Birth 27OCT46 Rank PFC Date of Death 03OCT66 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 101st Abn Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 327th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56411461 Panel 11EAST - 38 Married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 3 Jul 66 Comment Screaming Eagles Cemetery   Glacier High School, Seattle WA, Senior - Baseball 2,3; Intra. Footall 3, 4; Intra. Paddleball 4; Inta. Volleyball 4

    Joseph Allen MOEN

Birth 07APR46 Rank PFC Date of Death 06OCT66 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Sumner Unit Co H, 2d Bn, 5th Mar, 1st Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2221630 Panel 11EAST - 53 married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date   Comment NARA recs. error ... Summer = Sumner Cemetery     Sumner High School, Sumner WA, 1965

Researcher Comment Joseph Allen Moen's listing with the National Archive and many other lists says his town of record is Summer WA. Moen attended Sumner High School so I'm declaring that Summer = Sumner and his town of record is a typo, mis-spelling, or some such error.... (Darilee Bednar, 2003)

    Dennis Eugene SPRINGSTEEN

Birth 29JUL46 Rank PFC Date of Death 12OCT66 P. of birth Seattle Service Army (Draft) Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 11th ACR, I Trp, 3rd Sqd, 11th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Ballard (Seattle) service # 56390844 Panel 11EAST - 69 married Single Enlisted 09NOV65 Medals   Tour Date 23AUG66 Comment Black Horse Cemetery Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle WA

    Darrell Asa JACKSON

Birth 24APR46 Rank PFC Date of Death 14OCT66 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Clarkston Unit 11th ACR, K Trp, 3rd Sqd, 11th Cav Death Code Hostile Died; Ground Casualty; Other explosive device Hometown Lapwai ID service # 56378738 Panel 11EAST - 74 married Married Link Black Horse Medals   Tour Date 28AUG66 Comment member Nez Perce Nation Cemetery     Lapwai High School, Lapwai ID

Remembrance for Darrell Asa Jackson by Gary Coleman Thank you for the inquiry about Darrell. He lived most of his young life on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation at Lapwai, Idaho, about 15 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho. He graduated from Lapwai Idaho High School in 1965. His mother and father were Native Americans. I am not sure why the Memorial Wall notice lists him as Caucasion. He was pure Indian. He married a young Caucasian woman named Redfern and they lived in Clarkston Washington at the time he began his tour of duty in Vietnam. I believe he was the first Nez Perce Indian killed in the Vietnam conflict. His funeral was held in Lewiston Idaho. picture and email received 21 Aug 2003 from Gary Coleman

    Gerald Lane CARMICHAEL

Birth 24JAN48 Rank CPL Date of Death 15OCT66 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tin, S. Vietnam Town of Record Kennewick Unit H&S CO, 3rd AMPH Bn, 1ST Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2129110 Panel 11EAST - 76 married Single MIA -   Medals   Comment   Tour Date   Cemetery     Kennewick High School, Kennewick WA, 1965

    Melvin Rupert ELLIS

Birth 18JUN27 Rank CAPT Date of Death 15OCT66 P. of birth   Service Air Force (Reserve) Place Kien Hoa, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 308 TFG Sqdn Death Code Hostile Died; Fixed Wing - Pilot; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown   service # 3039450 Panel 11EAST - 76 married Married MIA -   Medals   Comment   Tour Date 15JUN66 Cemetery

Remembering Melvin Ellis by Roger Clark, friend and fellow pilot
    Mel Ellis and his wife were friends of ours and he was a Pilot in the same squadron as I (97th Air Refueling Squadron, Schilling AFB, KS.) They lived just down the street from us. I believe we both arrived at Schilling about 1959 as KC-97 Pilots) Mel's wife Alice was a very nice person and, as I recall, they had two children, girls). We became friends because Mel was a very happy person and loved flying.
    When the A.F. called for volunteer Pilots to train for single engine fighter aircraft duty in Vietnam, Mel was one of the first volunteers. I don't recall when he left for training, but it was before I was transferred in 1963. I was one of the last members of the two squadrons (310th and 97th A.R.S) because as the Squadron Adjutant I closed down the 97th then transferred to the 310th to close it down.
    According to the information I read about Mel, he died in 1966. That seems to be quite a while after he left our squadron because it seemed to me that it was earlier. I may be mistaken.
    My wife and I met Alice in San Antonio in 1969 after I returned from Vietnam. She was becoming somewhat accustomed to Mel being gone but was alone and caring for her children.
    Mel is buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. I learned soon after 1969 that Alice had moved to Denver, CO. I believe we received a Christmas card sometime after that but never heard from her again.
    Mel Ellis was one of those "natural pilots" and was very excited about flying. I certainly wasn't surprised when Mel volunteered for fighters because he was always frustrated flying the big 4 engine, slow aircraft. He was very popular with everyone and you could count on the fact that Mel would always be one of the top pilots in the unit. I miss Mel as I do the many friends that I have had that were less fortunate than I in Vietnam.
    I am very appreciative of people like yourself who try to keep the memory of great heros alive. Please continue your efforts becauses there are too few of you around. I seems that the many wonderful people who have given it all for our country are too soon forgotten.
    Thank you for your efforts, Roger Clark (email received 23 Oct 2003)

    Horton Sisler COKER Jr.

Birth 13JUL46 Rank SP4 Date of Death 17OCT66 P. of birth   Service Army Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 101st Abn Div, C Co, 2nd Bn, 502nd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 19843928 Panel 11EAST - 80 married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 12JUL66 Comment   Cemetery Fort Sam Houston National Cem., San Antonio TX   Queen Anne High School, Seattle WA, 1965

    Victor Orin FOWLER Jr.

Birth 24MAY42 Rank SSGT Date of Death 18OCT66 P. of birth Seattle WA Service Army Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 1st Cav Div, HHC, 5th Bn, 7th Cav Death Code Non-Hostile, Ground Casualty; Accidental Homicide Hometown Seattle WA service # 19669488 Panel 11EAST - 86 married Married Enlisted 13JUN60 Medals   Tour Date 02AUG66 Comment   Cemetery Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle WA Franklin High School, Seattle WA, Junior - 1959 yearbook

Sergt. Victor O. Fowler Funeral services for Army Staff Sergt. Victor O. Fowler Jr., 24, of 4808 S. Thistle St. will be at 1 o clock tomorrow at the Columbia Funeral Home, with burial in Washelli. He died 18 Oct (1966) in Viet-Nam. Born in Seattle, Sergeant Fowler attended Colman Elementary School and was graduated from Franklin High School in 1960. He then joined the Army. From 1951 to 1956, he resided in Sacramento. Surviving are his wife, Joy E.; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Victor O. Fowler, and two sisters, Catherine S. Fowler, and Mrs. Deed (Madeline M.) Williamson, all of Seattle, and a brother, Private Norman A Fowler, in the Army. (Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle WA - Obituary Records)

    Ronald Gale WOLFE

Birth 05NOV39 Rank LT Date of Death 20OCT66 P. of birth   Service Navy (Reserve) Place Phuoc Tuy, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit CG 32 Adviser Team 79 Death Code Non-Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Accidental Homicide Hometown   service # 654931 Panel 11EAST - married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date   Comment Naval Advisory Group; or Lewis & Clark; or EWU Cemetery     Eastern Washington State College, Cheney WA, 1959

Lt. Wolfe Succumbs to Injuries Lt. Ronald G. Wolfe, 26, a U. S. Navy adviser to South Vietnamese military forces, died 19 Oct (1966) as the result of injuries suffered near Vung Tau, according to a Department of Defense notification received Friday by his parents in Spokane Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Virgil K. Wolfe, N2208 Coleman Road, said their son had been in Viet Nam for about six months. He graduated from West Valley High School and Eastern Washington State College before entering the Navy in 1961. Other survivors include two sisters. Mrs. Marlene F. Miller, Port Orchard WA (Spokanesman Review, Spokane WA 22 Oct 1966)

    Michael R. NEWBERN

Birth 21OCT44 Rank SSGT Date of Death 22OCT66 P. of birth   Service Army Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Kennewick Unit Special Forces B-56, Team 5 Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 19709291 Panel 11EAST - 99 married Single Links Airborne and Maryhill War Memorial Medals   Tour Date 06SEP66 Comment   Cemetery

Local 'Green Beret' Killed in Viet Nam. A Kennewick member of the famous Green Berets paratroop unit has died of gunshot wounds in Vietnam. Word was received here yesterday of the death of S. Sgt Michael Newbern, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clair Smith, 412 W. 18th Ave. Sgt Newbern had just returned to Vietnam in September after spending his leave in Kennewick. On Aug. 28 (1966) he attended services in the Church of Christ, where announcement of his death was first made public yesterday. He had seen action all over the world during his five years as a paratrooper, serving in the Dommican Republic at the time of the uprising, France, Germany, Spain, Belguim, and earlier in Vietnam. He attended Kennewick High School, the school for special forces at Fort Bragg, NC. and had planned to make a career of the paratroops. Surviving in addition to his parents, are two foster sisters, Penny Smith, Kennewick, and Dee Ann McKenzie, Bellevue. Funeral services will be announced when details have been received from the Department of the Army. (Tri City Herald, Pasco, Kennewick, Richland WA, 24 Oct 1966)

FORMER KLICKITAT MAN DIES IN WAR
    A former Klickitat man and member of the famous Green Berets has died on gunshot wounds in Vietmnam. Staff Sergeant Michael Newbern, 22, foster son of Mr. and Mrs. Clair Smith of Kennewick, will be buried at Kennwick, with services Saturday, October 29, at 2 p.m. in the Mueller Funeral Home.
    Sgt. Newbern had just returned to Vietnam in September after having spent his leave in Kennewick. He had seen action in the Doninican Republic at the time of the uprising there was earlier in Vietnam besides having served in Germany and other European countries
    He had attended the special forces school in Fort Bragg, N.C., and planned to make a career of the special forces unit.
   (The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., October 27, 1966, page 1)

GREEN BERET SOLDIER KILLED
    Staff Sgt. Michael Newbern, late of Kennewick, Wash., lost his life from gun-shot wounds while on duty in Viet Nam last week. He was a member of the famous Green Berets specialist forces group.
    Sgt. Newberg had returned to Viet Nam in September after having spent a leave in Kennewick with his foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clair Smith. In his five years in the services the twenty-two year old soldier had seen duty in the Dominican Republic, at the time of the uprising there, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and an earlier tour in Viet Nam.
    He was a Paratrooper and had planned on making that his career. He had attended Special Forces School at Fort Bragg, N.C. Mike attended grade school and high school in Klickitat as well as high school in Kennewick.
    In addition to the Smiths he is survived by two foster sisters, Penny Smith of Kennewick and Dee Ann McKenzie of Bellevue.
    Services for the young soldier were to be announced when details were received from the Department of the Army. (The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., November 3, 1966, page 1)

    William Edward BRAND

Birth 12DEC44 Rank SP4 Date of Death 23OCT66 P. of birth Yakima Service Army (Draft) Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Quincy Unit 25th Inf Div, A Co, 1st Bn, 14th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Quincy service # 56378772 Panel 11EAST - 100 married Single MIA -   Medals   Comment   Tour Date 18 May 66 Cemetery

William E. Brand . Full military honors will be acorded Marine Spec. 4 William E. Brand, son of Mrs. Pauline B. Young of Quincy, in the funeral services here Wednesday morning. William Brand was killed in action in Viet Nam 24 Oct (1966) . A 15-member military team from Fort Lewis, including a chaplain, color guard and rifle squad, will officiate at the funeral. His brother, Pfc. Edward Brand, a member of the Fourth Infantry Division, accompanied the body home. William Brand was born 6 Dec 1944 in Yakima and moved to Quincy with his family in 1949. He entered the service in October of 1965 and went to Viet Nam in April. Surviving are: his mother, Mrs. Ray Young, Quincy; his father, Lyle Brand, Pasco; and his brothers, Pfc. Edward Brand and Mike Brand, Moses Lake. Columbia Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Quincy article (Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee 1 Nov 1966)

    Greg Eugene HART

Birth 10DEC48 Rank AA Date of Death 26OCT66 P. of birth   Service Navy Place N. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit Ships Company, USS Oriskany CVA-34 Death Code Non-Hostile, Sea Casualty - Fire Hometown   service # B808113 Panel 11EAST - 111 married Single Link Oriskany Fire Medals   Comment   Tour Date   Cemetery

(Remembrance Oriskany Fire 26 Oct 1966) On 27-28 Oct 1966 Washington State newspapers reported a devastating fire aboard the USS Oriskany off the coast of North Vietnam. According to a eyewitness report by James Pickerell, a civilian photographer aboard the ship, there had been no real concern during the pre dawn hours when a flash fire was reported. There had been other such fires and the sailors had quickly put them out. This time men were placing magnesium flares in a locker room when some exploded. Even as the sailors began actions to put the resulting fire out, more flares exploded blocking the main exit from "the officer's country" (the officer's sleeping quarters). General quarters alarm was given and men were sent racing to their battle stations while others fought to water down 34 tons of bombs just 100 yards from the flare locker. (Water will not put out a magnesium fire, water is used to prevent other things from heating up and burning) As the flares continued to burn, sailors rolled the 500-pound bombs off the deck and into the ocean. The Fire was eventually controlled but the damage was done. Heat and smoke had streamed into the labyrinth of corridors that lead to the officers cabins and many men who survived Vietnam combat perished. In total 43 men had died... 34 were pilots who suffocated in the smoke and fumes. Listed in the newspapers for Washington were Airman Appren. Greg Eugene Hart, whose uncle lived in Seattle, Lt. Comdr. Clement J. Morrisette, whose mother lived at American Lake, Cmdr. George K. Farris and Lt. Cmdr. J. A. Smith, both of Oak Harbor, and John J. NUSSBAUMER, of Vancouver.(Darilee Bednar, researcher)

    Clement Joseph MORISETTE

Birth 28MAR33 Rank LCDR Date of Death 26OCT66 P. of birth   Service Navy Place N. Vietnam Town of Record Othello Unit VA-163, TF 77, USS ORISKANY Death Code Non-Hostile Died; Sea Casualty; Fire Hometown Othello WA service # 588258 Panel 11EAST - 113 married Married Link Oriskany Fire Medals   Comment   Tour Date   Cemetery Holy Cross Cem., Spokane WA

(Remembrance Oriskany Fire 26 Oct 1966) On 27-28 Oct 1966 Washington State newspapers reported a devastating fire aboard the USS Oriskany off the coast of North Vietnam. According to a eyewitness report by James Pickerell, a civilian photographer aboard the ship, there had been no real concern during the pre dawn hours when a flash fire was reported. There had been other such fires and the sailors had quickly put them out. This time men were placing magnesium flares in a locker room when some exploded. Even as the sailors began actions to put the resulting fire out, more flares exploded blocking the main exit from "the officer's country" (the officer's sleeping quarters). General quarters alarm was given and men were sent racing to their battle stations while others fought to water down 34 tons of bombs just 100 yards from the flare locker. (Water will not put out a magnesium fire, water is used to prevent other things from heating up and burning) As the flares continued to burn, sailors rolled the 500-pound bombs off the deck and into the ocean. The Fire was eventually controlled but the damage was done. Heat and smoke had streamed into the labyrinth of corridors that lead to the officers cabins and many men who survived Vietnam combat perished. In total 43 men had died... 34 were pilots who suffocated in the smoke and fumes. Listed in the newspapers for Washington were Airman Appren. Greg Eugene Hart, whose uncle lived in Seattle, Lt. Comdr. Clement J. Morrisette, whose mother lived at American Lake, Cmdr. George K. Farris and Lt. Cmdr. J. A. Smith, both of Oak Harbor, and John J. NUSSBAUMER, of Vancouver.(Darilee Bednar, researcher)

Othello Man Dies in Carrier Fire in Vietnam
An Othello man, Lt. Commander Clem Morisette, 33, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Morisette, 675 S. Fourth Street, Othello, was killed recently while serving as a jet pilot off the coast of Vietnam. Marisette was stationed on the aircraft carrier Oriskany off the coast of Vietnam and was due to leave the area with the ship the day before Thanksgiving. The ship was badly damaged by fire last week. Lt. Commander Morisette had been flying missions since 4 Jul (1966) from the Oriskany. A resident of Othello since 1944, Morisette is survived by his parents, his wife Carol, and a daughter, 5. He had been a Navy pilot since June of 1953. He was a graduate of Othello High School and attended Gonzaga University for three years before joining the Navy. Funeral services are scheduled to be held in Spokane. His body is en route to San Francisco. Burial will be at the Holy Cross cemetery in Spokane.(Othello Outlook, Othello WA 3 Nov 1966)

    John Joseph NUSSBAUMER

Birth 24OCT28 Rank CDR Date of Death 26OCT66 P. of birth   Service Navy Place N. Vietnam Town of Record Vancouver Unit 7TH Fleet, VA-152, TF 77, USS ORISKANY Death Code Non-Hostile Died; Sea Casualty; fire Hometown   service # 508419 Panel 11EAST - 114 married Married Link Oriskany Medals   Comment   Tour Date   Cemetery

(Remembrance Oriskany Fire 26 Oct 1966) On 27-28 Oct 1966 Washington State newspapers reported a devastating fire aboard the USS Oriskany off the coast of North Vietnam. According to a eyewitness report by James Pickerell, a civilian photographer aboard the ship, there had been no real concern during the pre dawn hours when a flash fire was reported. There had been other such fires and the sailors had quickly put them out. This time men were placing magnesium flares in a locker room when some exploded. Even as the sailors began actions to put the resulting fire out, more flares exploded blocking the main exit from "the officer's country" (the officer's sleeping quarters). General quarters alarm was given and men were sent racing to their battle stations while others fought to water down 34 tons of bombs just 100 yards from the flare locker. (Water will not put out a magnesium fire, water is used to prevent other things from heating up and burning) As the flares continued to burn, sailors rolled the 500-pound bombs off the deck and into the ocean. The Fire was eventually controlled but the damage was done. Heat and smoke had streamed into the labyrinth of corridors that lead to the officers cabins and many men who survived Vietnam combat perished. In total 43 men had died... 34 were pilots who suffocated in the smoke and fumes. Listed in the newspapers for Washington were Airman Appren. Greg Eugene Hart, whose uncle lived in Seattle, Lt. Comdr. Clement J. Morrisette, whose mother lived at American Lake, Cmdr. George K. Farris and Lt. Cmdr. J. A. Smith, both of Oak Harbor, and John J. NUSSBAUMER, of Vancouver.(Darilee Bednar, researcher)

Local Flier Killed on 'Oriskany' After coming through unscathed in two wars as a Navy flier, Cmdr. John J. Nussbaumer of Vancouver died along with 42 other officers and men in the fire Wednesday aboard the aircraft carried USS Oriskany, it was reported today. Official word of the commanders' death was received here by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Nussbaumer of 2006 N. E. 78th St. Nussbaumer died the day after his 38th birthday, his mother noted. He had 20 years of naval service, including over 80 combat missions in the Korean War and had been overseas this time since last May. Nussbaumer, the father of three children, was a member of Navy attack Squadron 152 aboard the Oriskany when fire erupted shortly before dawn Wednesday off the North Vietnamese coast. In addition to the death of 43 persons, the blaze left 16 others seriously injured. The Navy reported that after the fire broke out in the hangar deck, it spread quickly to the forward officers' quarters, where some were trapped by flash fires. Nussbaumer was born in Portland on 24 Oct 1928, but had lived here until he entered the Navy. He attended Providence Academy and Central Catholic High School before being enrolled in the Navy ROTC program at the University of Washington and the University of California. He was also a member here of Boy Scout Troop 316. In addition to his parents, the Navy flier is survived by his widow, Elizabeth, the daughter of Mrs. Harry Gause of 3207 K St. His widow has been living at Alameda CA, with their children, Carol Ann, 12, Terry, 10, and David, 8. Other survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Cherington of Vancouver and Mrs. Mildred McCabe of Watsonville CA. (The Columbian, Vancouver WA, 28 Oct 1966)

    Sidney Lee BRYANT Jr.

Birth 20JAN46 Rank PFC Date of Death 28OCT66 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 1st Log Cmd, HHC, USASC, Saigon Death Code Hostile Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown Little Rock AR service # 5644612 Panel 11EAST - 121 married Single MIA -   Medals   Comment   Tour Date 21 Jun 66 Cemetery

    Creighton Robert DUNN

Birth 22MAR43 Rank SP4 Date of Death 29OCT66 P. of birth   Service Army Place S. Vietnam Town of Record Ventura CA Unit Special Forces Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 19732836 Local Tacoma married single Panel 11EAST - 126 Medals   Tour Date 28JUL66 Comment   Cemetery