Cleveland High School Seattle WA 1965

Birth 08JUL48 Rank SP4 Date of Death 01MAY69 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Tay Ninh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 1st Cav Div, B Co, 2nd Bn, 7th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 56962052 Panel 26WEST - 90   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 25 Oct 1968 Comment   Cemetery

Lawrence W. PARRANTO Jr.

Birth 28JUN49 Rank PFC Date of Death 01MAY69 P. of birth Olympia WA Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Everett Unit C Co, 1 Bn, 3 Mars, 3 Mar Div Death Code Non-Hostile, Died Illness/Injury Ground Casualty Illness, Disease Hometown Olympia WA service # 2463739 Panel 26WEST - 93   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 22 Oct 68 Comment father also served in Vietnam Cemetery

Private first class Lawrence William Parranto, Jr., 19, died 1 May (1969) in Vietnam after a short illness contracted while in action. He had been in the Marine Corps for one year.He was born in Olympia 28 Jun 1949, and had attended Garfield Elementary School and Olympia High School. His father Lawrence W Parranto Sr., was a career Marine and the family had lived in several sections of California, in Arkon OH, and Bay City, MI. His father had served in several wars, including the Vietnam War and upon return to the United States he was killed in an auto accident 21 Sep 1966. (Daily Olympian, Olympia WA 14 May 69)

Earl Patrick 'Pat' SNOW

Birth 02MAY49 Rank SP4 Date of Death 03MAY69 P. of birth Healdsburg CA Service Army Place Long An, S. Vietnam Town of Record Prosser Unit 9th Inf Div, A Co, 2nd Bn, 60th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 18995938 Panel 26WEST - 109   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 09FEB69 Comment 9th Infantry Cemetery East Prosser Cemetery

Prosser Soldier Killed in Vietnam Army Spec. 4 Earl Patrick Snow, 20, Prosser, with grandparents in Richland, was killed in combat in Vietnam Saturday, according to information received by his parents yesterday. Snow was a member of the Ninth Infantry. He was a 1968 graduate of Prosser High School. The youth was born in Healdsburg CA, 2 May 1949. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Snow, 1228 Dudley Ave; sisters, Sherrey Lee and Delores, Prosser, and Carol Ann Horner, Fort Rucker AL; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl R. Snow, Richland, Mr. and Mrs. Harris Looney of Hana Maui Hawaii; and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Barr of Bellingham. Benton Memorial Chapel has charge of arrangements. (Tri City Herald, Pasco, Kennewick, Richland WA, 8 May 1969)

Spec. 4 Earl Snow Funeral services for Spec. 4 Earl Patrick Snow, 20, will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the United Presbyterian Church here. Mr. Snow was killed in combat in Vietnam while a member of the 9th Infantry Division of the U. S. Army. Interment with full military graveside honors will be at the East Prosser Cemetery following the services. Mr. Snow was a 1968 graduate of Prosser High School. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Snow of Prosser; three sisters, Mrs. Carol Ann Horner of Ft. Rucker AL, and Sherry and Delores Snow, both of Prosser; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl R. Snow of Richland, Mr. and Mrs. Harris Looney of Hana Maui HI, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Barr of Grandview . Prosser article . (Yakima Herald-Republic, Yakima WA, 12 May 1969)

Michael Lewis LICKEY

Birth 06FEB48 Rank SP4 Date of Death 11MAY69 P. of birth Detroit MI Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Duong, S. Vietnam Town of Record Monroe Unit Co. A, 1st BN, 16th Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56961037 Panel 25WEST - 50 married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 02AUG68 Comment   Cemetery Mountain View Park Cem, Colville WA

Remembrances Duane Likkel, Mike Lickey, I were friends who met and went through basic and advance training together. Eventually we went to Vietnam to three separate units. My memories are of the time spent in training and the many weekends spent together, with my wife, at our home. Mike's last night was spent sharing our bedroom (with a sheet hung between us) because that's how special our relationship was. He kidded us that there was a hole in the sheet and "we should have checked." The morning he left for Vietnam we took him to see his father and it was the first time Mike saw his father cry. Duane was extremely strong and fit. We had a flat tire on one of their weekend home and Duane grabbed the tire, put it on his shoulder and ran down the freeway to get it repaired. After his death his mother called me at least two or three times a month. She was a very religious lady and missed her only son very much. We talked about Duane and she knew he was safe and not hurting and with the lord and our talks gave me strength. The guys were veterans but so were the wives who sat at home waiting for letters and the phone calls when they got a chance.

When coming to the Wall to see Mike and Duane names it brought back all the wonderful memories of the time we shared together.
Darlene and Harold Wolfer... Remembrance from the Tulalip Moving Wall August 2005

Former Area Resident Dies In Viet Action Michael Lewis Lickey, 21, a former resident of the Snohomish-Monroe area, was killed in hostile action in Vietnam 11May 1969. Mr. Lickey was born 6 Feb 1948, in Detroit MI and had lived in the Snohomish-Monroe area most of his life. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Lickey of Colville WA; three sisters, Sue Ellen, Nancy Christina and Kathleen Margaret Lickey, all of the home; four brothers, Duncan in the U.S. Air Force in Germany and Timothy Allen, Christopher James and Mathew Mueller, all of Colville, and his grandparents, Theodore Mnish (sic) and Mrs. Jane Lickey, both of Detroit. Full military honors will be provided at the services at 2 pm Saturday in the Bastian Funeral Home in Colville. Burial will be in Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville. (Everett Herald)

G.I. Who Needed Shoes Is Killed Colville, Stevens County - (UPI) Specialist 4 Michael Lickey, 21, Colville, has been killed in action in Vietnam, it was reported today. Lickey, who was attached to the 1st Infantry Division, was killed during a rocket and Mortar attack on a bivouac area just north of Saigon. The soldier's feet got him into the news earlier this year. In February he wrote to his mother that he was unable to obtain boots large enough to fit his feet. His mother contacted Representative Thomas Foley, Washington Democrat, who prodded the Army into finding boots large enough to fit Lickey. The soldier had been scheduled to return home from Vietnam in July. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 20 May 1969)

Stepen Ray LOPEMAN

Birth 01MAY50 Rank PFC Date of Death 11MAY69 P. of birth Port Townsend Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Port Townsend Unit K Co, 3rd Bn, 5th Mar, 1st Mar Div (REIN) FMF Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2496707 Panel 25WEST - 51   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 21JAN69 Comment   Cemetery Greenwood Cemetery, Chimacum WA

Marine PFC Steve Lopeman killed in Vietnam action. Viet Nam war taken for granted? by so many struck Port Townsend this week with the announcement that 19 year old Steve Lopeman youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Alva Lopeman, 50th (?)kman was killed in action. Word was received by the family Tuesday when representatives of the Marine Corps visited the Lopeman home. Stephen a 1968 Port Townsend graduate, died from wounds received while his unit was in a search and clear mission in Quang Nam Province of Viet Nam, the scene of heavy Marine fighting this week. He died Sunday, May 11-Mothers day. Lopeman entered the Marine Corps 9 Jul 1968. He was promoted to the rank of Private first class two weeks before his death. He celebrated his 19th birthday May 1. In high school Stephen was a member of the football team, playing both guard and tackle. He joined the Junior Odd Fellows of Chimacum Lodge at the age of 12, and this past December was inducted into the senior lodge by his father. Mrs. Lopeman reported that she received a letter from Stephen Monday noting his unit is playing hide and seek with the Viet Cong. "He was in the worst zone. There has been heavy fighting there all week. The [daily] paper reported some 19 marines had died in action this week." In high school Stephen was active in Boy's Club, T-Club and the Safeteens. He was a member of the San Jaun Baptist Mission. Besides his parents, surviving brothers and sisters include Leo Lopeman of Kelso; Fred of Olympia; Army Capt. Ronald Lopeman of Washington D.C.; Donald of Chicago; Mrs. Jennetta Lue Warner of Louisiana; Mrs. Jaunita Sue Strobel, and Colletta Rue Lopeman of the family home. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. (Port Townsend Leader, Port Townsend WA 15 May 1969)

Funeral Services were held Saturday afternoon at the First United Presbyterian Church for Stephen R. Lopeman, 19 year old Marine PFC killed in Viet Nam 11 May during action against the enemy. The Rev. Lance Cubley officiated at the services, Jack Mendro sang ' At the Eastern Gate" and " Beautiful Isle of Somewhere", accompanied by Sheila Pray. Interment was in Greenwood Cemetery at Chimacum with Marines serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Jon Bill, Robert Cook, Tom Hall, Raleigh Haynes, Don Coulter, Robert Coulter, Tom Johnson, Jimmie Porter, Owen Porter, Mike Hurd, Jim Bishop and Bill Stewie. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Alva L. Lopeman of Port Townsend, the young Marine was born in this city on 1 May 1950. He graduated from the local high school before entering the service last July. He was a member of the San Jaun Baptist Mission, Junior Odd Fellows Subordinate Lodge at Chimacum. Surviving in addition to the parents are three sisters, Jennetta Warner of Morgan City, La, Jaunita Strobel of Olympia and Colletta Lopeman of Port Townsend; four brothers, Leo of Kelso, Fred of Olympia, Donald of Chicago and Captain Ronald G Lopeman of Washington D.C. The family suggests that remembrances be in the form of contributions to the Odd Fellows Building Fund, in care of Robert Lowerre, (Port Townsend Leader, Port Townsend WA 22 May 1969)

Clarence Irwin RISHER

Birth 12OCT49 Rank PVT Date of Death 12MAY69 P. of birth   Service Army Place Quang Ngai, S. Vietnam Town of Record Belfair Unit C Co 39th Eng Bn Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 18983415 Panel 25WEST - 82 married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 19FEB69 Comment   Cemetery Riverton Crest

Pvt. Clarence Risher Rites Set Military funeral services for Army Pft. Clarence I. Risher, 19, will be at 3 P.m. tomorrow in Yarington's White Center Funeral Home, with burial in Riverton Crest. Private Risher was killed in action in Vietnam. He attended Sealth High School before he enlisted in the Army about a year ago. He had been in Vietnam about four months. Survivors include his mother, Mrs. William Gwin, formerly of Seattle and now of Yokohama, Japan; his father, Francis Risher, Jr., Richland; a brother, Robert Risher, Shelton; a stepsister, Debra Gwin, Yokohama, and Grandmothers, Mrs. Gladys McArthur, Ennis TX and Mrs. Irene Risher, Port Orchard. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, 30 May 1969)

John Franklin THOMPSON

Birth 12DEC48 Rank CPL Date of Death 12MAY69 P. of birth   Service Army Place Tay Ninh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Tacoma Unit 1st Cav Div, C Co, 1st B,n 7th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 18982123 Panel 25WEST - 88   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 02FEB69 Comment www.ranger25.com/ Cemetery

Tacoma GI Dies in VN A Tacoman and another Washington soldier are included on the latest casualty list released this weekend by the U.S. Defense Department of servicemen died in the Vietnam War.
    Killed in action was Army Pfc. John F. Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Logan D. Thompson, 1012 S. Ferry St., Tacoma.
    Army Spec. 4 Michael L. Lickey, of Colville, died not as a result of hostile action, according to the Defense Department.
    Their deaths raised the number of Washington servicemen dead in the Vietnam War to 785. (Tacoma News-Tribune, Tacoma WA, 17 May 1969)
researcher comment The newspapers articles and obituaries can have mistakes - One Spokane article identified the wrong boy as dying - or the information presented first presented by the Defense Department was reviewed and the information changed to reflect the official record. In this case, Michael L. Lickey did die from hostile action. Researcher note added March 2005

Martin Leo DAMITIO

Birth 09JUN46 Rank SP4 Date of Death 13MAY69 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Tin, S. Vietnam Town of Record Olympia Unit 196th LIB C Co 3rd Bn 21st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56962241 Panel 25WEST - 97   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 22NOV68 Comment pat196th Cemetery

Donald Ray KRAFT

Birth 15DEC46 Rank SSGT Date of Death 13MAY69 P. of birth   Service Army Place Kontum, S. Vietnam Town of Record Sappho Unit I FF, Btry A, 1st Bn, 92nd Arty Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar Hometown   service # 56957398 Panel 25WEST - 103   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 01MAY69 Comment   Cemetery

Samuel Thomas BAKER

Birth 14JUN48 Rank SGT Date of Death 14MAY69 P. of birth Yakima Service Army Place Tay Ninh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Naches Unit 1st Cav Div, E Co, 2nd Bn, 5th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 67189885 Panel 24WEST - 01   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 13JUN68 Comment   Cemetery

Sgt. Samuel Baker Army Sgt. Samuel Thomas Baker, 20 Naches, was killed in action in Vietnam 14 May (1969). He was born in Yakima and had lived here most of his life. He attended Naches High School and enlisted in the Army in December 1967. Sgt. Baker had been overseas for a year and was due to return home later this month. He was a member of the 5th Air Cavalry Division. Survivors include his parents, Mrs. John (Alma) Wynn, Naches, and George Baker, Selah; two sisters, Mrs. Rita Watson and Mrs. Judeth Stephens, both of Naches; a half sister, Miss Peggy Wynn, Naches; two half brothers, Bobby and Douglas Wynn, both of Naches; and grandparents, Samuel Sims, Marble AR, Tom Baker, Patrick AR, and Mrs. Rosa Baughman, Selah. The body will be brought to Yakima for funeral services. (Yakima Herald-Republic, Yakima WA, 21 May 1969)

Gary Lee GILLARD

Birth 20SEP44 Rank SSGT Date of Death 15MAY69 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Wenatchee Unit G Co, 2nd Bn, 5th Mars Death Code Hostile, Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2046409 Panel 24WEST - 16   married Married Link Virtual Wall Medals   Tour Date 06MAY69 Comment   Cemetery Wisconsin

Sgt. Gary Lee Gillard Dies in Vietnam
Sgt. Gary Lee Gillard, 23, the grandson of Mrs. Alvira Peters, of 509 Cascade, died while serving with a Marine unit in Vietnam May 15 (1969). He was shot in the head by a sniper bullet. Sgt. Gillard made his home with his grandmother here before entering the Marine Corps six years ago. Before going overseas he was stationed at Washington, D. C. The body will be take to Wisconsin for burial as his wife leaves there. He was married last summer. Mrs. Peters received the news by telegram. Relatives besides the widow and grandmother include four aunts and an uncle, Beryl Melcher, Wenatchee, Selana Bowers, and Luciene Ott, both of East Wenatchee, Edith McCormick, Fort Worth TX, and Haroldene Childers, Coeur d'Alene ID. (Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee 21 May 1969)

Picture and more remembrances at Virtual Wall

William J. PETERSON

Birth 24JUL45 Rank 2LT Date of Death 18MAY69 P. of birth   Service Army (Reserve) Place Thua Thien, S. Vietnam Town of Record Spokane Unit A Btry 2nd Bn 319th Arty Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 05434950 Panel 24WEST - 27 Married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 21DEC68 Comment Parents living Ephrata Cemetery Greenwood Cemetery, Spokane WA Lewis & Clark High School, Spokane WA, 1963

Life Magazine vol. 22, No. 25, June 27, 1969 plus the Life logo was placed above the article's title, Vietnam ONE WEEK'S DEAD, because, I suspect, the Life publishers knew they were making a statement. In a brief introduction the publishers said that they took the 242 names, released by the Pentagon for the week of May 28 thro June 3 because it included Memorial Day. They contacted the families of these men and received pictures for all but 25. They also received "letters home" which the staff writer used in a brief, heart wrenching one page commentary. The article's goal as stated in the introduction... "More than we must know how many, we must know who. The faces of one weeks' dead, unknown but to families and friends, are suddenly recognized by all in this gallery of young American eyes." The article has been given credit for 'outing' the war ... But the article didn't tell a complete story because The men featured in the article were all Hostile Killed. The Non-Hostile deaths were NOT included nor were all the hostile died reported. Researcher comments (much edited)

Lt. Peterson, Ephrata, Killed in Vietnam Lt. William J. Peterson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Peterson of Ephrata, was killed in Vietnam on May 19 (1969) in the battle for Hamburger Hill. Lt. Peterson was graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, and from Gonzaga University. He is survived by his parents; his brother Philip, attending Eastern Washington College, Cheney; and two sisters, Mrs. Robert Gogerty, Seattle, and Barbara Peterson, Ephrata. Services will be announced later by the NIcoles Funeral Home in Ephrata. (Wenatchee Daily World, Wenatchee 28 May 1969)

PETERSON, Lieutenant William J. (25 years) - - His Home, Ephrata WA. Survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Peterson, Ephrata WA; one brother, Philip Person, Cheney WA; 2 sisters, Mrs. Robert Gogerty, Seattle WA; Miss Barbara Peterson, Ephrata WA. Holy Rosary will be held Thurs., 5 Jun (1969), 8 p.m. St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Ephrata WA. Requiem Mass Friday 6 Jun (1969) 11 a.m. St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Ephrata WA. the Interment services, Greenwood Cemetery, Spokane WA, Friday 6 Jun (1969), 4:30 p.m. in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Morning Star Boys Ranch. Spokane Nicoles Funeral Home, Ephrata WA in charge of arrangements. (The Spokesman-Review, Spokane WA, 4 Jun 1969)

Kenneth William GRUBB

Birth 11APR46 Rank BT2 Date of Death 23MAY69 P. of birth   Service Navy Place Off Shore, S. Vietnam Town of Record Skamania Unit USS KING DLG-10, 7th Fleet Death Code Non-Hostile, Sea Casualty; Other Accident Hometown   service # 7882776 Panel 24WEST - 84   married Married MIA -   Medals   Tour Date   Comment   Cemetery

Henry David JOHNSON

Birth 18DEC48 Rank PFC Date of Death 23MAY69 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam, S. Vietnam Town of Record Bremerton Unit L Co, 3 Bn, 7 Mar, 1 Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2496795 Panel 24WEST - 85   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 27FEB69 Comment   Cemetery

Donny Ray LAWSON

Birth 06JUL47 Rank LCPL Date of Death 23MAY69 P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri, S. Vietnam Town of Record Grandview Unit 1 Bn/9th Mar, 3rd Mar Div Death Code Hostile, Died; Ground Casualty; Gun, Small Arms Fire Hometown   service # 2251295 Panel 24WEST - 86   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 30JUL68 Comment   Cemetery Grandview Cem. 27 June 1969 issue Life Magazine article, "American Dead in Vietnam"

Lance Cpl. Lawson War Victim Funeral Set Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10a.m. for Lance Cpl. Donny Ray Lawson, 21, who was killed in action in Vietnam 23 May (1969). A Marine chaplain and the Rev. Zane E. Bull, of the Grandview 1st Baptist will officiate in the chapel of the Smith Funeral Home,Grandview. Cpl. Lawson will be buried in the Grandview Cemetary. Full military honors and graveside services will be conducted by United States Marines. Cpl. Lawson's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lawson, Rt. 1, Grandview. Grandview article - (Yakima Herald-Republic, Yakima WA, 4 Jun 1969 )

Life Magazine vol. 22, No. 25, June 27, 1969 plus the Life logo was placed above the article's title, Vietnam ONE WEEK'S DEAD, because, I suspect, the Life publishers knew they were making a statement. In a brief introduction the publishers said that they took the 242 names, released by the Pentagon for the week of May 28 thro June 3 because it included Memorial Day. They contacted the families of these men and received pictures for all but 25. They also received "letters home" which the staff writer used in a brief, heart wrenching one page commentary. The article's goal as stated in the introduction...

Donald William IDE

Birth 13OCT43 Rank 1LT Date of Death 25MAY69 P. of birth   Service Army (Reserve) Place Hua Nghia, S. Vietnam Town of Record Washington D. C. Unit Platoon Leader 3rd Plt, Co C, 2/27 Inf (Wolfhounds) Death Code Hostile; Ground Casualty; Other Explosive Device Hometown   service # 5246487   Panel 24WEST - 103   married single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 16NOV68 Comment Wolfhounds  Seattle Cemetery   27 June 1969 issue Life Magazine article, "American Dead in Vietnam" page 30

Remembrance for Don Ide by Howard Pitt, fellow officer
    Don and I served together as RVN-oriented advanced infantry training officers at FT Lewis from May 1968 to November 1968 when he left for Vietnam (I followed him over two months later but when I got there I went up north to the 101st Airborne in I Corps. We corresponded intermittently and, although I was unaware of it at the time, we were both hit within days of each other. I learned of his death when I was home on convalescent leave pending my next assignment and happened to pick up that issue of LIFE magazine that "featured" pictures of the several hundred young men who had been killed in Viet Nam in one particular week - the week chosen being the one in which Don died. I was shocked, while thumbing through the magazine, to see Don's picture looking back at me.
    I always wondered precisely what had been the cause of his death and while the details the obituary page page were sketchy I know more now than I did for the last thirty four years - I am optimistic that the ever informative web will continue to aid me in my search.
    Don was a wonderful young man with a great sense of self-deprecating humor. His death was, as it was with so many, many others, a sad tragedy.
    My compliments, as one who made it back, to you and the other people who have created and maintain this memorial for those who did not.
(Howard Pitt, email received 31DEC03)

update Don's bio, something you may wish to add is that he was a graduate of the Ranger School at Fort Benning and had earned the coveted Ranger "tab", a feat made all the more remarkable because the course was physically demanding - very - and Don suffered from something - an injury or a physically handicapping condition, I do not recall precisely what, that made it difficult, if not impossible, for him to raise his right arm much above shoulder level. Neverthless, he had suceeeded in becoming a Ranger and he was quite and deservedly proud of his accomplishment. Another thing I recall about him was that he was a bachelor whereas the rest of us lieutenants in the company were married; Don would grumble good-naturedly about the "inequities" his bachelorhood inflicted upon him but he always volunteered to pull weekend and holiday duty so we could spend time with our wives/families. (Howard Pitt, email received 2Jan04)

One other thing - Don, I believe, was related to the man who was then governor of Washington - maybe as a cousin or a nephew - and with that degree of political proximity, it is likely that, if Don had wanted to avoid service in Vietnam, he could have done so; likewise, if he had wanted a safer staff billet once he got there, he probably could have had such. In fact, when I consider that he got to RVN sometime in November and was still leading a rifle platoon some seven+ months later, I can only imagine that it was at his request. I do not know what the personnel policies of the 25th ID were but I know in most Army divisions seven months for a junior officer on the line were well beyond the norm - unless the officer wanted to be there. There were company XO slots to fill, battalion and brigade junior staff slots, LNO jobs, etc. for lieutenants to rotate into. That Don was still on the line was likely to have been his choice and from what I recall of him, I can well imagine him making such choice. (Howard Pitt, email received 2Jan04)

Evans' Cousin Killed in Action in Vietnam A cousin of Gov. Dan Evans has been killed in action in South Vietnam. The governor said Army 2nd Lt. Don Ide, in his early 20s, a former Seattle resident, died Sunday in a battle in Hua Nghia Province. Lieutenant Ide's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald C. Ide, now of Beirut, Lebanon, lived hare until the elder Ide was sent to India by the United States diplomatic service. Lieutenant Ide, a bachelor, had seen heavy action as commander of an infantry company recently along the Cambodian border. He had been in South Vietnam since November (1968). He is survived by a brother, Douglas Ide, Seattle, and a sister, Cathy, attending school in the Middle East, the governor said. (Seattle Times, Seattle WA, Friday 30 May 1969)

Life Magazine vol. 22, No. 25, June 27, 1969 plus the Life logo was placed above the article's title, Vietnam ONE WEEK'S DEAD, because, I suspect, the Life publishers knew they were making a statement. In a brief introduction the publishers said that they took the 242 names, released by the Pentagon for the week of May 28 thro June 3 because it included Memorial Day. They contacted the families of these men and received pictures for all but 25. They also received "letters home" which the staff writer used in a brief, heart wrenching one page commentary. The article's goal as stated in the introduction...

Thomas Bernhard PAYNTER

Birth 29NOV47 Rank SP4 Date of Death 25MAY69 P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Tay Ninh, S. Vietnam Town of Record Seattle Unit 25th Inf Div, Trp C, 3rd Sqrd, 4th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Ground Casualty; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Hometown   service # 56960925 Panel 24WEST - 106   married Single MIA -   Medals   Tour Date 20DEC68 Comment   Cemetery   27 June 1969 issue Life Magazine article, "American Dead in Vietnam" page 30

Life Magazine vol. 22, No. 25, June 27, 1969 plus the Life logo was placed above the article's title, Vietnam ONE WEEK'S DEAD, because, I suspect, the Life publishers knew they were making a statement. In a brief introduction the publishers said that they took the 242 names, released by the Pentagon for the week of May 28 thro June 3 because it included Memorial Day. They contacted the families of these men and received pictures for all but 25. They also received "letters home" which the staff writer used in a brief, heart wrenching one page commentary. The article's goal as stated in the introduction...