FACES FROM THE WALL

OREGON and the VIETNAM WAR

AUGUST 1969

    DANIEL ALBERT IRELAN
Birth 28JUN49 Rank SGT Date of Death 02AUG69
P. of birth   Service Army Place Quang Nam S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Gaston Unit 101st Abn Div C Co 159th Avn Bn Death Code Non Hostile, Died Other; Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - Crew
Hometown   service # 544567290 Panel 20WEST - 87
Married Single In Service   Medals  
Tour Date 08FEB69 Comment   Cemetery  

    DAVID TORRES

Birth 28JAN49 Rank LCPL Date of Death 02AUG69
P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Eugene Unit MCO 3 BN 7 AMRS 1 MAR DIV Death Code Hostile, Died; Other Explosive Devices Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 541581551 Panel 20WEST - 90
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 25FEB69 Comment   Cemetery  
Pleasant Hill marine dies of wounds
    A 20-year-old Marine from Pleasant Hill has died from injuries he received in Vietnam.
    He was Lance Cpl. David Torres, son of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Escudero of Enterprise Road. Escudero is a gas station proprietor in Eugene.
    Torres died 2 Aug (1969) aboard the Navy hospital ship USS Repose.
    The telegram from the Marine commandant said Torres suffered fragmentation wounds while on a platoon-size sear and clear mission, eight miles southwest of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province.
    Torres graduated from Churchill High School in Eugene in 1968 and enlisted in the Marines in August that year. He had been in Vietnam since February.
    Torres is survived by six brothers and sisters: Eleazar Torres, of Campbell CA; Mrs. Paul Taylor, of Springfield; Eluid Torres and Mrs. Albert Sandoval, both of San Pedro CA; Samuel Torres, of Pleasant Hill, and Sgt. Paul Torres of Scott Air Force Base IL.
    Torres' mother and stepfather were en route to visit their son in the Air Force when the notice of his death was delivered to their Pleasant Hill home. (Eugene Register-Guard, Eugene OR, 6 Aug 1969)

Thank you Oregon Genealogical Society

    GEORGE STANTON DORMAN

Birth 23MAY24 Rank COL Date of Death 04AUG69
P. of birth   Service Air Force Place Quang Nam S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Salem Unit 366TH TFG WG Death Code Hostile, Died Missing; Air Loss, Crash - Land Fixed Wing - Crew
Hometown   service # 540240216 Panel 20WEST - 95
Married Married In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 13APR69 Comment   Cemetery US Military Academy West Point NY  

    SAMUEL BETZ

Birth 02MAR26 Rank SSG Date of Death 06AUG69
P. of birth Craig CO Service Army Place Bien Hoa S. Vietnam
Town of Record Medford Unit   Death Code Non Hostile, Died Other; Suicide Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 543206016 Panel 20WEST - 100
Married Single In Service   Medals  
Tour Date 02MAY69 Comment   Cemetery  
Phoenix Soldier Killed in Vietnam
    Army Staff Sgt. Samuel Betz, 43, son of Mrs. Charles Betz, Camp Baker Road, Phoenix, was killed in action in Vietnam 6 Aug (1969), his mother was notified Sunday.
    No further details were reported in the first notification received from Vietnam where the former Phoenix man had been located with the U.S. Army since May.
    Betz enlisted in the armed forces as a Navy man when World War II broke out. When he was discharged from the Navy he entered the Merchant Marines and served in that capacity until joining the Army.
    A native of Craig CO, Sgt. Betz had also lived in Richmond CA before coming to the Rogue River Valley.
    Among survivors there are two brothers, a sister and a daughter, residing in Jackson County; Paul Betz, Medford; Clarence Betz, Phoenix; Mrs. Joseph (Lydia) Nikodym, Central Point; and Mrs. Tom (Linda) Wells, Medford. (Medford Mail Tribune, Medford OR, 11 Aug 1969 )

    LEVI LESTER ARMSTRONG

Birth 21JAN51 Rank PFC Date of Death 10AUG69
P. of birth Cottage Grove   Service Army Place Quang Tin S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Cottage Grove Unit 196th LIB A Co 3rd Bn 21st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Other Explosive Devices Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 540623850 Panel 20WEST - 121
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 03JUL69 Comment   Cemetery  
War Claims Oregonian Cottage Grove - Pfc. Levi Lester Armstrong, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Armstrong, Lorane Route, Cottage Grove, was willed in action 10 Aug (1969) in Vietnam. the parents were notified by the Defense Department Thursday. Pfc. Armstrong was born in the Cottage Grove area and attended public schools here through the 10th grade. He enlisted in the Army last January and was a machine gunner. He died of wounds inflicted by an enemy land mine. In addition to his parents, survivors include two sisters, Levina and Leila Armstrong, Cottage Grove. (The Oregonian, Portland OR, 17 Aug 1969)

Lane Soldier Killed in War
    Cottage Grove A 20 year old Army private from this area has been killed in South Vietnam his family learned Thursday.
    Pfc. Levi Lester Armstrong, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Armstrong, Lorane Rte Box 149-A, died in combat Sunday, according to a Defense Department statement received by the family.
    Born and reared in the Cottage Grove area, Armstrong attended public schools here through the 10th grad. He enlisted in the Army last January, a few days after his 19th birthday, and was a machine-gunner.
    A military spokesman told the parents their son died from wounds inflicted by an enemy boobytrap. The location of the action was not disclosed.
    Besides his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Levina, 19, and Leila, 17, both at home. (Eugene Register-Guard, Eugene OR, 15 Aug 1969)

Thank you Oregon Genealogical Society

    JAMES ROBERT WOODS

Birth 13MAR47 Rank SGT Date of Death 11AUG69
P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Long S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Portland Unit 1st Inf Div Trp D 1st Sqdr 4th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Guns, Small Arms Fire; Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 541547449 Panel 19WEST - 06
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 07OCT68 Comment   Cemetery Willamette National Cemetery  
Portlander Dies in War Army Sgt. James R. Woods, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Woods, 5119 SE 41st Ave., was killed in Vietnam 11 Aug (1969) as a result of hostile action, the Department of Defense has reported. Sgt. Woods, 22 had served in Vietnam since 4 Oct (1968), following basic training at Ft. Lewis WA and had extended his obligatory service in Vietnam for two months. He entered the service as a draft volunteer in May, 1968. Sgt. Woods was a graduate of Woodstock Grade School and Cleveland High School, where his activities in the band earned him a letter. He also attended Western Business University in Portland for one year. Funeral arrangements are pending with Mt. Scott Funeral Home. Interment is planned at Willamette National Cemetery with military honors. Sgt. Woods was the 517th Oregon man killed in Vietnam, the 113th since the start of 1969. (Oregonian, Portland OR, 20 Aug 1969)

    LAWRENCE DAY GREEF

Birth 13DEC43 Rank 1LT Date of Death 12AUG69
P. of birth   Service Army (Reserve) Place Quang Tin S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Portland Unit Americal Div C Trp 1st Sgdr 1st Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 542448339 Panel 19WEST - 13
Married Married In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 18APR69 Comment   Cemetery Committal Lincoln Memorial  
War Claims Portlander Army 1st Lt. Lawrence D. Greef of Portland, earlier reported as missing, has been killed in Action in Vietnam. The defense Department said Tuesday he was the husband of Paula R. Greef, but a search of local records revealed no Portland address for either Greef or Mrs. Greef. Greef was the 517th Oregon serviceman to die in the war since 1961, and the 114th this year. (The Oregonian, Portland Or, 21 Aug 1969)

Greef - Lawrence D., of 8316 SE 74th: Friends invited to services Monday, 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, ... Private Committal Lincoln Memorial crematorium, in lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Our Lady of Providence child center... (The Oregonian, Portland OR, 24 Aug 1969)

    LARRY JAY WHEELER

Birth 12JUN46 Rank SP4 Date of Death 12AUG69
P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Binh Long S. Vietnam
Town of Record TANGENT Unit 11th ACR F Trp 2nd Sqd 11th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 540582988 Panel 19WEST - 26
Married Single In Service   Medals  
Tour Date 03SEP68 Comment   Cemetery  
Oregon GI Dies in War Albany - Larry Wheeler, 23, Tangent, was killed in Vietnam as the result of hostile action, the U.S. Army said Saturday. Wheeler was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Wheeler, Rt. 1 Box 197, Tangent. Wheeler attended Western Mennonite High School near Salem. He also attended George Fox College, Newberg, for three years and Oregon State University in Corvallis for one year. He was due to return to the United States in early September and was engaged to Kathleen Garner of Albany. Invitations to the 14 Sep (1969) wedding had already been made up when word was received of Wheeler's death. (Sunday Oregonian, Portland OR, 17 Aug 1969)

    ROBERT F MC CLAFLIN

Birth 21JUL50 Rank LCPL Date of Death 13AUG69
P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Corvallis Unit   Death Code Hostile, Died Wounds; Vehicle Loss - Crash Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 544601049 Panel 19WEST - 33
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 19JAN69 Comment   Cemetery National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu HI  

    DARYL MILTON MOGCK

Birth 10OCT48 Rank SGT Date of Death 14AUG69
P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Tay Ninh S. Vietnam
Town of Record Portland Unit 1st Cav Div A Trp 1st Sqdn 9th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew
Hometown   service # 540524595 Panel 19WEST - 40
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart 
Tour Date 21MAY69 Comment   Cemetery Willamette National Cem., Portland OR
Portland GI Dies in War The Defense Department announced Friday that Army Sgt. Daryl M. Mogck of Portland was killed in action 14 Aug (1969). in Vietnam. He is the son of Ruth L. Mogck, 710 N. Stafford St. Mogck, 20, was a helicopter observer when his craft was shot down. A draftee, he had been in Vietnam for three months. Born 10 Oct 1948 in Portland, Mogck graduated from Jefferson High School and had completed one year at Portland Community College when he was drafted. He was the 117th Oregon man killed in Vietnam this year and the 521st since the fighting began. Funeral arrangements are pending (The Oregonian, Portland OR, 23 Aug 1969)

    DAVID BURNETT LENTZ

Birth 24NOV48 Rank SP4 Date of Death 15AUG69
P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Ngai S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
North Bend Unit 11th LIB B Co 4th Bn 3rd Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Air Loss, Crash - Land Helicopter - NonCrew
Hometown   service # 543581350 Panel 19WEST - 45
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart 
Tour Date 18NOV68 Comment   Cemetery  

    JOHN EDWARD WIBBENS

Birth 10JAN50 Rank CPL Date of Death 16AUG69
P. of birth   Service Army Place Phuoc Long S. Vietnam
Town of Record Albany Unit 1st Cav Div C Co 5th Bn 7th Cav Death Code Hostile, Died; Unknown, Not Reported Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 544580745 Panel 19WEST - 52
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 18APR69 Comment   Cemetery  

    ANTHONY BURDETTE BLAIR

Birth 06OCT43 Rank PFC Date of Death 22AUG69
P. of birth   Service Army (Draft) Place Quang Ngai S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Portland Unit 11th LIB C Co 4th Bn 21st Inf Death Code Hostile, Died; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar; Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 533369146 Panel 19WEST - 92
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 07JUN69 Comment   Cemetery  

    JAMES ELMER MC WHORTER

2
Birth 07JUN49 Rank LCPL Date of Death 22AUG69
P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri S. Vietnam
Town of Record Beaverton Unit L CO 3RD BN 3RD MARS Death Code Hostile, Died; Guns, Small Arms Fire; Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 452760963 Panel 19WEST - 97
Married Married In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 19MAR69 Comment   Cemetery  

    DENNIS MICHAEL GILLERAN

Birth 20FEB50 Rank PFC Date of Death 23AUG69
P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Tri S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Stayton Unit L CO 3RD BN 3RD MARS Death Code Hostile, Died; Artillery, Rocket, Mortar; Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 542609242 Panel 19WEST - 100
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart  
Tour Date 23AUG69 Comment   Cemetery  
Mortar Kills NW Soldier Stayton Marine Pfc. Dennis M. Gilleran, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gilleran of Stayton, has been killed in action in Vietnam, his parents were told Thursday. The Defense Department said Gilleran was killed by a mortar fragment 23 Aug (1969) in action near Da Nag. He had been in Vietnam only one week. (The Oregonian, Portland OR, 30 Aug 1969)

    HERBERT CHARLES HEINTZ

Birth 23MAY50 Rank LCPL Date of Death 25AUG69
P. of birth   Service Marines Place Quang Nam S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Portland Unit F CO 2ND BN 7TH MARS Death Code Hostile, Died; Guns, Small Arms Fire; Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 542602860 Panel 19WEST - 112
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart 
Tour Date 06MAR69 Comment   Cemetery  

    DOUGLAS ALEX COOK

Birth 05AUG49 Rank SP4 Date of Death 28AUG69
P. of birth Portland Oregon Service Army (Draft) Place Phuoc Long S. Vietnam
Town of
Record
Portland Unit D CO, 5TH BN, 7TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV Death Code Hostile, Died; Multiple Fragmentation Wounds Ground Casualty
Hometown   service # 544565089 Panel 19WEST - 128
Married Single In Service   Medals Purple Heart 
Tour Date 03MAY69 Comment   Cemetery Willamette National Cem., Portland OR
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