had hit the chopper directly above him. The fireball engulfed the section where Red, the radio operator, Cpl McDonald and I sat. I don't know if the others felt heat -- I did not. We were all tossed with a relentless and unforgiving force in all directions as the thirty-two ton chopper's ramp hit ground and began its belly flop to a stop.

I must have been knocked-out for a few moments because my next memory is of lying on my back, unable to sit up due to something being caught on the back of my flack jacket. I don’t know how but I broke free. The chopper's interior was still flame bright. I couldn’t detect anyone inside. Just as I broke my way through an opening, I saw Lt. Red. He was quite near to me. Flames began consuming the chopper's remains as he started a slow and steady crawl toward a section that had been ripped away from the side of the Chinook. The agonizing pain of what we would later know to be a fractured pelvis, scapula and shoulder, showed in his face as he silently pulled himself along with one arm. It was the feat of an iron-man.

As Lt. Red was able to lift his head through the opening in the torn section, ragged sheet metal blocked his escape. Two marines then grabbed his shirt at its shoulders. With a not so gentle tug they pulled their leader through the jagged opening and onto the ground. They then quickly dragged him, face down, a few meters away from the burning chopper. Lt. Red never cried out or whimpered. He simply asked his rescuers to roll him onto his back.

Every marine aboard that chopper sustained injuries; pilot and co-pilot had severe back injuries, the chopper's gunner had a crushed chest, a rifleman had a severe head injury, and a fire team leader had a severed leg artery.

After the chopper crashed, those Marines who were able had hastily set up a 360 defensive perimeter and directed the evacuation of the chopper's pilots and crew.

Viet Cong guerilla fighters got within ten meters of Lt. Red before Marines cut them down. Red never surrendered to his injuries. He remained calm, cool, collected and always in command.

The second chopper, piloted by Major Reap was still airborne. He had aborted his second landing attempt due to intense enemy fire. Not knowing if any of us had survived the crash, he landed within a few meters of our burning chopper. Lt. Red’s Marines climbed up and over the chopper's ramp and immediately began loading the wounded, including Lt. Red, aboard. Maj. Reap then lifted off and flew us to 3rd Medical Battalion located near DaNang. He then returned twice to the Landing Zone to pick up the remaining Marines.

Thirty-five years later I learned that Lt. Red never recovered from his injuries. In the months after the chopper crash he found it difficult to walk because of pain he experienced in his left hip. The early symptoms of limping continued to worsen and gradually, as the months went by, he weakened progressively as paralysis took away his ability to move- one limb at a time.

He was treated at the Chelsea Naval Hospital in Massachusetts until early 1968. His life by then comprised of a series of seizures and continued paralysis. Again he fought valiantly. In the last months of his life he lay comatose- not responding to any stimulus. An airway inserted to assist his breathing as his condition progressively declined. He died as a result of a brain tumor at the Faulkner Hospital in Boston on May 18, 1968… a brain tumor that had its genesis in the injuries he suffered during the helicopter crash in Vietnam 20 months earlier.

This spring, Lt. Red’s name will be added to the Vietnam Wall in Washington. It is recognition long merited and long overdue.

Red Rumley was a Marine. He should be remembered for how he lived and for how he died- with character. His is a story that is repeated often- as often as a young man or woman enlists to serve our country. His is the story of a young man from a working class American family who answered his country’s call to arms and forged his answer with honor, courage, and patriotism. A good man, a fine Marine, a heroic figure, an American- who died of wounds sustained at 1928H, 2 September 1966.

Semper Fi

Posted by: Mark E. Rumley
e-Mail: mrumley@medford.org
Relationship: He is my brother

Sauer, Philip

Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Killed In Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Philip Howard Sauer
Date of Birth: July 6, 1942
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Coronado, CA
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: E-5
TBS Class Standing: 101
MOS: 1801
Serial Number: 093419
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA – April 24, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 18E - Row 081

REMEMBERANCE

September 1, 2004

Philip is buried at Ft Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA .

Posted by: Robert Sage
e-Mail: rsage@austin.rr.com

November 19, 2004

Early on the morning of the April 24, 1967, 2Lt Thomas G. King had led 30 men from B-2 plus an 81mm mortar section (two tubes) with approximately 120 rounds of mortar ammo and Ist Lt Phillip H. Sauer, commander of the ONTOS section at Khe Sanh, to Hill 700, about a click south of 861, to provide security for the sweeping B-I and B-3.

Upon reaching XD 805435, Lt King set up his 81 and at about 0930H, began to fire into the cave area on the northwest slope of Hill 861. About an hour later, he dispatched a 5-man OP to proceed up the trail to the top of Hill 861 for a better advantage so they could call fire missions and possibly air support for the two platoons. The OP advanced until it reached a bamboo thicket about 300 meters from the top of the hill, at 1100H, and was ambushed by dug-in 20-30 NVA. The point man went down yelling, "I'm hit!" and just lay on the trail. Lt Sauer and PFC William Marks made it to a foxhole; the radioman and security took cover about 15 feet behind them. The NVA soldiers began plastering them with fire. Lt Sauer was armed with only a pistol.

Posted by: Lionel Raymond

Sevell, Robert

Rank: Captain
Killed In Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Robert Lee Sevell
Date of Birth: April 23, 1943
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Clark, NJ
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: D-4
TBS Platoon: Pensacola CH46
TBS Class Standing: -
MOS: 7562
Serial Number: 093427
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: January 1, 1968

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - February 28, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Air Loss, Crash – Land
Air or Ground: Helicopter – Crew
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 41E - Row 072

REMEMBERANCE

May 17, 2001

Uncle Bobby, was how I thought of you. You were in my husband's fraternity. We were opposites: you tall, me short, you senior, me a sophomore, you quiet, me outgoing... yet we became friends. I remember sitting on your lap as a little sister might do. You shared the wisdom of a big brother that I never had. I looked forward to reunions and seeing you again, but that was never to be. My world will always be brighter because of our friendship, but it will always be missing those opportunities to deepen our friendship. Thanks for giving your life; that I might have what I have today. Sharon Rogers WVWC 1966 (Richard W. Rogers).

Posted by: Sharon Rogers
Relationship: We were college classmates

Snyder, Stephen

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed In Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Stephen Francis Snyder
Date of Birth: March 3, 1943
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Sunbury, PA
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: E-5
TBS Class Standing: 146
MOS: 0301
Serial Number: 093446
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - August 24, 1966
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 10E - Row 034

Navy Cross Citation

SNYDER, STEPHEN FRANCIS
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps
Company F, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division (Reinforces) FMF
Date of Action: August 23 - 24, 1966

The Navy Cross is presented to Stephen Francis Snyder, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Platoon Commander, Third Platoon, Company F, Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in the Thon Son Lam area, Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam, on 23 and 24 August 1966.

Volunteering to attempt to relieve a trapped platoon, Second Lieutenant Snyder unhesitatingly led his platoon in a daring night march through unfamiliar, dense, enemy-infested jungle terrain. Upon arrival at the besieged platoon's position, he fearlessly took a small group into the trap to assist in evacuating wounded from the enemy-dominated location. Though met with a deadly hail of enemy grenades and small-arms fire, he managed to direct the evacuation of two wounded under the cover of darkness. For the next two hours, with complete disregard for his own safety, he selflessly exposed himself to intense fire while he directed suppressive fires which delayed the enemy assault. When the North Vietnamese finally attacked at dawn, Second Lieutenant Snyder heroically led his platoon in a determined counterattack in an effort to protect the trapped men.

Undeterred by the murderous enemy grenade barrages and automatic weapons and sniper fire, he courageously led his men forward until he was mortally wounded. Second Lieutenant Snyder's stirring example, exceptional leadership, and marked courage were the determining factor in breaking the enemy assault and saved the lives of the trapped Marines. His great personal valor reflected great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

REMEMBERANCE

January 7, 2001

I knew Steve in OCS. We had the same name, so had to meet often to exchange mail, etc. He was good friend--even though we knew each other only briefly-- who I miss to this day. The ultimate irony was that when Steve was killed the Marine Corps Gazette printed my name instead of his. Stephen M. Snyder, 093447.

Posted by: Stephen M. Snyder
Relationship: We served together

February 17, 2005

Stephen is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Posted by: Robert Sage
Email: rsage@austin.rr.com

Temple, Thomas

Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Killed In Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Thomas Richard Temple
Date of Birth: January 21, 1944
Single/Married: Single
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Devon, PA
College: Brown University

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: E-5
TBS Class Standing: 86
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 093475
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 2^nd Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - October 19, 1966
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 11E - Row 091

REMEMBERANCE

July 22, 2001

Tom Temple was a graduate of Brown University, Class of 1965. At Brown, he was well-liked; Tom was chosen by his teammates to be co-captain of the swimming team. I cherished his friendship at college. It was an honor to have been his friend.

Posted by: Doug Schneider
Relationship: We were college classmates

Thuet, Stephen

Rank: Captain
Killed In Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: Stephen Paul Thuet
Date of Birth: June 1, 1942
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: St Paul, MN
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: D-2
TBS Platoon: D-5
TBS Class Standing: 329
MOS: 2502
Serial Number: 093482
Component (Reserve or Regular): Regular
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: September 10, 1967

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA - February 20, 1968
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Other Explosive Device
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Nam
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 40E - Row 048

REMEMBERANCE

September 23, 2000

I have thought of you and your family often for many years. Mary Rosier (The Fox Family, So. St. Paul, MN).

Posted by: Mary H. Rosier
Relationship: We were high school classmates

Uplinger, Barton

Rank: Captain
Died

PERSONAL

Full Name: Barton John Uplinger
Date of Birth: September 2, 1942
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: Camarillo, CA
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: B-2
TBS Platoon: Pensacola
TBS Class Standing: -
MOS: 7563
Serial Number: 093496
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: Captain
Start of Tour: February 19, 1968

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: Died – February 19, 1968
casualty Type: Non-Hostile, Died Other
Reason: Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Air or Ground: Helicopter – Noncrew
Country: North Vietnam
Province: -
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 40E - Row 033

REMEMBERANCE

August 30, 2004

Barton is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.

Posted by: Robert Sage
e-Mail: rsage@austin.rr.com

Woodall, John

Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Killed In Action

PERSONAL

Full Name: John Braxton Woodall
Date of Birth: June 26, 1943
Single/Married: Married
Spouse: -
Children's Names: -
Home of Record: East Alton, IL
College: -

MILITARY

OCS Platoon: -
TBS Platoon: D-5
TBS Class Standing: 287
MOS: 0302
Serial Number: 093518
Component (Reserve or Regular): Reserve
Rank: 1^st Lieutenant
Start of Tour: -

CASUALTY

Casualty Date: KIA – April 30, 1967
casualty Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Other Explosive Devise
Air or Ground: Ground
Country: South Vietnam
Province: Quang Tri / Hill 881 South
Postumous Promotion or Award: No Change
Body Recovered: Recovered
Location on Wall: Panel 19E - Row 002

REMEMBERANCE

1^st Lt. Woodall was the Platoon Commander for 1st Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He died leading his platoon in the assault on Hill 881 (South), approximately 7 kilometers west of the Combat Base at Khe Sanh.


The members of our Class, who died as a result of service in Vietnam are listed. Most died as a result of hostile action, while a few were the unfortunate victims of accidents. War is a dangerous undertaking and the Vietnam War claimed thirty-two (32) of our best and brightest.


Please contact us with any changes or incorrect information posted.


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