Woodrow Wilson High School Tacoma 1965

Birth 02NOV46 Rank SGT Date of Death 01OCT68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 101st Abn Div, A Co, 2nd Bn, 506th Inf Death Code Non-Hostile Died; Ground Casualty; Drowned Suffocated Hometown   service # 18977173 Panel 42WEST - 54   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 22NOV67 Comment   Cemetery

Jerry Lee PIERCE Jr.

Birth 05SEP47 Rank SP5 Date of Death 03OCT68 P. of birth Spokane Service Army Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 1st Cav Div, A Co, 228th Sup Hel Bn Death Code Non-Hostile, Died; Helicopter - Crew; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown   service # 18994157 Panel 42WEST - 72   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 14FEB68 Comment   Cemetery Holy Cross Cemetery

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Monday for Spec 5 Jerry L. Pierce Jr., killed in an air collision in Vietnam 3 Oct (1968). the services will be at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. Francis W. McGuigan, S.J. officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Mr. Pierce was born in Spokane, but attended High school in Seattle. He enlisted in the Army in June 1967, and served with the 228th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam. Survivors include his wife, Frances, at the Home, N4617 Jefferson; a daughter, Tamie Lee, born six days ago; his father, Jerry L. Pierce, Spokane; his mother, Mrs. Patricia Mitchell, Zenith WA, and his grandmothers, Mrs. Lola Whiteman, Spokane, and Mrs. Martha Pierce, OK. Rosary will be said at 7 this evening at Hennessey Funeral Home. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 3 Nov 1968 )

Army Spec. 5 Jerry L. Pierce Jr., 21, husband of Frances M. Pierce, E2229 1/2 Boone, was killed 3 Oct (1968) in an airplane accident in South Vietnam, it was learned here Wednesday. Specialist Pierce is the 59th Spokane County man to die while serving in South Vietnam. Army sources said Pierce died in the airborne crash of a C7 twin-engine cargo plane and a double rotor Chinook helicopter about 11 miles north of Hue. He was assigned to the 1st Cavalry (Air Mobile) Division last February. Born in Spokane, he attended grade school here. He entered the Army in June 1967 after working in the Spokane area for a time following graduation from High school in Seattle. Pierce's wife is expecting the couple's first child within a month. Other survivors include his father, Jerry L. Pierce of Spokane; his mother, Mrs. Patricia Mitchell, Zenith WA and five step-brothers and sisters. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 10 Oct 1968 )

Harry Allen 'Allen' PETERSEN

Birth 05JAN47 Rank PFC Date of Death 04OCT68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Long, S. Vietnam Town of Record Buckley Unit 1st Inf Div, Trp A, 1st Sqdr, 4th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56960269 Panel 41WEST - 07 married Married MIA -   Medals Bronze Star Tour Date 27APR68 Comment   Cemetery Buckley Cem., Buckley White River High School, Buckley WA, Senior - Class 1965: I take each day as it comes. Football 3; Baseball 2; Wrestling 1, 2.

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)

Kenneth Howard SILLS

Birth 07JAN48 Rank CPL Date of Death 07OCT68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Hua Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 25th Inf Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 12th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56986588 Panel 41WEST - 27   married Single Link Virtual Wall Medals   Tour Date 22JUN68 Comment   Cemetery Cremated

Picture and more biography available Virtual Wall

Cpl. Kenneth H. Sills, 20, a 1966, graduate of Shadle High School, was killed in action 7 Oct (1968) in Vietnam. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard M. Sills, W3120 Kiernan, he was killed while on a combat operation, Army officials said Friday. He was a member of Company B, Second Battalion, 12th Infantry of the 25th Division. Sills was a private first class at the time of his death, but was promoted to corporal posthumously, Army officials said. He was a member of the football team at Shadle and attended Spokane Community College for two terms. Sills signed up for the draft in January of this year (1968). In addition to his parents, survivors include a sister, Mrs. Robert P. Miller, Moses Lake WA; a grandmother, Mrs. Sara Sills, Seattle; aunts, Mrs. Mildred Robison and Mrs. W. E. Johnson, an uncle, Harold Sills all of Spokane Valley and several other aunts, uncles and cousins. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 12 Oct 1968)

SILLS, Cpl. Kenneth H. -- His home W3120 Kiernan. Son of Mr. & Mrs. Howard M. Sills, at the home. Brother of Mrs. Robert P. (Judie) Miller, Moses Lake WA; uncle of Darren Miller, Moses Lake WA. Grandson of Mrs. Sadie Sills, Seattle, several aunts, uncles & cousins. A graduate of Shadle Park High School, class of June 1966. Funeral services Sun 30 Oct (1968) at 3 a.m. in the Alwin Chapel of the Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, N1306 Monroe St. Dr. Robert A. Mills officiating. Cremation services Hazen & Jaeger Crematorium, N1306 Monroe St. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 19 Oct 1968)

Morris Jerome ROSS

Birth 01NOV41 Rank WO Date of Death 09OCT68 P. of birth Seattle Service Army (REserve) Place Kien Phong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 1st Avn Bde 191st Aviation Co Death Code Non-Hostile, Died; Helicopter - Crew; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown   service # W3160930 Panel 41WEST - 36   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 18JUL68 Comment   Cemetery

Former Tacoman War Victim WO1 Morris J. Ross, 26, of 1910 NE 120th, Seattle, formerly of Tacoma, died Wednesday in Vietnam from injuries received in a helicopter crash. He was born in Seattle and was graduated from Clover Park High School in Tacoma. He was employed by Boeing Company before entering the Army this year. Survivors include his wife, Marcia, of the home; a son, Alyen, of Maple Valley; a brother, Dennis Brown, of Tacoma; his mother, Frances Aune, of Tacoma; his father, Theodore Ross, of Lakewood, and his grandmother, Mrs. Leona Knight, of Tacoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Mountain View Funeral Home. (Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma WA, 11 Oct 1968 )

Wayne George HENSLEY

Birth 02MAY48 Rank SGT Date of Death 11OCT68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Long An, S. Vietnam Town of Record Prosser Unit 9th Inf Div, Co C, 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 56986150 Panel   married Married MIA - 41WEST - 46   Medals   Tour Date 02AUG68 Comment 9th Infantry Cemetery

Alvin Rutherford HOOVER III

Birth 09APR46 Rank SGT Date of Death 11OCT68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Redmond Unit 5th Inf Div, C Co, 1st Bn, 61st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown ... service # 56958988 Panel 41WEST - 47   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 25JUL68 Comment   Cemetery

Christopher Henry INAY

Birth 23DEC48 Rank LCPL Date of Death 11OCT68 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Wapato Unit ... Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2388803 Panel 41WEST - 47   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 01JAN68 Comment   Cemetery

Pierce Mallory KIMBALL

Birth 25MAR46 Rank SP4 Date of Death 13OCT68 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Duong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 1st Inf Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 2nd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 56959006 Panel 41WEST - 59   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 09DEC67 Comment   Cemetery

Michael John 'Bat' MASTERSON

Washington State University Pullman WA 1960

Birth 16MAY37 Rank LTC Date of Event 13OCT68 P. of birth Canada Service Air Force Place Ban Ban, Laos Town of Record Ephrata Unit 7th AF, 56th ACW/SOW, 602ND SOS Death Code Hostile, Died Missing; Fixed Wing - Pilot; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown   service # 537321147 Panel 41WEST - 61   married Married MIA - BNR Declared Dead: 20NOV78 Medals   Tour Date   Comment featured in Shrapnel in the Heart by Laura Palmer Cemetery

(MIA report is extracted from the POWNETWORK.org) Michael John 'Bat' Masterson was born 16 May 1937. On 13 Oct 1968 while assigned to the Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base he was on a night mission when his A-16 Jet developed gyro indicator trouble. He radioed another aircraft that he was bailing out in the vicinty of a Pathet Lao headquarters. The Lao Government says they have no knowledge of Masterson. For much more information visit Pownetwork.org

Remembrance for Michael John "Bat" Masterson"
by Susan Lovelace McKinnon, Chelan WA & Orange CA
Michael John "Bat" masterson was a high school classmate of mine at Ephrata High School - class of 1955. I knew Mike from elementary school days on through the time we marched together for graduation. Both of us attended WSC. When the Viet Nam War Memorial Wall came to Orange CA, where I was living, my husband and I went there to find Mike's name. In the procedure of walking through the information tent to find which section of the wall we'd find his name, hosts were randonly handing out a paper for each of the veterans. As I looked at the one handed to me, it was Mike's & I was awed beyond words at this amazing coincidence. I still have his MIA bracelet. and our classmates still remember Mike at all our reunions. He was an outstanding young person & friend who grew to leadership & earned respect in his adulthood and military service. (oral remembrance Bridgeport "The Moving Wall" 26 Oct 2003

Charles Howard MELDAHL

Birth 15JUL48 Rank SSGT Date of Event 20OCT68 P. of birth Denver CO Service Army Place Khanh Hoa, S. Vietnam Town of Record Monroe Unit 243rd Assault Helicopter Company, 10th Combat Aviation Battalion Death Code Non-Hostile Died Missing; Helicopter - Crew; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown   service # 533505753 Panel 40WEST - 07   married Single MIA - DD: 10SEP74  2001 ID with DNA Medals   Tour Date   Comment   Cemetery   Monroe High School, Monroe WA,

(MIA extraction of P.O.W. NETWORK Report)...Charles Howard Meldahl was born 15 Jul 1948 in Denver Co and graduated from Monroe High School. He was a member of 243rd Assault Helicopter Company 10th Combat Aviation Battalion and served as the crewchief on a CH47A helicopter. He was part of a 5 man crew on a resupply mission to Ban Me Thout, South Vietnam. The departed Dong Ba Thien Airfield South Vietnam on 20 Oct 1968 and the last known position was over the Ninh Hoa Valley. When it was determined that the helicopter was overdue and immediate search was started. In 1994 the crash site was located and in 1995 during the 33rd Joint Field Activity, the site was excavated. In October 2000, the investigation was completed and it was determined that all members of the crew went down with the helicopter and did not survive. By the summer of 2001 all the crew members were identified through DNA. for more information - see his bio at P.O.W. NetWork

Anthony Joseph PEARSON

University of Washington Seattle WA 1962

Birth 13JUN41 Rank CAPT Date of Death 21OCT68 P. of birth Shelton WA Service Air Force Place Long An, S. Vietnam Town of Record Olympia Unit 20 TAS SQ Death Code Hostile Died; Fixed Wing - Crew; Air Loss Crash - Land Hometown   service # 3137172 Panel 40WEST - 14   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 12JUN68 Comment   Cemetery

Captain Anthony J. Pearson, U.S. Air Force, was killed Monday (21 Oct 1968) in an airplane crash near Bien Hoa, Vietnam. Captain Pearson was on a night patrol, spotting the enemy rocket-launching areas, when his plane crashed. He had been in Vietnam since 12 Jun (1968) and had flown more than 72 missions. Captain Pearson was born in Shelton, 13 Jul 1941, and attended schools in Shelton and Port Angeles. He was graduated from Olympia High School in 1959 and from the University of Washington in 1963. Survivors include his wife, Jackie, Burien; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Pearson, Olympia, a sister, Mrs. Edward Davis, Tacoma; his grandmothers, Mrs. Hazel Snelgrove, Port Angeles, and Mrs. Beulah Faulk, Sedro Woolley. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. (The Olympian, Olympia WA 23 Oct 1968)

Richard William STRONG Jr.

Birth 08SEP48 Rank WO Date of Death 21OCT68 P. of birth   Service Army Place Tay Ninh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Greenacres Unit 1st Inf Div B Co 1st Avn Bn Death Code Hostile, Died; Helicopter - Crew; Air Loss, Crash - Land Hometown   service # W3160566 Panel 40WEST - 16   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 30MAY68 Comment   Cemetery

David Kenneth WILHELM

Birth 24JUN48 Rank PFC Date of Death 26OCT68 P. of birth Spokane Service Army Place Hua Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit 1st Avn Bde, 114th Aviation Co Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 18995504 Panel 40WEST - 40 married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 19SEP68 Comment   Cemetery Greenwood Memorial Terrace     North Central High School, Spokane WA, 1965

Remembrance for David Wilhelm by Carey (Shane) Zollman David Kenneth Wilhelm was my brother's best friend growing up. I remember him as one of the nicest caring friend Mick had. It didn't matter that I was 4 yrs younger and probably a pest. (interview, Bridgeport event, Oct 2003) Obituary Army Pfc. David K. Wilhelm son of Mr. and Mrs. David L. Wilhelm, W1209 York, died Saturday in Vietnam when his helicopter was shot down by enemy mortar fire near Vien Lon. Pfc. Wilhelm went to Vietnam six weeks ago as a member of the 114th Assault Helicopter Company. He was a door gunner on a helicopter. He entered the Army in March (1968) of this year. He was a graduate from North Central High School, where he was a member of the school band. Survivors in addition to the parents, include, a grandmother, Mrs. Hazel Shippy of Spokane. The body will be returned to Spokane for burial. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 29 Oct 1968) Obituary Funeral services for Army Pfc. David K. Wilhelm, 20, W1209 York, will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at Riplinger Funeral Home. Pfc. Wilhelm died 26 Oct (1968) in South Vietnam as the result of mortar fire near his base camp at Vinh Long. A native of Spokane, he was graduated in 1966 from North Central High School where he played in the school band. He enlisted in the Army last 29 Mar (1968) and was serving as a helicopter gunner with the 114th Assault Helicopter Company. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. David L. Wilhelm, at the home; grandparents, Mrs. Hazel Shippy, here, and Mr. and Mrs. William E. Melin, Newport. Army Chaplain Eugene W. Scott will officiate at the services. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Terrace. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 5 Nov 1968)