Birth 21MAR47 Rank CPL Date of Death 01JUL68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Bainbridge Island Unit H&MS-29 MAG-39 1 MAW Death Code Non-Hostile Died Other; Ground Casualty Hometown   service # 2251350 Panel 54WEST - 30   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 30JAN68 Comment   Cemetery   Bainbridge Island High School, Bainbridge Island WA, Senior - Class 1965: Boys' Club 1,2,3,4; Pep Club 2,3,4; Tennis 2,3; Letterman's Club 3,4; Football 2,4; Student Council 3; Traffic Court 3; Thespians 2,3,4; Vice -pres. 3; All School Play 1,2,3; Senior Play 4; Language Club 1,2,3,4. "A good mind possesses a kingdon." -- Thyestes, 380 Biography

Stephen C. Houck Funeral arrangements are pending for Marine Cpl. Stephen Charles Houck, Winslow, who died in Vietnam 1 Jul (1968). Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Houck, Winslow (Bainbridge Island Rte. 4, Box 4965); a brother, Kevin, 10; two sisters, Margaret Ann, 16, and Mrs. Robert (Barbara) Eastman Jr., of East Bremerton; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Book of Winslow; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Ethel Perkins of St. Paul MN, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Cpl. Houck was active in tennis and football at Bainbridge Island High School, loved hiking and fishing and was a member of the Winslow Congregational Church. A military funeral will be held after his body is returned from Vietnam. (Bremerton Sun, Bremerton WA, 7 Jul 1968)

Dick DE GRAF

Birth 01NOV47 Rank SGT Date of Death 02JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Ngai, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 11th LIB, D Co, 3rd Bn, 1st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 56959194 Panel 54WEST - 36   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 03JAN68 Comment Junglewarriors Cemetery   Chief Sealth High School, 1966, Seattle WA

A Remembrance for Dick DeGraf Johnny Caldwell recalls "Dick was the son of Country and Western star Rusty Draper" More pictures and remembrances at Jungle Warriors: Delta 3/1 11th Brigade DICK DE GRAF WAS MY RTO IN 2ND PLATOON OF DELTA COMPANY 3/1 LIB AMERICAL DIVISION SOUTH VIETNAM. THE FIRST TIME I REMEMBER SEEING HIM WAS AT STANDDOWN AT FFB BRONCO, HOME OF THE 3/1 BATTALION AND 11TH LIGHT INFANTRY BRIGADE NICKNAMED THE JUNGLEWARRIORS. HE WAS INTRODUCED AS THE SON OF RUSTY DRAPER, THE COUNTRY AND WESTERN SINGER. WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED IN COUNTRY DELTA COMPANY HAD IT'S FULL QUOTA OF SQUAD LEADERS. I WAS POSITIONED AS SQUAD LEADER OF THE WEAPONS SQUAD OF THE SECOND PLATOON WHICH CONSISTED OF RUSSEL [SMITTY] SMITH AS THE M-60 MACHINE GUNNER AND HIS ASSISTANT GERALD BOIVIN, WHO CARRIED AN M-16 AND EXTRA AMMO FOR THE GUNNER. SOON AFTER SOME ROTATION, I WAS ASSIGNED AS SQUAD LEADER FOR ONE OF THE THREE SQUADS OF 2ND PLATOON OF DELTA. I DON'T RECALL IF DICK WAS ALREADY THE RTO OF THE SQUAD OR VOLUNTEERED LATER. THE RTO-RADIO TELEPHONE OPERATOR NOT ONLY CARRIES HIS OWN 50 POUND RUCK SACK FULL OF SUPPLYS BUT CARRIED A 20 POUND RADIO WHICH IS TUNED TO THE SAME FREQUENCY AS THE CAPTAIN AND THE OTHER TWO PLATOONS. WHEN 2ND PLATOON WOULD PULL POINT FOR THE COMPANY AND MY SQUAD WAS UP FOR POINT DUTY, THE RTO WOULD BE 3RD MAN IN LINE BEHIND THE SQUAD LEADER AND POINTMAN. I REMEMBER ONE FUNNY INCIDENT WHERE DICK GOT ONE OF THE GUYS TO CARRY HIS RUCK SACK THAT DAY. WE HUMPED UP HILLS ALL DAY LONG AND FINALLY WE WERE STRETCHED IN A LINE UP THIS MOUNTAIN AND IT WAS LATE SO THE CO DECIDED TO SPEND THE NIGHT AND SET UP THE PERIMETER IN ONE LONG LINE. AS WE HAD FINSHED OUR C-RATIONS AND WERE PREPARING TO BED DOWN FOR THE NIGHT IN A VERY ROCKY PLACE WITH SMALL STONES THAT MADE IT HARD TO FIND A COMFORTABLE POSITION. I DON'T REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE GUY WHO WAS KIND ENOUGH TO CARRY DICK'S RUCK SACK BECAUSE DICK HAD BEEN SUCH A GOOD SOLDIER AND CARRIED THE COMPANY RADIO FOR SO MANY MONTHS. I WAS JUST A FEW FEET AWAY FROM THIS SOLDEIR WHEN HE AND I BOTH HEARD A SUSHING SOUND. WE BOTH TURNED AROUND AND DICK WAS BLOWING UP HIS AIR MATTRESS. THIS GUY HAD HUMPED ALL DAY WITH AN AIR MATTRESS AND DICK WAS GOING TO USE IT. JULY 2, 1968 WE HEADED WEST OUT OF LZ DRAGON AND TOWARDS AND OLD ABANDOMED RAILROAD BED AND VILLAGE NEARBY. THE GRAVEL WAS STILL ON THE BED OF THE UNUSED MOUND WITH THE TRACKS BEING TAKEN AWAY. NEARBY AND TO THE WEST OF THE ROADBED WAS A SERIES OF SMALL HEDGEROWS ABOUT FIVE INCHES HIGH. IT WAS THE ONLY INDICATION THAT A VILLAGE HAD BEEN THERE PREVIOUSLY. I DON'T REMEMBER IN WHAT ORDER OR IN WHAT STRENGTH MY SQUAD ENTERED INTO THE AREA. THE USUAL LINE OF MARCH IS POINTMAN, SQUAD LEADER AND RTO. FOR SOME REASON I DECIDED TO MOVE IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION AND DICK CARRYING THE SQUAD RADIO FOLLOWED RIGHT BEHIND ME. I STEPPED OVER ONE OF THE SMALL HEDGE ROWS AND MOVED ABOUT 7 FEET WHEN FOR SOME REASON I TURNED AROUND AND THEIR WAS A LARGE CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE RISING TO ABOUT 4 FEET BEHIND ME. AS IT WAS FOUR MONTHS LATER WHEN I WAS HIT TWICE BY A FIVE ROUND BURN OF AN AK-47, I DID NOT HEAR A SOUND. ALL I REMEMBER IS HEARING THE VOICE OF SAMUEL BOISE YELLING AT ME TO CALL A DUSTOFF. DICK DE GRAF WAS WOUNDED. THERE ARE THREE MAJOR POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED. I COULD OF STEPPED OVER A BOOBY TRAP THAT DICK COMING BEHIND ME STEPPED ON. I COULD OF TRIPPED A WIRE AND THE DEVICE WENT OFF BEHIND ME OR THE MOST FAR OUT POSSIBILITY IS SOMEONE IN A HOLE TRIGGERED THE DEVICE TO KILL THE SECOND MAN IN LINE WHICH IS USUALLY THE SQUAD LEADER. I TOLD BOISE TO USE OUR RADIO TO CALL A DUSTOFF BUT EITHER THE RADIO WAS DAMAGED OR PANIC SET IN WHICH WAS UNDERSTANDABLE. I STARTED UP THE EMBANKMENT OF THE ABOMDOMED RAILROAD TO TRY AND REACH ANOTHER SQUAD AND THEIR RADIO TO CALL A DUSTOFF. I MOVED ABOUT 20 FEET DOWN THE MOUND AND SAW A SMALLER CLOUD OF SMOKE RISE AROUND ANOTHER SOLDIERS FEET WHO WAS ABOUT 60 FEET DOWN THE TRACK FROM ME. THE GRAVEL WAS A PERFECT PLACE TO HIDE A BOOBIE TRAP. I SHOULD OF STAYED IN PLACE BUT I NEEDED ANOTHER RADIO AND IT WAS LANSBURGER FROM ANOTHER SQUAD WHO WAS WOUNDED. MYSELF AND ANOTHER SOLDIER REACHED HIM AND SAW HE HAD AT LEAST TWO LARGE GASHES ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG ON HIS LEGS. EVERYTHING IS KIND OF FOGGY AFTER THAT. I ASSUME THAT THE CAPTAIN OR LT. TOLD US TO STAY IN PLACE UNTIL THE CORP OF ENGINEER'S COULD COME WITH THEIR METAL DETECTORS TO GET US ALL OUT OF THE AREA WITH NO MORE CASUALITIES. TO THIS DAY I DO NOT REMEMBER SEEING THE BODY OF DICK DE GRAF. I AM SURE THERE WERE GUYS HUDDLED AROUND HIM TRYING TO SAVE HIS LIFE BUT SURELY THEY COULD NOT COVER HIM COMPLETELY AND I WAS ONLY TEN FEET AWAY. I BELIEVE I HAVE BLOCKED OUT THAT HORRIBLE SIGHT. I DO NOT BLAME MYSELF BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE I COULD OF DONE. MY MISSION IN COUNTRY WAS TO RETURN MY GUYS TO THEIR MOTHER'S SAFE AND SOUND AND I ONLY FAILED ONCE BUT ONCE WAS TOO MUCH FOR ME. JOHNNY CALDWELL Webmaster of Junglewarriors Quang Ngai Province DELTA 3/1 11th LIB

James Scott 'Scott' LANGWORTHY

Birth 24JUL48 Rank PFC Date of Death 03JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Clinton Unit 1st Cav Div, A Co, 13th SIG Bn Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 19897772 Panel 53WEST - 02   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 14FEB68 Comment   Cemetery

Remembrance for a Good Man
Scott to us, he was called James in the year book. To the school low lifes he was Baby Huey, because of his size, weight, and baby face. He didn't graduate. I remember him saying that he was going to quit school and join the marines. The way he said it gave me the feeling that he needed to prove he was a man. John Griffin, Classmate, Email 28 Oct 2003

Remembrance for a Good Soldier
Greetings and Salutations:
    It was with great luck and the internet that today I finally have identified the person who died during a mortor attack 35 years ago. His name was James Scott Langworthy.
    On July 3rd 1968, on Lz Miguel, we came under heavy mortor fire and were overrun. James shared the same foxhole as I during that attack. I received a serious head wound and the details of that night have been somewhat cloudy. I have never been able to really know exactly what happened that night and would like more information.
    I did not know James's real name until today when I was able to search the national archive database. I then did a search for his name and found his picture and data on your site. You can imagine my feeling that after 35 years I was able to fill in a few of the pieces of that terrible puzzle. ...[snip]...
    The reason I didn't know Scott's real name (and wasn't able to do a search by name in the archives ) is he always went by the name 'Tiny'. Scott was already in country when I joined my unit and everybody called him by his nickname. It wasn't to put him down or anything. Everyone had a nickname and he was a very likeable guy who did his job well ... [snip]... (Two emails from Tom Renfro, Cedar Falls IA)

Remembrance for a Good Soldier
Today I am 62 years old. At the time, I was nineteen. I knew Langworthy (Tiny). Scott was a gentle giant of a man. I remeber one day when a generator went bad on the LZ. I called on the radio as we turned final approach to the LZ. It took two guys to load the generator. When we landed, Tiny came running out to the helicopter and lifted the generator off the helicopter like it was nothing. Tiny was always smiling and I looked forward to seeing him each day. He was dedicated to his country, his unit, his friends and he was a good soldier. I am proud to have known him. I also remember Tom Renfro who already commented on this site. Tom asked for information about that night and that is one of the reasons I am posting. I noticed that Tom posted in 2003. I hope he will be able to see this. In 1968 I was also assigned to the 1st Cav Division and Alpha Company of the 13th Signal Battalion. Each day I would fly into LZ Miguel to deliver supplies, equipment, and mail. Tom and Tiny were the only two men from Alpha company on the LZ. The LZ was located on a mountain top with an artillery battery of 155 guns. The LZ was on the way to the dreaded Ashau Valley. Helicopter was the only way to reach the site. Tiny and Tom were there to provide communications suppot to the artillery and ARVN infantry units. On the night Langworthy "Tiny" was killed, our base camp at Camp Evans was also attacked with rocket and mortar fire. The next day our executive officer and myself flew up to LZ Miguel. As we approached to land, all the artillery pieces were laying down the side of the mountain, the ammo dumps had expoded, and all the bunker positions had been overrun and destroyed with mortar or hand grenades. Few of the defenders were left alive and another American Infantry company had been flown in to recover bodies and equipment. It was estimated that over 100 mortar and rockets were fired at the LZ that night. ARVN bodies littered the side of the moutain and the LZ. Almost everyone was killed that night. Tom Renfro was one of the few survivors. Garland Lingerfelt. (Emails from Garland Lingerfelt received Jan 2011)

(DAB - Personal note to Tom Renfro... I have Garland Lingerfelt's email address and he wants to check in with you... Tom and Garland... Thank you both for serving and for remembering)

(DAB - update: I have been able to connect Garland and Tom ... wasn't too difficult. I could take the above note down... but ... it makes me feel like 9 years of working this website is worth it... have a great 4th of July (2011) everyone... take time to thank a vet.)

William Arnold BECKWITH aka William NIMS

Birth 16FEB46 Rank LCPL Date of Death 04JUL68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Eugene OR Unit 3rd Bn, 4th Marine, 3rd Marine Div   Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, or Mortar Hometown   service # 2138953   Panel 53EAST - 11   married single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 07JUN68 Comment Winlock   Cemetery

Wounds Fatal To Northwest Marine Centralia WA Marine Lance Cpl. William A. Nims, 22, died of mortar fragments wounds suffered during a Viet Cong attack 4 Jul (1968) in Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam, the Defense Department reported. Nims had returned to Vietnam a little more than a month ago on a second tour of duty after serving there 14 months. He was the son of Mrs. Ralph Nims, Centralia, and Harold A. Beckwith, Spokane. His home formerly was in Winlock. (Oregonian, Portland OR, 11 Jul 1968

Charles Edwin WIGHT

Birth 24FEB47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 06JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Quang Tin, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 1st Cav Div D Co 1st Bn 5th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 19887310 Panel 53WEST - 31   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 20JUN68 Comment www.ranger25.com Cemetery

Rites Set - Services are announced by Mountain View Funeral Home for Spec. 4 Charles E. Wight, 21, who had been in Vietnam two weeks when he was killed in action. His wife. Glenda, and parents, Mr. and Mrs. Warland Wight, live at 6318 Hillcrest Drive, SW. (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma WA, 16 Jul 1968)

James David NANSEL

Birth 23SEP48 Rank PFC Date of Death 08JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Hua Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Kirkland Unit 101st Abn Div, B Co, 3rd Bn, 187th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56959904 Panel 53WEST - 44   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 17MAR68 Comment   Cemetery

Robert Lee MILLER

Birth 05JUN36 Rank MAJ Date of Death 09JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Tay Ninh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Camas Unit 23rd Arty Grp, HHB, 2nd Bn, 32nd Arty Death Code Non-Hostile Died Other; Ground Casualty Hometown   service # O82809 Panel 52WEST - 07  married Married MIA -   Medals Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star Tour Date 05DEC67 Comment   Cemetery   Washington State University, 1957, Pullman WA

Viet war takes life of major Camas - Army Major Robert L. Miller was listed by the Defense Department Friday as having been killed at the result of non-hostile action in Vietnam. Major Miller, 32, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester L. Miller, 208 N. E. Fourteenth Ave., Camas, had been in Vietnam since last December. Details of his death had not yet been released, according to his widow, Mrs. Arlene Miller. While in Vietnam, Major Miller had received the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star for gallantry in action and had received recommendation for a second Bronze Star. A graduate of Camas High School with the class of 1954, Miller had earned his commission with the AROTC at Washington State University, from which he graduated in 1958. His widow and two daughters, Christine, 8, and Teresa, 6, make their home in Richland WA. Major Miller is the 34th serviceman with Clark County ties to have died in the Vietnam war. (The Columbian, Seattle WA, 15 Jul 1968)

Major Miller said killed in Viet Nam. The death of Major Robert L. Miller, 32, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester L. Miller of 208 NE 14th, Camas, was reported by the Defense Dept. last Friday. Details were not immediately forthcoming, but the report listed Major Miller's death as a result of non-hostile action in Vietnam. Major Miller has been in Vietnam since last December. His widow, Mrs. Arlene Miller, who makes her home at Richland WA, with the Millers two children, Christine, 8 and Teresa, 6, reportedly had learned no further details on her husband's death. Awarded for Bravery. During his service in Vietnam Major Miller had been decorated for bravery in action, once when he received the Army Commendation Medal, and then again when he received recommendation for a second Bronze Star, for gallantry in action. Major Miller is listed as the 34th service man to give his life in Vietnam from Clark County. The major was a graduate of Camas high school class of 1954. He earned his commission with the AROTC at Washington State University where he received his degree in 1958. Services are pending at Stoller Memorial Chapel. (Post-Record, Camas and Washougal WA 17 Jul 1968)

Randall Nave ARNEY

Birth 31DEC43 Rank 1LT Date of Death 12JUL68 P. of birth Aberdeen WA Service Army (Reserve) Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Klickitat Unit 101st Abn Div, C Co, 1st Bn, 501st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 05714685 Panel 52WEST - 17   married Married Link Maryhill EWU Medals   Tour Date 30MAR68 Comment   Cemetery IOOF Cem., Goldendale WA  Eastern Washington State College, Cheney WA, 1964

ARNEY OF KLICKITAT VIETMAN WAR FATALITY
    Klickitat county suffered the fourth fatality of the Vietnam war when word was received this week of the death of First Lt. Randall N. Arney of Klickitat. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Arney and spent most of his life in Klickitat. He graduated from Klickitat High School in 1962 and was married to Carolyn Davis of Spokane in 1966.
    In February of 1967 he received his degree from EWCS and reported to Fort Benning, Ga. and Fort Bragg, NC for more military training. He was commissioned as a Second Lt. on his graduation from college.
    His family has stated that those who wish, may contribute memorials in Lt. Arney's name to the chapel fund at Rainier School at Buckley, Wa.
    The three previous fatalities included Mike Newbern, also of Klickitat and Lonnie Wedrick and Terry Smith, both of White Salmon.
    Mike Lutz, White Salmon, was injured critically in the conflict and is now recuperating in a hospital in Japan, it was reported. (The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 28, 1968, page 1) Thank you ... War Memorial at Maryhill

WAR NEWS SADDENS AREABy Mrs. Virgil Maupin, KLICKITAT --
   The Viet Nam war, which often seems so far off too many of us, came home to Klickitat with much sadness July 14 when the parents of First Lt. Randall N. Arney, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Arney, where informed that their son had lost his life in that conflict. Randall, who spent most of his life here, graduated from Klickitat High School in 1962. In December of 1966 he and the former Carolyn Davis of Spokane were married in Klickitat at Grace Lutheran Church; he then received his degree from EWCS in February of 1967 before reporting to Fort Benning, Ga. and Fort Bragg, NC for more military training. He had been commissioned a 2nd Lt. on his graduation from college.
    To those of you who mourn him as a husband, son and brother, our deepest sympathy and be assured there are many of us who mourn him as a friend as we too will miss him.
    The family has stated that those who wish may contribute memorials Randall's name to the Chapel fund at Rainier School at Buckley, Wa. Final arrangements are still pending at this writing. (The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., July 25, 1968, page 13) Thank you ... War Memorial at Maryhill

RANDALL N. ARNEY
    Funeral services for Lt. Randall N. Arney were held Monday morning, July 29, at Grace Lutheran Church in Klickitat, followed by military committal in the veterans section of the IOOF cemetery in Goldendale.
    Lt. Arney was killed July 12, 1968, while on dirty duty with the 101st Airborne Division near Hue, Viet Nam. He had been on active duty as a platoon leader in the Asian country since April 1.
    Born December 31, 1943 in Aberdeen, Wa, Randall was the first of four children to Orville S. and Twila Arney. For years later the family moved to Klickitat where Randall attended school. He was graduated from Klickitat High School in 1962. He was a four-year letterman, active in football, basketball and baseball. He was active as a member of the student council, secretary of his senior class and was a Boys State representative in his junior year.
    At Eastern Washington State College he was a member of Intercollegiate Knights and Scarlet Arrow, and in the Army ROTC program. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in education March 17, 1967.
    On December 18, 1966 he was a united in marriage to Carolyn Linda Davis of Spokane in services held at Grace Lutheran church, Klickitat.
    He is survived by Mrs. Arney, Spokane; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Arney, and sister, Bernice, all of Klickitat; a sister, Mrs. Fred (Gayle) Tresner, Vancouver; a brother, Bruce, Buckley, Wa.; grandfather, Dick Evans, and other relatives.
    The Rev. Hugo Larson officiated at the service. Pallbearers were Bud Clarence, Christopher Neils, Tom Jones, John Maupin, George Herion and Dustin Van Vleet. (The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., August 1, 1968, page 5) Thank you ... War Memorial at Maryhill

Robert Davis HICKOX

Birth 10APR48 Rank CPL Date of Death 15JUL68 P. of birth Seattle WA Service Army (Draft) Place Long An, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit Co B, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty - Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Shoreline (Seattle) service # 56959216 Panel 52WEST - 35  married Single MIA -   Medals Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart Tour Date 03JAN68 Comment   Cemetery Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle WA

Funeral Services for Army Cpl. Robert D. Hickox, 20, of 224 N.E. 180th St. will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Home Undertaking Co. Chapel. Burial, with military honors, will be in Washelli. He was killed in action 15 July near Binh Duong, Vietnam. Born here, Corporal Hickox was a Shoreline High School graduate. He was a member of the Pillar of Fire Church. He enlisted in the Army last October. Surviving are his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs.Lewis Clagg, Seattle; his father, Calvin Hickox, in Oregon; a brother, A. William Hickox; Seattle; two stepsisters, Mrs. Harold Haley and Mrs. Foyd Washington; a half sister, Diane Clagg; a stepbrother Lewis A. Clagg and his grandmother, Mrs. Mary Steele, all of Seattle. (Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park - Obituary Collection)

Mother Gets Dead Son's Silver Star Three decorations, including the Silver Star, awarded posthumously to Cpl. Robert D. Hickox, Seattle, have been presented to his mother, Mrs. Jeannie B. Clagg, 224 N. E. 180th St., it was announced today. Hickox died in July from wounds suffered in a fight with the Viet-Cong during a reconnaissance mission in the Long An Province. In addition to the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart were presented. Hickox, a member of the 9th Infantry Division, exposed himself in order to provide covering fire for his comrades to move into a safer area. ( Seattle Times, Seattle WA, Wednesday, 16 Apr 1969)

Stanley Lloyd GRUNSTAD

age 15-17

Birth 21APR47 Rank CPL Date of Death 19JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Everett Unit 1st Cav Div D Co 2nd Bn 8th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Misadventure Hometown   service # 56959024 Panel 51WEST - 10   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 30MAR68 Comment   Cemetery

abt 1958 A Quick Remembrance by Wally Grunstad ("Just want to straighten things out.") Stanley was born in Everett WA and the family moved to Selah WA where I was born. I was one years old when we returned to Everett. Stanley attended Cascade High School. He was drafted and he was sent to Vietnam where he was a radio operator.

Vietnam Army Man Succumbs Cpl. Stanley Grunstad, 21, 21 108th St. SW, was killed July 21 in Vietnam. A life-long resident of Everett, he was born here 21 Apr 1947. He attended Bethel Baptist Church and was a student at Cascade High School. Corporal Gunstad entered Army service July 11 a year ago and took his training at Ft. Lewis and Ft. Sill. Attached to the First Air Cavalry, he had been stationed in the war zone since 16 Dec 1967. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Grunstad, 21 108th St. SW; a brother, Wallace, at home; five sisters, Joanna of the home, Mrs. Judith Kerstetter of Marysville, Mrs. Dorothy Faucher of Seattle, Mrs. Lou Harsh of Santa Clara CA, and Mrs. Jill England of Lynnwood; his grandmothers, Mrs. Ingaborge Grunstad of Skamokawa and Mrs. Ora Hicks of Seattle; two uncles, Ernest Grunstad of Skamokawa and Glondon Andrews of Molalla OR; four nieces and three nephews. Obituary Cpl. Stanley Grunstad, 21, of 26 108th SW, died July 19 in Vietnam. Born 21 Apr 1947, in Everett, Corporal Grunstad had lived all of his life in Everett. He attended the Bethel Baptist Church and Cascade High School. He had been active in Boy Scouting and was a Star Scout. He entered the U. S. Army 11 Jul 1967, and took his training at Fort Lewis and Fort Sill. He was attached to the First Air Cavalry and had been in Vietnam since 16 Dec 1967. (snip). Graveside services Tuesday 11 am Cypess Lawn Cemetery, under the direction of Purdy and Walters Funeral Home; Rev. Lester Goertz of Cedarhome Baptist Church, Standwood officiating; military honors, U.S. Army. Memorials may be made to the Memorial Fund of Bethel Baptist Church. (Everett Herald 1968) Former Selah youth Viet war victim. Parents of 19 year old Stanley Grumstad, are awaiting arrival of the youth's body at Everett before setting funeral services. The Army Private was killed by a missile blast at Hon Trie 19 Jul 1968. A native of Selah, Pvt. Grumstad left there six years ago with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Grumstad when they moved to Everett. He attended schools at Selah and completed high school in Everett. The youth had been in military service about a year and had been stationed at Ft. Lewis before going to Vietnam last December. He came home for Thanksgiving and then was assigned to Vietnam. Two married sisters survive besides the parents. Selah news article (Yakima Morning Herald, Yakima 27 Jul 1968) ((note: Some of the information in the Yakima newspaper is incorrect... it is included in this presentation because back in 1968 someone thought people in Yakima County needed to know about Stanley Grunstad's death...))

James Arthur CLEVELAND

Birth 11JAN41 Rank SGT Date of Death 20JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army ( Draft) Place Thua Thein, S. Vietnam Town of Record Kirkland Unit 101st Abn Div, HHC, 2nd Bn, 501st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56957860 Panel 51WEST - 17   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 30MAR68 Comment   Cemetery

Vietnam casualty from here
      A former Kirkland resident, James Cleveland, 27, was killed in combat 20 Jul (1968) in Vietnam.
      He is the brother of Dale Cleveland, 6535 111th Ave. N.E., A Specialist 4 in the Army he was a medic.
      According to word received by the Army, he was killed close to Hue. His wife Sherry is in South Dakota. (East Side Journal, Kirkland WA, 31 Jul 1968)

Stuart John WOOD

Birth 01APR48 Rank LCPL Date of Death 20JUL68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Granite Falls Unit G Co, 2nd Bn, 9th Mars Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2388719 Panel 51WEST - 23   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 16MAR68 Comment   Cemetery

Russel E. BUTLER

Birth 29DEC47 Rank PFC Date of Death 21JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Thau Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Yakima Unit 1st Cav Div, C Co, 5th Bn, 7th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56960192 Panel 51WEST - 23   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 19APR68 Comment   Cemetery

John Thomas 'Tom' LYNN

Birth 25JUN47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 21JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Kien Hoa, S. Vietnam Town of Record Kennewick Unit 9th Inf Div, C Co, 3rd Bn, 47th Inf Death Code Hostile Died Wounds; Ground Casualty Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56985843 Panel 51WEST - 27   married Single MIA -   Medals Silver Star Tour Date 08JAN68 Comment 9th Infantry Cemetery   Kennewick High School, 1964, Kennewick WA

Former CBC Star Hurt in Vietnam Tom Lynn, 21, former CBC basketball star, was seriously wounded in action in Vietnam last week. He was serving in the Mekong Delta southwest of Saigon when his unit engaged the enemy in a fight in which 9 men were killed and 21 wounded. Lynn received a metal fragment in the head. His wound was described in the official telegram as "cause for concern." he is hospitalized in Vietnam. In a letter written two days before the incident, Lynn told his parents his unit was going to begin setting up ambushes to surprise the enemy. "Apparently it worked the other way around this time," his father said. Lynn was serving with the Ninth Infantry Division and was stationed aboard the USS Washtenaw County, a shallow draft transport ship, from which helicopter assaults were made. He had been in Vietnam since January. Sine that time, he has been recommended for the Soldier's Medal and two bronze stars. At CBC, Lynn was captain of the Hawks basketball team in his second year at the college, leading the team to a second-place finish in the state. "He was always a real fighter: said his coach, Jim Rogers. :He worked hard in practice as well as in the games, was a real floor leader, and was tremendous on defense. "I just hope his fighting spirit can help him now," he said. Lynn had scholarship offers from three schools, and plans to attend Carol University in Montana after he leaves the Army. His college major is business administration. (Tri-Cities Herald, Pasco WA, 21 Jul 1968)

Posthumous Silver Star Awarded
      A Kennewick youth killed in Vietnam in July has been awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal.
      J. Tommy Lynn, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Lynn, 429 S. Dennis St., died 21 Jul (1968) in action in Vietnam.
      He served with the Ninth Infantry Division, Riverline Force in the Mekong Delta and had been in the Army since Aug. 1967.
      He was a 1965 graduate of Kennewick High School and was a well-known basketball player with both the high school and later with Columbia Basin College.
      The medals will be given to his parents at a ceremony at Fort Lewis. A date for this ceremony has not been set. (Tri-City Herald, Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, 21 Oct 1968)

John Michael HOGUE

Birth 17JUN47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 23JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Duong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Chehalis Unit 11th ACR, HHT, 2nd Sqdr, 11th Cav Death Code Hostile; Ground Casualty; Other explosive device Hometown   service # 56959574 Panel 51WEST - 41   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 13JAN68 Comment 11th Cav/ Black Horse Cemetery

CURTIS MAN BECOMES 14TH VIETNAM CASUALTY
    Curtis - Klaber - Word was received here Friday of the death in Vietnam of Army Spec 4 John Michael (Mike) Hogue, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hogue, Curtis.
    Houge, the 14th Lewis County man to die in the war, was reported killed Tuesday when a half-track he was operating passed over an enemy mine, setting off an explosion.
    According to his family, Hogue had been in Vietnam since 13 Jan 1968. He enlisted after graduation from Boistfort High School in 1965.
    A family member said he was a member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.
    Notification of Hogue's death was given to his family while they were vacationing on an island in Puget Sound.
    The message was delivered from the Indian Island base.
    Funeral arrangements for the young victim who not married, were still pending Friday.
    In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Scott Hogue, 11, and a sister, Jacque Hogue, 18, both at home; his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Anna Hogan, Centralia, and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Sally Reimer, also Centralia. (Centralia-Chehalis Daily Chronicle, Monday, 27 Jul 1968)

Steven Arthur FRINK

Birth 24AUG47 Rank PFC Date of Death 26JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Hau Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Vancouver Unit 101st Abn Div HHC 2nd Bn 506th Inf Death Code Hostile; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56933847 Panel 50WEST - 13   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 06APR68 Comment   Cemetery

Soldier Killed in Vietnam His father completed 25 years of service in the Air force Wednesday, but Pfc. Steven Arthur Frink, 20, didn't even make it through his first year in the Army , for he was killed in Vietnam 26 Jul (1968), it was learned today. The young soldier had been listed as missing in action but his death was confirmed and his parents notified of it Monday. He became the 35th member of the armed forces with Clark County ties to die in the Vietnam war. Frink had been in the Army since last October and had arrived in Vietnam in April. He was with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Air Cavalry Division, when he died of wounds suffered in a firefight, according to an Army report. The soldier was the son of Maj. and Mrs. Andrew Frink, whose home is at 811 W. 21st St. The major was retired from the Air Force Wednesday at Camp Adair, an Air Force installation near Corvallis OR. Born 24 Aug 1947, Frink attended high school in Anchorage AK and went to Clark college for two years before entering the Army. He has two older brothers, Jerry and Tom. Funeral services will be announced later from Vancouver Funeral Chapel. (The Columbian, Vancouver WA)

Richard Charles MANNERY

Birth 29JAN46 Rank PFC Date of Death 26JUL68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Pleiku, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 4th Inf Div, HHC, 2nd Bn, 8th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 56960137 Panel 50WEST - 14   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 20APR68 Comment   Cemetery

Daniel Edward LLOYD

Birth 24MAR48 Rank CPL Date of Death 28JUL68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Astoria OR Unit 1st Mar Div, K Co, 3rd Bn, 7th Marines Death Code Hostile; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2275070   Panel 50WEST - 25   married single Memorial Washington State Vietnam War Memorial Olympia WA Medals   Tour Date Comment Everett   Cemetery

John Jeremiah TILL

Birth 19SEP49 Rank PVT Date of Death 28JUL68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Pasco Unit K Co, 3 Bn, 7 Mars, 1 Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown ... service # 2266270 Panel 50WEST - 28   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 11MAY68 Comment   Cemetery

Michael Richard GLASFORD

Birth 04OCT49 Rank PFC Date of Death 29JUL68 P. of birth Coulee Dam Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Omak Unit 101st Abn Div, A Co, 1st Bn, 327th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, or Mortar Hometown   service # 18994884 Panel 50WEST - 29   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 20JUN68 Comment Screaming Eagles Cemetery

Pfc Michael Richard Glasford , 18, died in combat in Vietnam July 29 (1968). He was born at Coulee Dam 4 Oct 1949. He had lived at Nespelein, attended school at Wilbur and was graduated from Omak High School in 1967. He was a member of Future Farmers of America while in school. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He went into the service in Nov. 1967. Surviving are his parents Mr. and Mrs. William Glasford, Omak, a brother David Schilling, Nespelem; five sisters, Kathleen, Polleen, Patricia, Linda and Kelh Glasford all of Omak and his grandmother Mrs. Nettie Schilling, Nespelem. Precht Funeral Home of Omak is in charge of arrangements. Omak article (Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee 12 Aug 1968)

Private first class Michael Richard Glasford Services will be held Wednesday 2pm from the Omak Methodist church with the Rev. Saul Herreia officiating. Interment will be held at 3:30pm In the Spring Canyon Cemetery at Grand Coulee, Military graveside services by the Yakima Military Memorial Corps. Arrangements by the Precht Funeral Home, Omak. Omak Article (Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee Aug 1968)

Remembering Michael Glasford
    First I would like to say that I only knew Mike for a matter of days, but being in the military yourself you know those can be very intense relationships. I will try to shed some light on Mike with out unit.
    Mike came to our unit (a Co. 1.327) with replacements and supplies early in July 1968 (myabe late June). I met him as he got off the chopper in the "Valley of Death". We were working an AO in Thua Thien Province, west of Hue, on the edge of the A Shau Valley.
    I was one of the gunners in our platoon, and Mike was assigned to my gun crew as an ammo bearer (sometimes point). He never seemed to be a Cherry; he always had a presence about him. We were in at least one fire fight a day from the day he arrived until the day he died.
    Mike was the kind of guy that fit in like a finger in a glove and was one of the guys from the first day. We spent the evenings talking about the world, dreams and the war. I enjoyed my time with him and his stories about home, school, and friends.
    We were working the area on the west side of the Valley, between the Valley proper and the Laos border. For the week proceeding July 29, were were in heavy contact and taking casualties daily. The gunner from the other gun crew in our platoon was hit on July 20, so Hagerman, my assistant gunner, took over that gun and Mike became my assistant gunner. On July 23 we tried to take a hill, contact was heavy and sustained, and we were eventually repelled. I was the same story for the next 5 days, starting out with 3 companies and the Tiger Force on July 23, and by July 28 when we took the hill we were down to a reinforced company. This hill would later become Firebase Vagle.
    On July 29, the engineers, some Marines, and more Army troops were flown on to the top of Vagle. He lazed around for most of themorning and about noon the Tiger Force left to continue there operations. Within an hour they had made contact. A fire team and my gun wre dispatched off the north side of the Vagle, about a click, to ensure the NVA the Tigers had encountered, weren't going to come andprobe our defense perimeter that night. All was quiet and just before dark we started to pull back to the NDP. As we started up the ridge we took some small arms fire. Mike, one of my ammo bearers, and I were working along the ridge to set up, when we took mortar (theirs) fire. When we hit the ground next to a log, Mike was half on top of me. We took a direct hit. All three of us were in pretty bad shape. Mike had taken a hit with a large piece of shrapnel in the chest.
    The Dust Off was about 30 min. getting us out of there and Mike passed away on the chopper before we reached the field hospital. We were conscious while we waited and we talked while the medic did what he could to stablize us. He went very quickly, never seemed scared that he would die, talked about getting together in the world.
    Brian, I have no way of knowing if Mike protected me on purpose or if he just fell there and saved my life, but I always feel he was keeping me from harms way because that's the kind of man he was. I think of him often.
    Brian, our unit has a reunion every year in June. Family of our fallen brothers are more than welcome to come. It's pretty low key, very emotional, and good for the soul. I think it will be in Manassas, VA again this year (2002), but by 2003 we will probably move it to Tenn. somewhere around Nashville. Let me know if you would be interested in attending, if you have time. I think it would be a good thing. We never forget. Last year was my first year at the reunion, and my trip to The Wall to honour my fallen brothers is what prompted me to comment about Mike
    Thanks for serving. Stay safe and walk easy.
    Don McKinley
    Formerly: A Co. 1/327 101st Airborne
    Abu
    Above The Rest email supplied by Arnie Holt Traveling Vietnam Meomrabilia Display

Gary Dale KELLER

Birth 27SEP48 Rank CPL Date of Death 31JUL68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Yakima Unit H Co, 2 Bn, 5 Mar, 1 Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown Gleed service # 2251149 Panel 50WEST - 39   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 09NOV67 Comment   Cemetery

Marine Dies in Vietnam. Marine Cpl. Gary D. Keller 19, son of Mrs. Anna G. Keller, Gleed, and Virgil Keller, Yakima, died in Vietnam 31 Jul (1968) as a result of shrapnel wounds. Cpl. Keller was born in Yakima and attended Naches High School from which he graduated in 1966. He was active in school sports and other activities. He joined the U.S. Marines in the spring of 1967 and had been in Vietnam nine months. Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, David Keller, and a sister, Lynn Keller both of Gleed; his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Keller, Renton, and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Maddox, Gleed. The body is being returned to Yakima for services which will include full military honors. The exact dates has not been set. (Yakima Morning Herald, Yakima WA, Wednesday, 7 Aug 1968)