Birth 15OCT46 Rank HM3 Date of Death 01MAY68 P. of birth   Service Navy Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 9th MAB BLT-2 4th Mar Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 9204243 Panel 53EAST - 28   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 15APR68 Comment   Cemetery

Gary S. Caywood , a 1966 graduate of North Central High School, he been reported killed in last month's fighting in Vietnam by the Defense Department. Caywood, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hal D. Caywood, Chico CA, was a Naval hospital corpsman, third class at the time he was killed. He had been in Vietnam 15 days when he died of shrapnel wounds sustained from enemy mortars during "operation Fortress Attack" in Quang Tri Province. Survivors are his parents a sister, Lynda; two brothers, Bruce and Hal, all of Chico; paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hal D. Caywood, Santa Barbara, and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Anderson, Yakima. Bruise Funeral Home in Chico is in charge of arrangements. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, )

    Chris John LARSEN III

Birth 20APR47 Rank LCPL Date of Death 02MAY68 P. of birth Seattle Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit H BLT 2/4th 9th MAB Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 2153301 Panel 54EAST - 10   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 02APR68 Comment   Cemetery Forest Lawn

Lance Cpl. Chris J. Larsen Military services for Lance Cpl. Chris J. Larsen, 3rd, will be tomorrow at the West Home Chapel, with burial in Forest Lawn. He died 2 May (1968), near Quang Tri after suffering shrapnel wounds from an enemy mine. A Seattle native, Mr. Larsen, was a 1965 graduate of West Seattle High School. He entered the Marine Corps in 1965. Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Ruth N. Kahl, of the family home, at 2156 Eighth Ave. W., his father Chris Larsen Jr., and his grandparents, Mrs. Nina Mc Kenney, Mr and Mrs. C.J. Larsen, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Smith, all of Seattle. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 17 May 1968)

    Thomas O. REYNA

Birth 14OCT47 Rank SGT Date of Death 02MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Lynden Unit 101st Abn Div, A Co, 2nd Bn, 327th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Lynden service # 19871826 Panel 54EAST - 16   married Single Link Screaming Eagles Medals   Tour Date 03DEC67 Comment   Cemetery Lynden Cemetery, Lynden WA Lynden High School, Lynden WA, Sophomore - yearbook 1965

Two More Soldiers Killed in Vietnam
    Army Sgt. Thomas O. Reyna, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Reyna, 1791 Kok road, and Army Sgt. 4 Roger H. Sparks, son of Mrs. Hilda E. Sparks, 2821 Orleans St. were killed in action in Vietnam, the Defense Department said today.
    The men were with the 101st Airborne Division, Sergeant Reyna, 20, was a radio specialist in charge of a communications outpost, and Sergeant Sparks, 22, was a rifleman. Sergeant Reyna died 2 May (1968) and Sergeant Sparks 3 May (1968).
    Sergeant Reyna enlisted in the Army in December 1966, and received basic and radio training at Fort Ord CA. He attended jump school in Georgia, then spent a year and a half near Stuttgart Germany. He was sent to Vietnam late last summer and served in various areas.
    Attended Lynden High
    Sergeant Reyna attended Lynden High School and received his high school diploma from the Army.
    Survivors also include two brothers, Sgt. Francisco Reyna, 25, who is stationed in Memphis TN, and Humberto Reyna, 22, a Spanish major at Western Washington State College; two sisters, Irma, 15, and Alice, 8, at the home, and the grandmother, Mrs. Apolinar Ozuna, Alamo TX.
    Sergeant Sparks was born in Bellingham attended Sunnyland Elementary School and Whatcom Junior High School and was graduated from Bellingham High School in 1963.
    He enlisted in the Army 25 Sep 1965, and received basic training at Fort Ord CA. He was trained in auto repair at the Aberdeen MD Proving Ground and as a generator specialist at Fort Bragg NC
    Joins Airborne
    Sergeant Sparks then was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell KY, and received infantry training with the 501st Infantry.
    He went to Vietnam 4 Mar (1968) and served at Bien Hoa, Phi Bai and Quang Tri.
    Besides his mother, he is also survived by a sister, Mrs. James (Sylvia) Sentman of Long Beach CA and two nephews. The father, Howard L. Sparks, a truck driver for Bellingham Builders Supply Co., died last April. (The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham WA, Tuesday, 7 May 1968)

    Roger Howard SPARKS

Birth 15DEC45 Rank SGT Date of Death 03MAY68 P. of birth Bellingham Service Army Place Thua Thien. S. Vietnam Town of Record Bellingham Unit 101st Abn Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 501st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 19860805 Panel 54EAST - 29   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 08MAR68 Comment   Cemetery Greenacres Memorial Park, Ferndale   Bellingham High School, Bellingham WA 1963

Two More Soldiers Killed in Vietnam
    Army Sgt. Thomas O. Reyna, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Reyna, 1791 Kok road, and Army Sgt. 4 Roger H. Sparks, son of Mrs. Hilda E. Sparks, 2821 Orleans St. were killed in action in Vietnam, the Defense Department said today.
    The men were with the 101st Airborne Division, Sergeant Reyna, 20, was a radio specialist in charge of a communications outpost, and Sergeant Sparks, 22, was a rifleman. Sergeant Reyna died 2 May (1968) and Sergeant Sparks 3 May (1968).
    Sergeant Reyna enlisted in the Army in December 1966, and received basic and radio training at Fort Ord CA. He attended jump school in Georgia, then spent a year and a half near Stuttgart Germany. He was sent to Vietnam late last summer and served in various areas.
    Attended Lynden High
    Sergeant Reyna attended Lynden High School and received his high school diploma from the Army.
    Survivors also include two brothers, Sgt. Francisco Reyna, 25, who is stationed in Memphis TN, and Humberto Reyna, 22, a Spanish major at Western Washington State College; two sisters, Irma, 15, and Alice, 8, at the home, and the grandmother, Mrs. Apolinar Ozuna, Alamo TX.
    Sergeant Sparks was born in Bellingham attended Sunnyland Elementary School and Whatcom Junior High School and was graduated from Bellingham High School in 1963.
    He enlisted in the Army 25 Sep 1965, and received basic training at Fort Ord CA. He was trained in auto repair at the Aberdeen MD Proving Ground and as a generator specialist at Fort Bragg NC
    Joins Airborne
    Sergeant Sparks then was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell KY, and received infantry training with the 501st Infantry.
    He went to Vietnam 4 Mar (1968) and served at Bien Hoa, Phi Bai and Quang Tri.
    Besides his mother, he is also survived by a sister, Mrs. James (Sylvia) Sentman of Long Beach CA and two nephews. The father, Howard L. Sparks, a truck driver for Bellingham Builders Supply Co., died last April. (The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham WA, Tuesday, 7 May 1968)

County Relatives Remember Viet Nam Dead.
    For many, today is a day for recalling fond memories of an only son, a short lived husband or father known only by pictures. With Memorial Day also comes bitter grief caused by the death of those men.
    In Olympia, a memorial impressed with 1,073 names was dedicated this weekend. It bears the names of Washington residents killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War.
    Twenty- four of the names are those of men from Whatcom County. Their deaths are still a great burden for some.
    "Its so long ago, and yet so close, that its still hard for us to deal with," said a Bellingham father whose son died in Vietnam 20 years. He did not want to be identified.
    For others, it brings joy to recount the treasured memories.
    "To me, he was just about perfect," Hilda Sparks recalled of her son,U.S. Army Sgt. Roger Sparks."I'm just glad I had him for 22 years. "Roger was just about the best thing that ever happened to me."
    Bellingham's Sgt. Sparks was a compassionate son and true friend who responded when called and died by an unseen enemy, his 73 year old mother recalled.
    Sparks was firing a rifle in a firefight when a mortar exploded nearby, his mother said, she can't read war stories, look at war pictures or listen to or watch anything" that hurts our young boys."
    "I try so hard to live above this because I can't let it get me down," said Hilda Sparks, whose husband died before her son. "It was so hard at first. I hated the whole world. Now I feel sorry for our young people. He has been gone for 20 years, and I still miss him."
    Army Cpl. Kurt Starkey, was a newlywed of four months when a land mine blew up the tank he commanded, recalled Starkey's brother, Gregory Starkey of Bellingham.
    "His one thing in life was to go into the service,' recalled Esther Starkey,Gregory's wife. "He loved the service and was proud of what he did.
    Cpl. Starkey served a four year stint in the U.S.Navy, primarily aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S.Tinconderga, but wanted to be closer to the action, his brother said.
    Starkey was in Vietnam a week and a half, an hour and a half into field duty when the mine killed him alone among the seven man crew, Esther Starkey said.
    "If more would have come out of it I think we could understand it better." Esther Starkey said. "I don't see where they really achieved anything through the war and the loss of life."
    William Dubb said: "I was totally against that darned stupid war," and added of his son, " he just kind of went along with it."
    The son was PFC. Dewain Dubb, a 1966 graduate of Ferndale High School. He died in a firefight in the central highlands near the Cambodian and Laotian borders. He was the older of two brothers. " He had a great personality and a lot of friends," his father said. " He probably died for nothing, for the stupidity of that war."
    (Bellingham Herald, Bellingham WA, 25 May 1987)

Thank You Obituary provided by Bob Witherspoon. Picture provided by Barbara Jensen

    John Timothy LANE

Birth 26FEB48 Rank PFC Date of Death 04MAY68 P. of birth Fullerton CA Service Army (Draft) Place Hau Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Brewster Unit Bravo Co, 1st platoon, 4th Bn, 9th Inf Reg - Manchu Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56986226 Panel 54EAST - 36   married Single Link Bridgeport Medals Distinguished Service Cross Tour Date 01MAR68 Comment   Cemetery

Pfc John T. Lane, 29, son of Mr. and Mrs. John S. Lane of Brewster was killed in combat in Vietnam. May 4 (1968). He was born in Fullerton CA, 26 Feb 1948, and came to Brewster with his family in 1964. He was graduated from Brewster High School in 1966, and entered the Army 25 Sep 1967. Two months ago he arrived in Vietnam. He was a member of the Church of Christ, Pateros. Surviving are his parents two sisters, Treena Johnson, Ellensburg, and JoElla Lane at home; and his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Stewart, Lailabra CA. William Barnes, Brewster is in charge of arrangements.   Brewsterarticle (Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee 15 May 1968)

Posthumous Award Honors Pfc. Lane
    Pfc. John T. Lane, of Brewster, who hurled himself on an enemy grenade to save the life of his fellow soldiers, has been posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
    The award was presented to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Lane, of Rt. 1 Bx 197-A, Brewster, by Brig. Gen. Richard L. Irby, deputy commanding general Fort Lewis.
    Last May Lane and three men had moved into a night defensive position when an enemy force began to infiltrate his unit perimeter.
    During the fierce fire fight, an enemy soldier threw a hand grenade which exploded in the hole when the solders were located.
    With complete disregard for his own safety, he covered the explosion with his own body.
    At the time of his death, Lane was a member of the 9th Infantry Division.
Bridgeport Moving Wall, 27 Oct 2003

The Moving Wall October 2003 "The Moving Wall" was brought to Bridgeport by very dedicated volunteers ... Visit Bridgeport Wall of Remembrance to view the community's photo scrapbook... or Remembering: Bridgeport for my pictures and comments.

    Jimmie Alan DOLEN

Birth 11JAN47 Rank CPL Date of Death 05MAY68 P. of birth Bremerton Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Bremerton Unit Co D, 1st Bn, 3d Mar, 3d Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2251058 Panel 55EAST - 09   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 13NOV67 Comment   Cemetery

Bremerton Marine, 21, Killed in Vietnam War
    A young Bremerton Marine has been killed in action in the Vietnam war.
    Cpl. Jimmie A. Dolen, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dolen, Pine Road (Rte. 7, Box 1405), died in action 5 May (1968) in the vicinity of Quang Tri province.
    Cpl. Dolen, a Marine Corps spokesman said, died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained while engaged in a firefight with hostile forces.
    He had been in the Marine Corps more than two years and had requested duty in Vietnam.
    “He knew what he was fighting for” his father said. “he had a wonderful outlook as far as life was concerned. These are the things we think of ourselves.”
    Cpl. Dolen was born and raised in Bremerton and had attended East High School. He left high school and became a clown in a circus and later went into stage plays. He traveled in the East Coast and in California. He completed his high school education in the Marine Corps.
    “He was drafted,” a friend, Donovan Nordeen, 3033 Hollywood Ave., said, “and, in turn, while in basic, enlisted, adding another year to his service. He didn’t always know where he was (in Vietnam), but he knew what he was doing. He was fighting for his country.” (Bremerton Sun, Bremerton WA, 10 May 1968

Funeral services for Marine Cpl. Jimmie A. Dolen, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dolen, Pine Road (Rte. 7, Box 1405) are pending. Cpl. Dolen was killed in action in Vietnam 5 May (1968). Besides his parents, he is survived by four brothers, Daniel Troub, Riddell Road, and Charles, Earl, and Michael Dolen of the family home; a sister, Mrs. James (Judy) Salway, Camp Pendleton CA; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bloechl, of the family home, and his paternal grandfather, John Dolen, Manchester. (Bremerton Sun, Bremerton WA, 10 May 1968

    Donald Everett LOWE

Birth 29JAN47 Rank CPL Date of Death 05MAY68 P. of birth Tacoma Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Dinh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 173rd Abn Bde, A Co, 1st Bn, 50th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56958785 Panel 55EAST - 21   married Single Link * 173rd Abn Bde * 1/50 (M) Inf * 173rdAirborne Medals   Tour Date 19DEC67 Comment   Cemetery

Lowe Rites To Be Held Cpl. Donald E. Lowe, 21, of 4312 Tacoma Ave. S, who died 5 May (1968) in Vietnam in action was born in Tacoma and had graduated from Lincoln High School. Cpl. Lowe was an armored personnel carrier operator with the U. S. Army and had been in Vietnam since last December. He was a member of Central Baptist church and the Aero-Mechanics Union. Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Mary F. Lowe of Tacoma, two brothers, George B. with the Air Force in Arizona, and William D., with the Air Force at McChord Air Force Base. Services are announced by Lynn Funeral Home. (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma WA, 15 Jan 1968)

    Lynley Lee RASH

Birth 12FEB48 Rank SP4 Date of Death 05MAY68 P. of birth Kearney NE Service Army Place Plieku, S. Vietnam Town of Record Longview Unit 4th Inf Div, Btry B, 6th Bn, 29th Arty Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 18958744 Panel 55EAST - 28   married Single Link 29th Artillery Medals   Tour Date 17AUG67/td> Comment   Cemetery Lonview Memorial Park, Longview WA

Lynley Rash Obituary
    Full military services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Kelso for Spec. 4 Lynley L. Rash, 20, former Longview (WA) resident who died 12 May (1968) in Vietnam.
    An Army chaplain will officiate at the services at McVickers Chapel on the Hill (in Kelso, WA). Interment will be in Longview Memorial Park.
    Rash, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Rash of Anchorage AK was killed by enemy forces who attacked a convoy of U.S. military vehicles. He had just over 100 days left to serve with his Army unit, Battery B of the 6th Battalion, 29th Artillery, 4th Infantry Division.
    He was born 12 Feb 1948 in Kearney NE, and about three years later the family moved to Longview where he attended elementary school and R.A. Long High School. He enlisted in the Army 3 Nov 1966, and took basic training at Ft. Lewis and advanced infantry training at Ft. Leonard Wood MO, before going to Vietnam last 17 Aug (1967).
    The family moved to Anchorage last October.
    Survivors in addition to the parents are a sister, Mrs. Dixie Sayles of Anchorage; his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Berkheimer of Miller NE; and his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. L.L. Rash of Kearney NE
(unknown Kelso WA newspaper)

Thank you Jon Aldridge for the obituary

    Milton Earl SPEARS

Birth 21SEP47 Rank PFC Date of Death 06MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Hua Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Longview Unit 25th Inf Div, HHC, 4th Bn, 23rd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 56932392 Panel 56EAST - 16   married Single Link Virtual Wall Medals   Tour Date 07NOV67 Comment   Cemetery

Thank you Picture courtesy of Virtual Wall

Gerald Wayne MC CONNEL Jr.

Birth 24APR47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 08MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Moses Lake Unit 1st Cav Div, E Co, 52nd Inf Ranger Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 19871532 Panel 57EAST - 07   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 12DEC66 Comment   Cemetery

M. L. Man Killed in Battle
    Moses Lake soldier Gerald Wayne McConnel Jr., 21, has been reported killed in action in Vietnam. His parents, who reside on Terminal Street at Airway Drive, received a telegram Monday from the Army stating that their son had been "killed by a gunshot wound while on active duty against the enemy."
    Mrs. McConnel said Gerald was serving his second tour of duty in Vietnam. She said he was graduated from Moses Lake School in 1965 and had one quarter at Big Bend Community College before enlisting in the Army.
    Mrs. McConnel said he had entered the Army hoping to get in the helicoptor service since he had been a licnesed pilot since he was 16. She said that during his first service in Vietnam he was attached to an Army helicopter service although not as a pilot. She said he had been returned to Vietnam last January with a long-range reconnaissance group working out of a small camp near Hue. His rank was Specialist Four.
    The parents said Gerald was married to the former Miss Pat Owens here in Moses Lake and that she stayed here during the soldier's first tour of duty. Since that time the Owens family had been transferred to Albuquerque and the wife had been residing with her parents since January. She is expected here Thursday to make funeral arrangements the McConnels said.
    Mrs. McConnel operates a dance studio, and Mr. McConnel works for Holmes Brothers, Inc.
    (Columbia Basin Daily Herald, Moses Lake WA, 14 May 1968)

    Virgil James FOWLER

Birth 11NOV19 Rank SSGT Date of Death 09MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Arlington Unit 1st Cav Div, HHC, 5th Bn, 7th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, rocket, or mortar Hometown Swede Haven service # 39384571 Panel 57EAST - 21 married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 12OCT67 Comment   Cemetery

Virgil Fowler is killed in Viet Nam. The Vietnam War claimed the life of another Arlington area man, 9 May (1968). Supply Sgt. Virgil J. Fowler of Route 3, was killed by mortar fire while delivering supplies by helicopter. Sgt. Fowler, 48, a career Army man, volunteered for duty in Vietnam, arriving there six months ago from Ft. Bragg NC. He was a veteran of World War II, Korean War and was previously stationed in Germany, where his wife now lives. Fowler, a graduate of Darrington High School, was last in Arlington on leave enroute to Vietnam. Surviving Fowler, besides his wife, are his mother, Mrs. Lucille Fowler of Route 3; a sister, Mrs. Evelyn Guffey of Route 3; and his brother John, also of Route 3, His father is the late Ralph Fowler. Burial will be in the United States. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at press time. (Arlington Times, Arlington WA, 23 May 1968)

    Ronald Norman KOITZSCH

Birth 21MAY47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 09MAY68 P. of birth Vancouver WA Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Camas Unit 1st Cav Div, C Co, 1st Bn, 5th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56932752 Panel 57EAST - 26   married Married Link ranger25.com/ Medals   Tour Date 16DEC67 Comment   Cemetery

Remembering Ron - My name is Anna Inez Shurtz and I am the widow of Ronald N. Koitzsch of Camas, Wa. Ron died in Viet Nam in May of 1968. His birthday is coming up on May 21st, he would have been 62 years old. I would like to add a remembrance to Ron. I love you Ron and think about you everyday. I miss you more than you could imagine. May you rest in peace.
Love, Inez (email received 4 Mar 2009

Ronald Koitzsch of Camas dies in Viet Action. Sp/Ronald N. Koitzsch, who would have celebrated his 21st birthday May 21 (1968), was killed in action in Vietnam Thursday, May 9 (1968), while serving with the 1st Air Cavalry. Military honors are pending with burial to be in Washougal Memorial cemetery. A 1966 graduate of Camas high school where a spokesman described him as " a nice youngster... well liked," Ronald was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Koitzsch of Camas. He is also survived by his wife, Inez, and two brothers, Dennis Koitzsch and Jerry Koitzsch, a student at Garfield junior high school. Born in Vancouver 21 May 1947, he had lived in Camas all his life, and had been employed by the local O.K. Tire Store before he joined the service in July, 1967. Koitzsch was selected by the Camas-Washougal Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1966 as the Camas high school senior to receive its "Bootstrap Award." For the last three years Jaycees have given the award to one high school senior in each city who is " most improved" during his high school career. Koitzsch was so honored, a spokesman said, because of his scholastic achievement and " for the way he got along with his fellow classmates" Swank Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. (Post-Record, Camas and Washougal WA 15 May 1968)

Ronald Koitzsch Camas GI loses life in Vietnam Sp-4 Ronald N.Koitzsch,20, a lifetime resident of Camas, was killed in action 9 May (1968) in Vietnam. Koitzsch, who becomes the 33rd man with Clark County ties to be killed in the Vietnam War, was serving with the First Air Calvary Division. No official details were available but it was reported he was a member of a patrol which was ambushed by the Viet Cong. He had been in the service since 12 Jul 1967. He was a 1966 graduate of Camas High School and had been employed at the OK Tire Store in Camas previous to entering the Army. He is survived by his widow,Inez, of Camas; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Koitzsch of Camas; and two brothers, Dennis and Jerry Koitzsch, Camas. (The Columbian, Vancouver WA, 15 May 1968)

    Donald K. Mc NEIL

Birth 05MAR47 Rank WO Date of Death 09MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army (Reserve) Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 1st Cav Div, A Co, 227th Assault Hel Bn Death Code Hostile, Died; Helicopter - Pilot; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown Seattle service # W3158847 Panel 57East - 29   married Married Link Helicopter Medals   Tour Date 15JAN68 Comment   Cemetery   Queen Anne High School, Seattle WA, Junior - yearbook 1964

    Jim Silas TRAW

Birth 05DEC48 Rank SP4 Date of Death 09MAY68 P. of birth Cortez CO Service Army Place Hau Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Lake Stevens Unit 25th Inf Div, Trp D, 3rd Sqrd, 4th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown Lake Stevens service # 18979866 Panel 58EAST - 01   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 21APR68 Comment   Cemetery Cypress Lawn Cemetery, Everett WA

Army Sp. 4 Jim S. Traw, 19 of Route 2 Lake Stevens, died 9 May (1968) from injuries received in Vietnam. Born 5 Dec 1948 in Cortez CO, he had lived at Lake Stevens for 12 years. He was a 1967 graduate of Lake Stevens High School. Specialist Traw entered the Army six months ago. He was a member of Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry. He leaves his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Milton C. Traw of Route 2, Lake Stevens; a sister, Miss Barbara Ann Traw, at home; brother, Max at home; his grandmother, Mrs. Clara Hobbs of Puxico MO; four uncles Charley Traw, of Runnells IA, Howard Hobbs of Evansville WY, Elmore Hobbs of Walla Walla and Silas Hobb of 2230 East Grand Ave; six aunts, Mrs. Cora Fitzpatrick of Marysville, Mrs. Odessa Davis of Aho AZ, Mrs. Thelma Gibson of Richland MO; Mrs. Osa Traw of Richland MO, Mrs Alvin Hull of Puxico MO and Mrs. Ethel Crump of Everett. Jeffory Dean Hobbs, a cousin from Hue, Vietnam, was special escort bring Specialist Traw home. Services: Tuesday, 1 pm, funeral home of Purdy and Walters, Rev. Delmar Barrans of Hartford Assembly of God Church, officiating; burial, Cypress Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers: Gordie Erickson, Greg Posey, Tony Swint, Forrest Brown, Tom Cary and Steve Knutson. Military honors will be performed at the U.S. Army at the Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Hartford Assembly of God Church Memorial Fund. (Everett Herald 1968) (partial missing article)

Sp 4. JIM TRAW Just 15 days after he arrived in Vietnam, Sp. 4 Jim Traw, 19, son of Dr. and Mrs. M. C. Traw, Rt. 2, Box 883, Lake Stevens; was killed by mortar fire. His mother was notified Sunday, Mother's Day, that her son died Thursday, 9 May (1968), at 1 am approximately 20 miles north of Saigon. Specialist Traw, a 1967 graduate of Lake stevens High School, was with a helicopter unit of the 25th Infantry Division, Company D 3/4 Cavalry. In the Army about six months, he had basic training at Ft. Lewis and helicopter maintenance course at Ft. Eustis VA. He was born 5 Dec 1949 in Cortez CO. In addition to his parents, Specialist Traw leaves a sister, Barbara Ann, 14, at home, and brother, Max, 21, a student at the University of Washington. Everett Herald, Everett WA, May 1968)

    John Elden LAIPPLE

Birth 08APR49 Rank SGT Date of Death 12MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 101st Abn Div A Co 2nd Bn 502nd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown ... service # 18992167 Panel 59EAST - 06   Married Single Link Virtual Wall Medals   Tour Date 31AUG67 Comment   Cemetery

Spokane Youth Killed In Action. Spokane Army Spec. 5 John E. Laippe, 19, of Spokane has been killed in Vietnam fighting, relatives here reported Friday. He was the son of Mrs. Addaline P.Seymour of Spokane and John E. Laipple of Anaconda MT Relatives said young Laipple was killed last Sunday by small arms fire. (Oregonian, Portland OR, Sunday, 19 May 1968)

Obituary Army Spec. 4 John E. Laipple, son of Mrs. Addaline P. Seymour, E2822 Wellesley, and John E. Laipple, Anaconda MT, became Spokane County's 44th resident to die in Vietnam fighting. Laipple, 19, a member of 101st Airborne Division, died last Sunday of wounds from small arms fire, relatives reported Friday. The youth would have been in the Army two years 17 Jun (1968) He attended Rogers High School. Survivors include his parents; three sisters, Ellen Seymour, at the Home, Mrs. Fred Kelly, Anaconda MT and Mrs. Butch Collins, Grandview MT and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Hann, Spokane. The body is being sent to Riplinger Funeral Home (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 18 May 1968)

    Amos Lee FRANKLIN

Birth 25MAR45 Rank CPL Date of Death 13MAY68 P. of birth Madisonville KY Service Army (Draft) Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 82nd Abn Div, A Btry, 2nd Bn, 321st Arty Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty - Artillery, Rocket, or Mortar Hometown   service # 29018570 Panel 59EAST - 22   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 1APR68 Comment   Cemetery Willamette National Cemetery, Portland

Ex-Kitsap Man Dies In Action
   A former South Kitsap resident (Port Orchard), Army Cpl. Amos Lee Franklin, 23, was killed in action near Hue in Vietnam 13 May (1968), it was learned here today. Cpl. Franklin, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division died from mortar wounds during enemy shelling of a forward base camp about five mile from Hue. He had been in Vietnam since 2 Apr (1968) and on active duty with the Army since October.
    Cpl. Franklin was born in Madisonville KY, 22 Mar 1945, and moved to the South Kitsap area in 1951. He attended Pleasant Valley Elementary School and Marcus Whitman Junior High School until the family moved to Seattle in 1961. (Bremerton Sun, Bremerton WA, 21 May 1968)

Army Cpl. Amos Lee Franklin, 23, a former South Kitsap area resident, was killed in action May 13 in Vietnam (see news story page 1.) His mother, Mrs. Della Franklin, resides at 7501 Holly Park Drive S., in Seattle. He has four brothers, Roland and Douglas of Seattle, James of Kirkland and Army Spec. 4 Ray Franklin at Ft. Dix, N.J. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Columbia Funeral Home, Seattle. Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.(Bremerton Sun, Bremerton WA, 21 May 1968)

    James Austin RIDER Jr.

Birth 18APR47 Rank CPL Date of Death 13MAY68 P. of birth Seattle Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit Americal Div, 23rd MP Co Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 56956806 Panel 60EAST - 01   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 04OCT67 Comment   Cemetery Holyrood   Roosevelt High School, Seattle WA, 1966

Cpl. James A. Rider Jr. Rosary for Army Cpl. James A. Rider, Jr., 21, of 6846 18th Ave. N.E., will be said at 8p.m. today at the Blessed Sacrament Church. Requiem Mass will be said at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the church. The Booth-Ashmore Mortuary will direct burial in Holyrood. Corporal Rider was killed in action 13 May (1968) near Da Nang, Vietnam, when his jeep struck a land mine. A Seattle native, Corporal Rider was a Roosevelt High School graduate. He entered the Army in September, 1966, and went to Vietnam in October. He was a military policeman. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James A. Rider, and two sisters, Mrs. Mary Lee, Tacoma, and Mrs Barbara Garant, Mountlake Terrace. (The Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 4 May 1968) Yearbook Picture and snapshot provided by the sisters of Jim Rider with love and tulips

    Thomas Nickell TEAGUE

Birth 22APR46 Rank 2LT Date of Death 13MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army (Reserve) Place Tay Ninh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Mountlake Terrace Unit 25th Inf Div, Provisional Co, 125th Signal Bn Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # O5346879 Panel 60EAST - 04   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 19OCT67 Comment   Cemetery

    Vesa Juhani ALAKULPPI

Birth 23APR41 Rank CAPT Date of Death 14MAY68 P. of birth Rovaniemi, Finland Service Army Place Gia Dinh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit Commanding Officer, 'C' Co., 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf. Reg., 199th Light Inf. Bde Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 98573 Panel 60EAST - 07   married Married Link Virtual Wall Medals posthumously awarded the silver star, bronze star with 'V' for Valor Device, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Service Medal. He was entitled to wear the Combat Infantry Badge and Army Parachute Badge Tour Date 11 Aug 1967 Comment graduated West Point class 1963 Cemetery Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle WA

Capt. Vesa J. ALAKULPPI, of 14825 15th NE. Husband of Sharon M., Father of Kimberly Lynne and Kurt Erik, all of home. Son of Lt. Col. and Mrs. Olavie E. Alakulpti, ret., Hopewell VA. Brother of Mrs. Erik Kovanen, Elmhurst NY. Full military services, 2 p.m. Tuesday, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Burial Veteran's Section Evergreen Washelli. Under direction, Bonney-Watson, Northgate. (Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle WA - Obituary Records)

V.J.Alakulppi, Army Captain Military funeral services for Army Captain Vesa J. Alakulppi, 27, of 14825 15th Ave. N.E., will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. The Bonney-Watson Co., will direct burial in Evergreen-Washelli. He was killed in action 14 May (1968) near Saigon. A native of Rovaniemi, Finland, Mr. Alakulppi came here a year ago. He was a 1967 honors graduate of the West Point Academy. He went to Vietnam last September. Surviving are his wife, Sharon M., a daughter, Kimberly Lynne Alakuippi; a son, Kurt Erick Alakuippi, both at the home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Olavi E. Alakulppi, Hopewell VA, and a sister, Mrs. Erick Kovanen, Elmhurst, NY (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, Sunday, 26 May 1968)

Picture and Remembrance available Virtual Wall

    Larry Joseph HARDY

Birth 23DEC47 Rank LCPL Date of Death 14MAY68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Castle Rock Unit BN AID STA HQ BN 3 MAR DIV Death Code Non-Hostile; Ground Casualty; Other Accident, died of illness injury Hometown   service # 2275011 Panel 60EAST - 16   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 14JUL67 Comment   Cemetery

    Carl Richard HUTTULA

Birth 18AUG47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 16MAY68 P. of birth Seattle Service Army (Draft) Place Pien Phong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Elma Unit 1st Avn Bde, C Trp, 7th Sqdr, 1st Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Mt Vernon service # 56959318 Panel 61EAST - 12   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 16JAN68 Comment   Cemetery

Carl Huttula Victim of War. A 20 year old Elma and McCleary man, Specialist 4th class Carl Richard Huttula died last Thursday in Vietnam from wounds suffered while attempting to save another wounded soldier near the Cambodian border. Huttula was born in Seattle, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Blake Huttula, of Elma Pharmacy and had lived his entire life on the Harbor. He would have been 21 years of age on 18 August. He attended Elma schools and was graduated from Elma High School with the class of 1965. He was prominent in sports and was a member of the Elma High School state championship basketball team in 1964. He also served as a member of the high school Student Council. He attended Shoreline Community College in Seattle and was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Elma where he had served as acolyte for 11 years. He joined the Army in August 1967, and was a co-pilot with a helicopter. He received his specialist 4th class rating last April. During his career with the Army he was the recipient of several air medals. Surviving are his wife Terry in McCleary; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Blake Huttula in Elma; a brother, Thomas B. Huttula in Elma; sisters, Janice Carol Huttula in Spokane, and Catherine Elizabeth and Mary Beth Huttula in Elma; maternal grandmother, Mrs. Carl Louis Auer in Seattle: paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R.E. Huttula in Elma; an uncle Pastor Thomas Louis Auer in Montana and numerous other relatives. Funeral arrangements are pending under direction of the Elma Whiteside Company. (The Daily World, Aberdeen WA, 22 May 1968)

    Charles Clifford VAN ALLEN

Birth 26SEP47 Rank WO Date of Death 16MAY68 P. of birth Sedro Woolley Service Army Place Long An, S. Vietnam Town of Record Bellingham Unit 1st Avn Bde, 68th Aviation Company  Death Code Hostile Died; Helicopter - Pilot; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown   service # W3160110 Panel 61EAST - 20   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 17APR68 Comment   Cemetery Hawthorne Lawn Cemetery, Mt. Vernon   Mt. Vernon High School, Mt. Vernon WA , Senior - Class of 1965: Bulldog 4; Football 1

Skagit Soldier Killed in War Charles C. Van Allen, 22, has become the 31st northwest Washington man killed in the Vietnam war. A warrant officer in the Army, Van Allen was killed 16 May (1968). The son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Van Allen, 2400 Donovan Ave., he graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1965 and attended Skagit Valley College before entering the service. In addition to his parents, survivors include grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clossen and Mrs. Maud Theodorsen of Mount Vernon. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. 1 Jun (1968) in the Light Funeral Home. Burial will be in Hawthorne Lawn Cemetery (Mount Vernon) (The Bellingham Herald, Bellingham WA, Friday 24 May 1968)

CHARLES CLOSSEN DIES IN VIETNAM WAR ACTION
    Charles Clossen, 20, son of Clifford Clossen, Clatskanie, was killed while serving with the United States in Vietnam 16 May (1968).
    According to information received by the family, Warrant Officer Clossen was killed when the helicopter he was piloting was shot down in the southeastern Asian country.
    Clossen was born 26 Sep 1947, in Sedro Woolley WA. He first lived in Clear Lake WA and then moved to Mt. Vernon WA as a small boy. He was graduated from Mt. Vernon high school with the class of 1965 and then attended Skagit Valley college in Mount Vernon. He enlisted in the army in the spring of 1967 and was stationed in Mississippi and Alabama where he studied to be a helicopter pilot. He left for duty in Vietnam 11 Apr (1968).
    Survivors include his father, Clifford Clossen of Clatskanie; his mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. Keith Van Allen of Bellingham WA; his grandparents, Charles Clossen, Clatskanie, and Grace Clossen, Mt. Vernon WA; a great grandmother, Mrs. Mary Clossen, Staples; aunts, uncles and other relatives.
    The dead soldier was preceded in death by an infant sister, Elaine, in 1949. (Clatskanie Chief, 16 Jun 1968)

    Jack Lee WHITE

Birth 25JUL44 Rank CPL Date of Death 17MAY68 P. of birth West Virginia Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit I Co, 3/27th, 1st Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2220022 Panel 62EAST - 13   Married Married Link Honor Roll Medals   Tour Date 19FEB68 Comment   Cemetery

Lance Cpl. Jack L. White, 23, of 9905 S. Sheridan Ave., who died Friday in Vietnam, was born in West Virginia and had resided in Tacoma for two years prior to enlisting in the Marines. He had been in the service a year and 10 months, going to Vietnam last February. Prior to enlisting, he had been employed by the St. Regis Container corps., and was a member of the Church of Christ. Survivors include his wife, Nancy L.; a daughter, Sherry Lynn, of the home; his father, Donald White, of West Virginia; a sister, Mrs. Manico Thomasson, of West Virginia; and three brothers, Donald, of Tacoma, Ray, of West Virginia, and David, of Ohio. Services will be announced by Mountain View Funeral Home. (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma WA, 29 May 1968)

    Stephen Rogers YOUNG

Birth 12JUN48 Rank PVT Date of Death 17MAY68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Kennewick Unit K Co, 3rd Bn, 27th Mars Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2164428 Panel 62EAST - 14 Married Single Link Honor Roll Medals   Tour Date 20FEB68 Comment   Cemetery   Kennewick High School, Kennewick WA, Junior - yearbook 1965

2 Tri-City GIS Killed In Recent Vietnam Fights. Two more Tri-City servicemen have been killed in Vietnam--bringing to 16 the number of local men killed in the conflict. Latest casualties are Spec. Robert A. Miller, 21, of 202 E. First Place, Kennewick, and Pvt. Steven Young, formerly of 1539 Thayer Drive, Richland. Miller, killed Saturday (25 May 1968), was home on leave six days earlier. He was assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade near Saigon. He was reported killed by a booby trap while on a combat mission in the jungles near Saigon.
    Young's mother, Maxine Curry, moved to Yakima yesterday, three days after receiving notification of her son's death. Young was killed 17 May (1968) while on a military operation at Quang Nam, South Vietnam.
    A 1966 graduate of Kennewick High School, Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas D. Miller, was drafted by the Army in April 1967 and sent to Vietnam in October. He was a leading wrestler and during his senior year at Kennewick compiled a 23-0 record in the 130 pound weight division before loosing in the state finals. While home last week, Miller became engaged to his high school sweetheart, Kathy Wright, also of Kennewick. His father said Miller was hit by a mortar shell fragments in March, but was back in action the next day. During training, Miller received several trophies for his high scores in physical combat proficiency tests including a perfect 500 in leadership school at Fort Polk LA. The family said there will be a full military funeral. Three of his former wrestling coaches will serve as pallbearers. Other survivors are two brothers, Charles and Mike; sister Charlene, and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Albright, Ephrata. (Tri-Cities Herald, Pasco WA, 27 May 1968)

    Daniel Brian CHRISTENSON

Birth 05OCT47 Rank SGT Date of Death 18MAY68 P. of birth Tonasket Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Oroville Unit 1st Cav Div, B Co, 1st Bn, 8th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 569860003 Panel 62EAST - 16 Married Single Link * Mustangs * Virtual Wall Medals   Tour Date 15FEB68 Memorial Bridgeport Cemetery

Spec. 4 Daniel B. Christenson, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Art Christenson of Oroville, died while on active duty in Veitnam 18 May (1968). He had been overseas three months. A graduate of Oroville High School in 1965, he attended Wenatchee Valley College two years, before entering the Army 29 Aug 1967. He was born in Tonasket 5 Oct 1947. Surviving are: his parents, a brother, Randy, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kline, all of Oroville. The family has arranged for memorial contributions to go into a placque fund. The placque will be inscribed with the names of all the Oroville men who lost their lives in the war in Vietnam. Military graveside services will be conducted by members of the American Legion Monday. Barnes Funeral Serive is in charge of arrangements. Oroville article (Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee 2 Jun 1968)

Remembrance given during Flag Ceremony - "The Moving Wall" - Bridgeport, WA, 27 Oct 2003

The Attack on the Listening Post

    The 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon of Company b, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division (Airmobile) consisting of: Staff Sergeant (SSG) Willard L. Hardin, Specialist fourth Class (SP/4) John R. Pitts, SP/4 Douglas D. Sloan, SP/4 Daniel B. Christenson, SP/4 James E. Newsome, Private First Class (PFC) Randolph Baynard, PFC Gary A. Broas, and PFC James F. Boe, received orders from their Platoon Leader, First Lieutenant (1LT) William W. Blevins, Jr., to move from the company's perimeter on the night of 18 May 1968, and set-up an ambush site along a nearby well travelled road. Then, for the remainder of the night act as a LIstening Post (LP) on a small knoll about 75 meters from the company's position (LPs provide early warning to the company of any advancing enemy amassing for an attack).
    SSG Williard L. Hardin, a recent graduate of the Army's Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Training Program, had arrived that very day to assume command of the squad. Since this was his first day "in the field" and he had never before been in combat, he deferred command to SP/4 John R. Pitts, who had been a member of the 1st Squad for several months. The squad's two fire teams were lead by SP/4s Douglas D. Sloan and Daniel B. Christenson.
    They started out from the company's perimeter about 8:00 pm, in total darkness. Everyone was extremely nervous and jumpy. The company and 1st squad of the 3rd platoon in particular had seen very heavy combat in the last two major operations (Operation Pegasus-Lam Son 207, The Relief of the Khe Sanh and Operation Delaware-Lam Son 216, The Invasion of the A Shau Valley) and had "lost" several members in combat. Their orders were to move east for a distance, and then south to set up an ambush along a road. They arrived at the road, formed their "L" shaped ambush, assigned their watch schedules and waited for about 4 hours. They saw and heard nothing.
    Since the second part of their orders were to form an LP, they "saddled up" (gathered their gear and prepared to move) then moved to the small knowll in the area assigned as their LP site. They formed a small perimeter and continued their watch schedule. In about 15 minutes all hell broke loose. SSG Hardin was not on watch therefore went to sleep immediately. Since he went over the situation so many times with the men in the squad, 1LT Blevins, Captain Howard Wilson (Company Commander_ and the majors and colonels who flew to the company's location the morning after the firefight, he said the chain of events are very clear in his mind. In his own words, here is what happened.
    "We moved to the knoll exactly at midnight and it couldn't have taken us more than 20-25 mintes to get there and another 10-15 minutes to set up. No more than 15 minutes after we were in position (this would put the time at about 12:45 am), Danny heard movement in front of his position (he was in the position nearest to the advancing enemy.) He reported to SP/4 John Pitts, who went to his position to find out what was going on. After a few minutes, Pitts also heard movement. Pitts told Danny to get ready to move out, and then he went around to the other positions awakened the men, told them about the movement and also told them to get ready to move back to the company's perimeter. After Pitts had done this, everyone was awake, bet before we could move-out in an orderly fashion, the NVA attacked.
    They came straight ahead with small arms fire and "satchel charges" (one pound blocks of TNT_. The whole squad started back quickly to the company. They held their weapons behind them and fired occasionally. Danny, I believe, was the only one to fire while still facing the charging NVA. It's hard to say if it was out of bravery or because he was nearest to the attacking enemy and was the most heavily laden (carried the V-60 machine gun). Anyway, Danny fired a burst from his V-60 as he was getting up and was hit with an AK-47 (communist 7.62m assault rifle) round in the chest." Several other members of the squad were wounded at the same time. The LP was overrun by the NVA force. The remaining LP members, both wounded and not, had to feign death, or they would have been executed by the NVA regulars who were searching their bodies and removing their weapons and equipment.
    The battle between B Company and this NVA unit continued throughtout the night. The small arms fire was so intense during this battle that the heat generated from the automatic fire on one NVA's AK-47 melted it's barrel. The weapon was retrieved the next morning.
    Before daybreak the NVA broke contact and escaped west toward the jungle covered mountains in the region known as Base Area 101. The main NVA force left behind one Wounded soldier and many weapons including AK-47's, SKS Carbines, PRG Machine Guns, B40 Rockets and Launchers, 82 mm Mortors, as well as backpacks full of satchel charges (one-pound blocks of TNT, used in sabotage missions_ and other meilitary equipment.
    While making their escape the NVA would carry their dead and wounded while rear elements booby trapped their escape route. They would return to the site of the large grave they dug before the battle, and deposit their dead.
    After daybreak, B Company's 1st Platoon ommaned by Lt. Harold C. Jensen followed the drag marks and blood trails. One of the soldiers in this platoon tripped an explosive booby-trap and three members of the platoon had to be medevaced.
    At first light, Lt. Blevins and a few members of this 3rd platoon returned to the site of the Listening Post. He medevaced the wounded and took charge of Danny's body. Danny's personal possession were inventoried and evacuated with his body.
    Later in the morning, another company in the battalion following the instructions of the POW, found a shallow grave about 5 kilometers west of the firefight location. In it were found approximately 100 NVA dead.
    And that's the end of the story of The Attack on the Listening Post and the death of Danny Christenson of Oroville WA and my cousin.

Presentation given by Walt A. Hart, Oroville councilmember and cousin, at Flag Ceremony, Bridgeport WA, "The Moving Wall, 27 Oct 2003

    Charles Buckley MASON

Birth 04NOV47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 18MAY68 P. of birth Spokane Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 101st Abn Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 502nd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 18992790 Panel 62EAST - 20   married Single Memorial Lewis & Clark Medals   Tour Date 28DEC67 Comment   Cemetery

Three State Soldiers Die In Vietnam Three Washington Army men have died in Vietnam as result of enemy action, the Defense Department announced yesterday. They are: Warrant Officer Thomas R. Pursel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Pursel, Yakima; Sgt. Daniel B. Christenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Christenson, Oroville, Okanogan County; and Specialist 4 Charles B. Mason, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Mason, Spokane. Pursel and Christenson were killed in action and Mason's status was changed from missing to dead in hostile action. (The Seattle Times, Seattle WA, Thursday 23 May 1968)

Obituary Army Spec 4 Charles B. Mason, 20, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Mason, E2715 Thirty-fifth, was killed in combat in Vietnam. His parents were notified that their son died Saturday (18 May 1968) while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. A Spokane native, young Mason attended Adams grade school and was graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1966. He enlisted in the Army in September of that year. Besides his parents at the home, the soldier is survived by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. John Schweighardt at Brewster WA and numerous aunts and uncles. The body will be sent to Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 23 May 1968)

Obituary Funeral services for Army Spec. 4 Charles B. Mason, 20, who was killed in combat in Vietnam 18 May (1968) will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Lincoln Heights Congregational Church. The Rev. Frederick H. Joagg will officiate. Military graveside services will be in Greenwood Memorial Terrace. Mason, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Mason, E2715 Thirty-fifth, was serving with the 101st Airborne Division at the time of his death. The young Spokane native attended Adams Grade School and was graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in 1966. He enlisted in the Army in September of that year. Besides his parents at the home, the soldier is survived by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. John Schweighardt at Brewster WA and numerous aunts and uncles. The body is at Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 3 Jun 1968)

    Allan Marcus FREDRICKSEN

Birth 05OCT48 Rank SP4 Date of Death 19MAY68 P. of birth Sand Point Air St., Seattle WA Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Duong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 11th ACR, A Trp, 1st Sqd, 11th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Bomb Explosion Hometown   service # 56958319 Panel 63EAST - 10   married Single Link Black Horse Medals   Tour Date 20 Aug 67 Comment Enlisted 15Mar68 Cemetery Evergreen-Washelli, Seattle WA

Allen M Fredricksen of U S Army, 6221 Woodlawn Ave. Son of Mrs. Robert L. Fletcher, Seattle, Fred N. Fredricksen, Portland OR. Brother of Steven, Portland OR, Patricia Fredricksen and Yvonne Fletcher, Grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Midtmoen, Mrs. Andrea Fredricksen, Seattle. Services Saturday,11 a.m.Green Lake Funeral Home, Interment Veterans section Washelli. Remembrances may be made to V.F.W. Rehabilitation Fund, 400 Boren Ave. (Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle WA - Obituary Records)

    Larry Vernon JOHNSEN

Birth 15DEC45 Rank PFC Date of Death 19MAY68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit D Co, 1 Bn, 7 Mar, 1 Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2388898 Panel 63EAST - 11   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 08FEB68 Comment   Cemetery

    Gary Paul NOBLE

Birth 19OCT45 Rank PFC Date of Death 19MAY68 P. of birth Bremerton Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Bremerton Unit M Co, 3 Bn, 27 Mar, 1 Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2148282 Panel 63EAST - 15   married Single Comment   Medals   Tour Date 21FEB68 Link Mike Co 3/27th Cemetery Forest Lawn Cemetery West High School, Bremerton WA, Senior - Class of 1964: Football, U. N. Delegate

Bremerton Man Killed in Action
    A Bremerton man who had to volunteer three times for a second combat tour in Vietnam was killed in action Sunday.
    Marine Lance Cpl. Gary Paul Noble, 22, son of Mrs. Donald E. (Peggy) Ward, 1707 4th St., was killed south of Da Nang while engaged in a fire fight with hostile forces, a Marine Corps spokesman said.
    Lance Cpl. Noble was born in Bremerton 19 Oct 1945, and graduated from West High School in 1964. Before entry into the Marine Corps in June, 1965, he had worked as a lifeguard at Memorial Pool in Evergreen Park and at Haselwood Buick auto sales firm, both in Bremerton.
    In October, 1965, he departed for Vietnam and served there until March, 1966, when he was hospitalized and evacuated for malaria.
    “He wanted to make the Marine Corps a career,” his mother said. “They wouldn’t take him and they wouldn’t take him and the third time he volunteered to go back to Vietnam they took him.”
    “He evidently knew what he was doing,” she said. “I just got a letter from him and he said it was so much worse over there this time than it was last time.” (Bremerton Sun, Bremerton WA, 22 May 1968)

Funeral services for Lance Cpl. Gary Noble, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Ward of 1707 4th St., who was killed in action in Vietnam on May 19, will be held Saturday in Bremerton. Cpl. Noble will be buried with military honors following services beginning at 11 a.m. in Lewis Funeral Chapel. He will be buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Cpl. Noble lived all of his civilian life in Bremerton and was a graduate from West High School in 1964. He is survived by his parents and a brother, Duane of the family home; and another brother, Leonard E. Noble, of Spokane. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1965 and would have completed his third year of service Tuesday. (Bremerton Sun, Bremerton WA, 7 Jun 1968)

Noble Services Services are set for Saturday at 11 a.m. for Marine Lance Cpl. Gary Noble, 22, who died in action in Vietnam May 19. Cpl. Noble will be buried with military honors following services beginning at 11 a.m. at Lewis Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Cpl. Noble is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald E. Ward, and a brother, Duane all of 1707 4th St.; a sister, Mrs. Gary Scherfenberg of 1543 Houston Ave.; and another brother, Leonard E. Noble of Spokane.(Bremerton Sun, Bremerton WA, 6 Jun 1968)

    Thomas Ronald PURSEL

Birth 17SEP48 Rank WO Date of Death 19MAY68 P. of birth Urbana IL Service Army (Reserve) Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Yakima Unit 1st Cav Div, HSC, 15th Med Bn Death Code Hostile Died; Helicopter - Pilot; Air Loss Crash - Land Hometown   service # W31589216 Panel 63EAST - 16 Married Single Link Helicopter Medals   Tour Date 18JAN68 Comment   Cemetery

Thomas Ronald Pursel, 19, 2011 S. 64th Ave., died Sunday in Vietnam as a result of sniper fire while flying as aircraft commander of a helicopter evacuating wounded troops. Born in Urbana IL, Mr. Pursel came to Yakima in 1959, After graduating from West Valley High School in 1966, he attended Yakima Valley College for one quarter, then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was an Warrant Officer attached to Headquarters Supply Command, 15th Medical Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry. Mr. Pursel is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Pursel; two brothers, David, serving in the U.S. Navy on Guam, and Michael, Yakima; and his grandmother, Mrs. Mable Pursel, Champaign IL. (Yakima Morning Herald, Yakima WA Wednesday 22 May 1968)

    Gary Lee WILKINS

Birth 09JUN48 Rank LCPL Date of Death 19MAY68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Longview Unit H Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Mars Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2275126 Panel 64EAST - 02   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 02FEB68 Comment   Cemetery

    David Wesley MOSELEY

Birth 20APR49 Rank PFC Date of Death 22MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Hau Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 25th Inf Div, Trp C, 3rd Sqrd, 4th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 18980187 Panel 65EAST - 13   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 02MAR68 Comment   Cemetery

Two Killed Army Specialist Allan M. Fredricksen, 19, and Pfc. David W. Moseley, 19, have been killed in action in Vietnam. Fredrickson is the son of Mrs. Robert L. Fletcher, 6221 Woodlawn Ave. N. Surviving are his wife, Francis, 822 S.W. 96th Place, and his parents., Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Moseley, 10030 Sixth Ave. S.W. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 26 May 1968)

    Bruce Herbert DYER

Birth 02NOV46 Rank SP4 Date of Death 23MAY68 P. of birth Topeka KS Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Duong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Federal Way Unit 25th Inf Div, A Co, 2nd Bn, 14th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 56959291 Panel 66EAST - 08  married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 17JAN68 Comment   Cemetery Washington Memorial

Bruce H. Dyer Killed in Vietnam
Spec. 4 Bruce H. Dyer, 21, of the U.S. Army, was killed in action in Vietnam 23 May (1968). A native of Topeka KS, he had lived in Seattle for 17 years before going into the Army. Survivors: Father, Vernal R. Dyer, Kent; sister, Mrs. James A. Michaelson, Kent; grandmother, Mrs. Edith Allen, Boise ID. Services and burial Saturday, 3 p.m., Washington Memorial. (Post-Intelligencer, Seattle, Friday 7 Jun 1968)

    Billy Joe PARRISH

Birth 11MAR36 Rank SFC Date of Death 23MAY68 P. of birth Marshall Co. AL Service Army Place Hua Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 25th Inf Div, HHC, 2nd Bn, 27th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 14523630 Panel 67EAST - 01   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 17DEC67 Comment   Cemetery

Sgt. Billy Joe Parrish, 32, of 810 S. 45th St., who died in action in Vietnam 23 May (1968), was born in Marshall County AL and came to Tacoma in 1956. He was a member of the Baptist Church and was an Army veteran of Korea and Vietnam. Survivors include his wife, Joyce M.; three sons, Tary and David C. Parrish, of the home, and Rickie Pender, of the home; his father, Artemus, of Chicago; his mother, Mrs. Louise Baldi, of Memphis TN; two sisters, Mrs. Janell Littlefield, of Cheyenne WY, and Mrs. Wanda Green of Coon Rapids MN; and a brother Robert, of Chicago. Services will be announced by Mountain View Funeral Home. (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma WA, 30 May 1968)

    Robert Allen HAYDEN

Birth 21JUN47 Rank CPL Date of Death 24MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tin, S. Vietnam Town of Record Bridgeport Unit 198th LIB, A Co, 1st Bn, 6th Inf Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56985937 Panel 68EAST - 02   Married Single Link Bridgeport Medals Bronze Star Tour Date 09FEB68 Comment   Cemetery   Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport WA 1967

Funeral Notice: Services will be held Tuesday at 2pm from the Methodist church Bridgeport with the Rev. Hierholter officiating. Interment will be in Bridgeport Cemetery. Arrangements by William Barnes,Brewster.

Remembrance Bridgeport "The Moving Wall" 26 Oct 2003 On May 24 1968 Company A was sweeping through an area of rough terrain 14 miles west of Tam Ky Republic of Vietnam. At 2:12 p.m. they under extremely heavy enemy automatic weapons fire. In the exchange of fire that followed Robert (Hayden) received a gunshot wound. A medical evacuation Helicopter was immediately brought to the scene, but in spite of all efforts Robert died before reaching hospital facilites. unknown handwritten note... memorial book

Remembrance for Bob Hayden by his niece, Sara Hayden Robert was my uncle. He died when I was 6 years old. My dad was his half brother. His survivors included 2 half-brothers, Marion Hayden of Fort Dodge, Iowa and Russell Hayden of Spokane, Washington and 1 half -sister, Agnes Hayden of Davenport, Iowa. He was also survived by 2 nieces and 2 nephews. Sara Hayden, Email received 12 Nov 2003

    Gary Lee PATTERSON

Birth 22MAY45 Rank SGT Date of Death 24MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 196th LIB, A Co, 3rd Bn, 21st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56958713 Panel 68EAST - 06  married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 28APR68 Comment   Cemetery   Franklin High School, Seattle WA, Senior - Class 1963

Former Tri-Citian Killed in Vietnam. A former Columbian Basin college student, Army Sgt. Gary Patterson, 23, was killed 24 May (1968) while on duty near Da Nang, in South Vietnam. The grandson of Mrs. Ida Combs, 327 S. Highland Drive, Kennewick, he had been serving in Vietnam for only one month. In a letter dated 19 May (1968), Patterson wrote that his unit had been" torn up pretty badly" but he had not yet seen action. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Patterson, Seattle, and the nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Combs and Mr. and Mrs. Burl Combs, Pasco; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Fowler, Richland; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Nicklaus, Roseburg OR., and Mr. and Mrs. Willard Combs, Colbalt ID. He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Douglas Beeman, Seattle. Services were scheduled for 1 p.m. today in Seattle. (Tri-Cities Herald, Pasco WA, 7 Jun 1968)

Today Is Day G.I.'s Parents Didn't Want. by Robert A. Barr
    "He died doing what he thought was right- even though he hated it."
    The comments of Rhey E. Patterson, whose son, Sgt. Gary L. Patterson, 23, was killed in action in South Vietnam 24 May(1968), carried a strange mixture of pride, sorrow, resolution and resignation.
    This was a Memorial Day that Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, 4001 S. Willow St., had prayed fervently would never happened to them. Gary was their only son.
    "Íts hard to believe." the father said. "He was killed a year to the day from when he into the Army. But once he made up his mind he said, "Dad, I'm going to be the best damned soldier in the Army."
    "His birthday was 22 May (1968) and we were hoping we'd a letter from him. He did write us on the 22nd and we got it Monday."
    "It was strange. When we went to get the letter, it was there, all right, but so was an Army Sergeant. We knew immediately what it meant."
    "It was awfully hard at first, but we have many good friends, and there's one thing we're almost certain about now. It pays to have faith. We felt sorry for the sergeant. Because he saw the letter, too.
    In the letter were accounts of the young man's life of fighting. He told of dense jungles on near vertical mountain slopes and of sweltering valleys.
    "They're only about 300 foot mountains but they're straight up and you just can't believe how dense the foliage is," he wrote. "Leeches keep dropping on you... It's 125 to 130 degrees. You climb up with a 60 pound pack and your ammo and rifle. Then you have to sit in the sun -- no shade anywhere... It's hell."
    Sergeant Patterson was a Franklin High school graduate. He attended junior colleges and the University of Washington. He has one sister, Mrs. Douglas (Sandy) Beeman, Seattle, and two step-grandmothers, Mrs. Emily Patterson, Seattle, and Mrs. Ida Combs, Kennewick. He was a member of Brighton Presbyterian Church. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 30 May 1968)

    John Joseph HANLEY

Birth 04AUG48 Rank HM3 (Corpsman) Date of Death 25MAY68 P. of birth Tonasket Service Navy Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Wenatchee Unit "H&S Co, 2 Bn, 4 Mars, 3 Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # B809152 Panel 68WEST - 02   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 05MAY68 Comment   Cemetery   Wenatchee High School, Wenatchee WA Senior - Class of 1966

John Joseph Hanley, Navy hospitalman third class, 19 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John T. Hanley of Twisp, was killed in combat 25 May (1968) at Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. A Navy medical corpsman he was serving with a U.S. Marine Corps unit. He died of wounds from enemy rifle fire. He had been in Vietnam 14 days.He was a graduate of Wenatchee High School. He was born in Tonasket, 4 Aug 1948. In February of 1966 he enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed at the Pearl Harbor Dispensary one year before volunteering for medical field training at Camp Pendleton. After a brief stay in Okinawa he went to Vietnam. He was a member of the Catholic Church. Surviving are his parents, a brother, Thomas James Hanley at home, five sisters, Mary Jane Hanley at home, Mrs. Jon Junquist, Yakima, Mrs. Gary Hart, Tonasket, Mrs James Standerford, Oroville and Mrs. Carol Hill, Twisp, and his grandfather in Pennsylvania. Military services will be announced at a later date by the Jones & Jones Funeral Home. Twisp article(Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee 5 Jun 1968)

    Antonio LOPEZ Jr.

Birth 17JAN39 Rank SSGT Date of Death 25MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Kontum, S. Vietnam Town of Record Mission TX Unit 4th Inf Div, Trp C, 2nd Sqd, 1st Cavalry Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple fragmentation wounds Hometown   service # 54334514 Panel 67WEST - 05 married Married Local Moses Lake WA Medals   Tour Date 10AUG67 Comment   Cemetery Willamette Cem., Portland OR

Lopez Rites Set Tuesday
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church here (Moses Lake WA) for Staff Sgt Antonio Lopez Jr.; who died 25 May (1968) in Vietnam. A funeral Mass will be recited by Rev. Edmond McGrath, pastor. Burial will be in Willamette National Cemetery at Portland Wednesday noon. The Rosary will be recited at 7:30 o'clock tonight in the church. Sgt. Lopez was born 17 Jan 1939, in Mexico. He had been in the Army for the past. four years. Survivors include the wife Gabriella of Moses Lake, his parents Mr.. and Mrs. Antonio Lopez Sr. at 1026 Columbia Ave.; six brothers, Juan of Warden, Ignacio of Weed CA, and Agatito, Jose, Jesus and Mike, all of Moses Lake, and four sisters, Mrs. Josephine Capetillo of Harlingen TX and Mrs. Michaela Vela, Eustolia Lopez and Mary Lou Lopez, all of Moses Lake. The Eccleston-Penhallurick Chapel of Memorials is in charge. (Columbia Basin Daily Herald, Moses Lake WA, 10 Jun 1968)

    Dennis Ray SWANTAK

Birth 17APR46 Rank SSGT Date of Death 25MAY68 P. of birth New York Service Army Place Hau Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Shelton Unit 25th Inf Div, Trp B, 3rd Sqrd, 4th Cav Death Code Hostile Died; Ground Casualty; Other Causes Hometown   service # 19773229 Panel 67WEST - 05   married yes MIA -   Medals   Tour Date   Comment   Cemetery Shelton Memorial Park

Swantak Killed in Vietnam
    S/Sgt. Dennis Swantak, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Swantak, Shelton, was killed in Vietnam 25 May (1968), the family was notified last week.
    The Army had not yet related details of his death to the family, although they were told he had been killed in Saigon.
    Sgt. Swantak was a tank commander. He had been in Shelton earlier this year before going to his assignment in Vietnam.
    He had returned after spending three years in Germany with his wife, Eva, whom he had met and married there, and their infant son, Glen.
    He had been in the Army almost six years, and had only about five months to go before his enlistment was up.
    Sgt. Swantak was born in New York in 1946 and came to the Poulsbo area with his family as a youngster. The family operated a dairy farm in the Poulsbo area seven years before moving to the Kamilche Valley where they operate a dairy farm now.
    He enlisted in the Army after attending Shelton High School.
    The family said the body would be airlifted here for burial.
    Survivors in addition to his parents, wife and son, include four sisters, Mrs. Ray (Joyce) Waddell, Shelton; Mrs. Bob (Linda) Miller, Henderson NV and Laura and Pamela Swantak, at the family home and three brothers, Larry, William and Stevens, all at home. (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 5 Jun 1968)

Swantak Services Are Held
    Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Edward's Catholic Church for Dennis Swantak, 22, Shelton, killed in Vietnam 25 May (1968).
    Fr. Gabriel Donohue officated at the service. Burial was in Shelton Memorial Park.
    The young soldier's body was returned here after his death in Vietnam.
    Survivors include his wife, Eva, one son, Glenn, Shelton; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Swantak, Shelton; three brothers, Larry, William and Stephen, all of Shelton; four sisters, Mrs. Ray (Joyce) Waddell, Shelton; Mrs. Robert (Linda) Miller, Henderson NV; and Laura and Pamela Swantak, at home, and grandparents, Charles Warrner, Shelton, and Mrs. Laura Swantak, South Kortright, NY. (Shelton-Mason County Journal, 13 Jun 1968)

    Robert Arnold WHITNEY aka Robert Arnold MILLER

Birth 20JAN47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 25MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Thuy, S. Vietnam Town of Record Kennewick Unit 199th LIB, A Co, 2nd Bn, 3rd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 56985622 Panel 67WEST - 07   married   Link Virtual Wall Medals   Tour Date 08OCT67 Comment   Cemetery

Robert Arnold Whitney/Robert Arnold Miller. Cindi Grant, from West Richland, and Bruce Swander helped sort out Robert Arnold Whitney Miller. According to Robert's enlistment papers he was the son of Charles L. Whitney of Warden WA and Doris M. Miller of Kennewick WA. The Funeral Home records list him as Robert A. Whitney Miller. His headstone says simple Robert Arnold Miller. This information has been sent to the committee for the Vietnam Memorial Wall, Washington D.C. and will be posted to other Wall internet websites. Again thank you Cindi for the picture and the helping hand.)

2 Tri-City GIS Killed In Recent Vietnam Fights. Two more Tri-City servicemen have been killed in Vietnam--bringing to 16 the number of local men killed in the conflict. Latest casualties are Spec. Robert A. Miller, 21, of 202 E. First Place, Kennewick, and Pvt. Steven Young, formerly of 1539 Thayer Drive, Richland. Miller, killed Saturday (25 May 1968), was home on leave six days earlier. He was assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade near Saigon. He was reported killed by a booby trap while on a combat mission in the jungles near Saigon.
    Young's mother, Maxine Curry, moved to Yakima yesterday, three days after receiving notification of her son's death. Young was killed 17 May (1968) while on a military operation at Quang Nam, South Vietnam.
    A 1966 graduate of Kennewick High School, Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas D. Miller, was drafted by the Army in April 1967 and sent to Vietnam in October. He was a leading wrestler and during his senior year at Kennewick compiled a 23-0 record in the 130 pound weight division before loosing in the state finals. While home last week, Miller became engaged to his high school sweetheart, Kathy Wright, also of Kennewick. His father said Miller was hit by a mortar shell fragments in March, but was back in action the next day. During training, Miller received several trophies for his high scores in physical combat proficiency tests including a perfect 500 in leadership school at Fort Polk LA. The family said there will be a full military funeral. Three of his former wrestling coaches will serve as pallbearers. Other survivors are two brothers, Charles and Mike; sister Charlene, and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Albright, Ephrata. (Tri-Cities Herald, Pasco WA, 27 May 1968)

Robert A. Miller Services for Spec.4, Robert A. Miller, 21, who died 25 May (1968), in Vietnam, will be Friday at 10 am. at Mueller's Funeral Home, Kennewick. Virgil G. Iverson, Army Chaplain, will officiate. Military graveside services will follow at Desert Lawn Memorial Park. He was born 20 Jan 1947 at Mabton. Survivors include his parents; brothers, Charles, a student at the University of Washington, and Mike, Kennewick; a sister Charlene, Kennewick, and maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Albright, Bridgeport. Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Kennewick High School wrestling memorial fund, in care of Ron Snow. (Tri-Cities Herald, Pasco WA, June 1968)

Famlies Accept Posthumous Medals A Seattle housewife yesterday accepted decorations earned by her husband, Pfc. Leonard O. Graves, who died of combat wounds in Vietnam last September. Relatives of three other Washington servicemen also received decorations presented by Col. Harold N. Gilbert, Fort Lewis adjutant general at the post. Mrs. Kramer M. Graves, 959 1/2 20th Ave., received the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart earned by her husband. Graves, of the 25th Infantry Division, raced through Intense enemy fire to rescue another soldier.
  Mrs. Betty L. Scavella,Tacoma received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart earned by her husband, Master Sgt. Allan N. Scavella.
  The Bronze Star and Purple Heart were presented to Mrs. Doris Miller, Kennewick, for her son, Spec. 4. Robert A. Whitney.
  Mr. and Mrs. Harry Petersen, Buckley, accepted the Bronze Star won by their son, Pfc. Harry A. Petersen.
  Earlier the Distinguished Service Cross was presented to Staff Sgt. William J. Lines, Tacoma, who led a volunteer platoon to aid another involved in a fierce firefight with Viet Cong. Lines, whose wife is the former Patricia Ross of Mercer Island, is now assigned to Company A., 4th Battalion.1st Brigade, at Fort Lewis. (Times, Seattle WA, 7 May 1969)

Booby Trap Kills Former Warden Youth
    Spec. 4 Robert A. Whitney, 21, a former warden resident, was killed last. week by a Viet Cong booby trap while serving with the Army in Vietnam, relatives have reported.
    The young man's uncle, Marvin Whitney of Moses Lake, said he was a member of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.
    Whitney attended school in Warden from 1959 to 1961 and was a graduate of the High school in Kennewick where he was an outstanding wrestler. He had been in the Army for slightly more than a year.
    Besides his father and stepmother in Warden, Whitney is survived by his mother, Mrs. Doris Miller of Kennewick; his grandmother, Mrs. Clarence Albright of Brewster; two brothers, Charles Jr. at the University of Washington and Ed, Kennewick, a sister, Charlene of Kennewick; two stepbrothers, Pfc. Lawrence Walsh with the Army in Vietnam and John Graham of Warden; two stepsisters, Mrs. Cheryle Withers and George Anne Walsh of Warden.
    Other local relatives include four uncles, Clyde and Lloyd Whitney of Warden; Ivan Whitney of Othello and Marvin Whitney of Moses Lake; and aunt, Mrs. Lawrence (Ruth) Berg of Warden.
    Funeral services will be held at Kennewick. Arrangements are pending the arrival of the body from Vietnam.
    Columbia Basin Daily Herald, Moses Lake WA, 30 May 1969)

    James Francis ELLIS

Birth 31MAY48 Rank LCPL Date of Death 27MAY68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit ... Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 2266318 Panel 65WEST - 06   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 29OCT67 Comment   Cemetery

    Alan Glen CARTER

Birth 20MAR46 Rank SGT Date of Death 28MAY68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 101st Abn Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 502nd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 18977436 Panel 64WEST - 06   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 08MAY68 Comment   Cemetery

Rites Set Funeral services for Alan G. Carter, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen A. Carter, of 3214 N. 25th St. who died 28 May (1968) in Vietnam will be held Thursday at First Methodist Church. Services are announced by Buckley King Mortuary. (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma WA, 12 Jul )

    Ransom Craig CYR

Birth 11FEB46 Rank SP4 Date of Death 28MAY68 P. of birth Seattle WA Service Army Place Gia Dinh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Mercer Island Unit 1st Sig Bde 221th Photo 721st Sig Bn 69th Sig CM PD Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown Mercer Island service # 18975344 Panel 64WEST - 07   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 18APR67 Comment   Cemetery   Central Washington State College, Ellensburg Freshman - yearbook 1965

Island Man Lost in Combat. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Cyr of Mercer Island received word last Wednesday that their son Ransom C., age 22, had died 28 May (1968), in Vietnam of wounds received on a photo mission. Ransom, an Army Specialist 4th class, had been home on leave in late April and early last month, after serving one year in Vietnam. He had requested an extension of combat duty and returned May 14. Born in Seattle, Ransom had lived most of his life on Mercer Island schools graduating from the High school in 1964. After two years at Central Washington State College, he enlisted in the Army for a three year tour of duty. He took Basic training at Fort Lewis, extended training at Fort Mommouth NJ, and became a combat photographer. Surviving in addition to his parents are a sister, Petty Officer Janice C. Cyr, USN, and three brothers: Daniel John of Seattle, and Michael J., 20, and Toby w., 18, of Mercer Island. (MI Reporter, Mercer Island, 6 Jun 1968)    

Charles James WHYTE

Birth 24JUN43 Rank SGT Date of Death 28MAY68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Olympia Unit I Co, 3/27th Mar, 1st Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2108109 Panel 63WEST - 01   married Single Comment   Medals   Tour Date 19FEB68 Link India Company Cemetery

    Robert Leslie MYERS

Birth 24SEP48 Rank PVT Date of Death 29MAY68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit C Co, 1st Bn, 4th Mars Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 2388890 Panel 63WEST - 10   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 7JAN68 Comment   Cemetery

    Robert Kent PERRY

Birth 24JUN47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 29MAY68 P. of birth Colville WA Service Army (Reserve) Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Cashmere Unit 1st Cav Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 5th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown Cashmere service # 56985953 Panel 63WEST - 11   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 09FEB68 Comment   Cemetery       Cashmere High School, Cashmere WA, 1967

Spec 4 Robert Perry, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs John Perry of Cashmere, died of combat wounds in Vietnam 29 May (1968). He was born 24 Jun 1947, at Colville, and moved to Cashmere with his parents in 1957. He graduated from high school here in 1965, and attended Wenatchee Valley College. He was active in the school sports program. Later he worked in Spokane where he married Christy Burn, 27 Jan 1968. Last year he entered the Army and in February of this year went to Vietnam. Surviving are his widow of Cashmere, his parents; his brothers Bill of Issaquah, and Monte,John and James of Cashmere; his sisters Edith Perry and Mary Keller of Cashmere; his grandmothers, Mrs.D.H. Perry, Electric City; and his great grandmother Mrs. E. Perry, Tacoma. The body is being brought to Cashmere. Services will be announced by Braun Funeral Home. Cashmere article (Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee 3 Jun 1968)