For Veterans Day - The First American Killed Vietnam

On September 26, 1945, Lt. Col. A. Peter Dewey became the first American soldier
to die in Vietnam. Apparently mistaken for a Frenchman, Dewey was gunned down by
Vietminh troops while driving a jeep to the airport. The son of a former
Illinois congressman, he had been the head of the American O.S.S. mission.
However, because the conflict had not yet fully developed at this time, some
sources consider the first U.S. casualties of the Vietnam War to be Major Dale
R. Buis and Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand who were killed in 1959 during a
guerilla attack at Bienhoa.
http://www.usefultrivia.com/war_trivia/vietnam_war_trivia_002a.html
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Lt. Col. Peter Dewey, a U.S. Army officer with the Office of Strategic Services
(OSS) in Vietnam, is shot and killed in Saigon. Dewey was the head of a
seven-man team sent to Vietnam to search for missing American pilots and to
gather information on the situation in the country after the surrender of the
Japanese.

According to the provisions of the Potsdam Conference, the British were assigned
the responsibility of disarming Japanese soldiers south of the 16th parallel.
However, with the surrender of the Japanese, Ho Chi Minh and the Viet Minh
declared themselves the rightful government of Vietnam. This angered the French
colonial officials and the remaining French soldiers who had been disarmed and
imprisoned by the Japanese. They urged British Maj. Gen. Douglas D. Gracey to
help them regain control. Gracey, not fond of the Viet Minh or their cause,
rearmed 1,400 French soldiers to help his troops maintain order. The next day
these forces ousted the Viet Minh from the offices that they had only recently
occupied. Dewey's sympathies lay with the Viet Minh, many of whom were
nationalists who did not want a return to French colonial rule. The American
officer was an outspoken man who soon angered Gracey, eventually resulting in
the British general ordering him to leave Indochina. On the way to
the airport, accompanied by another OSS officer, Capt. Henry Bluechel, Dewey
refused to stop at a roadblock manned by three Viet Minh soldiers. He yelled
back at them in French and they opened fire, killing Dewey instantly. Bluechel
was unhurt and escaped on foot. It was later determined that the Viet Minh had
fired on Dewey thinking he was French. He would prove to be the first of nearly
59,000 Americans killed in Vietnam.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=1381.
~~~~~~~~~~

James B. McGovern Jr., was one of the first two Americans killed in the Vietnam
conflict. His remains were recovered from an unmarked grave in a remote northern
Laos village in 2002 and identified last year by forensic experts at the Joint
POW/MIA Accounting Command's laboratory at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

McGovern, known as "Earthquake McGoon ", weighed 260 pounds and was nicknamed
after a hulking character in the hillbilly comic strip "Li'l Abner," was killed
May 6, 1954, while air-dropping an artillery piece to the trapped French
garrison at Dien Bien Phu. His C-119 "Flying Boxcar" cargo plane, crippled by
anti-aircraft fire, continued 75 miles into Laos and crashed on a hillside.

The crash also killed his co-pilot, Wallace Buford, and a French flight
engineer. Three other French Legionnaires survived the crash and were captured
by communist troops, but one died later. The remains of Buford, of Kansas City,
Mo., were never found.

McGovern and Buford, both civilians at the time, were the first two Americans
killed in fighting in Vietnam, where ensuing warfare would kill nearly 60,000
Americans and more than a million Vietnamese over the next two decades.

Earthquake McGoon was a flamboyant figure who became famous in the early 1950s
for his escapades. As a member of an Air Force squadron descended from the famed
Flying Tigers, he shot down four Japanese planes and destroyed others on the
ground.

His adventures included being captured by communist Chinese troops who freed him
because he called them "liars" for not letting him go; winning a clutch of
dancing girls in a poker game; and setting free a group of Japanese POWs on a
beach rather than follow orders to "dump cargo" after he developed engine
trouble.
Source: military.com
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,136797,00.html?ESRC=airforce.nl
~~~~~~~~~~

Information from The Wall Website:

Largest per-capita Loss
Beallsville, Ohio (pop. 475) gained unwanted national attention between 1966
and 1971 by having suffered the largest per-capita loss of life in the Vietnam
War. Six young men lost their lives in the war, a terrible and profound loss for
this small town.
Highest State Casualties
West Virginia had the highest casualty rate in the nation, according to the
U.S. Department of Defense. The state had 711 casualties -- 39.9 deaths per
100,000 people. Oklahoma had the second-highest casualty rate.

Highest High School Casualties
Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia sustained the largest number of
Vietnam war casualties of any high school in the nation with 54.

The Marines of Morenci
They led some of the scrappiest high school football and basketball teams
that the little Arizona copper town of Morenci (pop. 5,058) had ever known and
cheered. They enjoyed roaring beer busts. In quieter moments, they rode horses
along the Coronado Trail, stalked deer in the Apache National Forest. And in the
patriotic camaraderie typical of Morenci's mining families, the nine graduates
of Morenci High enlisted as a group in the Marine Corps. Their service began on
Independence Day, 1966. Only 3 returned home.
Robert Dale Draper, 19, was killed in an ambush.
Stan King, 21, was killed less than a week after reaching Vietnam.
Alfred Van Whitmer, 21, was killed while on patrol.
Larry J. West, 19 was shot near Quang Nam.
Jose Moncayo, 22, was part of an entire platoon wiped out.
Clive Garcia, 22, was killed by a booby trap while leading a patrol.

The Buddies from Midvale
LeRoy Tafoya, Jimmy Martinez, Tom Gonzales were all boyhood friends and
lived on three consecutive streets in Midvale, Utah on Fifth, Sixth and Seventh
avenues. They lived only a few yards apart. They played ball at the adjacent
sandlot ball field. And they all went to Vietnam..
In a span of 16 dark days in late 1967, all three would be killed. LeRoy was
killed on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the fourth anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s
assassination. Jimmy died less than 24 hours later on Thanksgiving Day. Tom was
shot dead assaulting the enemy on Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Three
hallmark all-American days. Three more names to be placed on the The Wall

The First and the Last
The first American soldier killed in the Vietnam War was Air Force T-Sgt.
Richard B. Fitzgibbon Jr. He is listed by the U.S. Department of Defense as
having a casualty date of June 8, 1956. His name was added to the Wall on
Memorial Day 1999.
First battlefield fatality was Specialist 4 James T. Davis who was killed on
December 22, 1961.

The last American soldier killed in the Vietnam War was Kelton Rena Turner,
an 18-year old Marine. He was killed in action on May 15, 1975, two weeks after
the evacuation of Saigon, in what became known as the Mayaguez incident.
Others list Gary L. Hall, Joseph N. Hargrove and Danny G. Marshall as the last
to die in Vietnam. These three US Marines Corps veterans were mistakenly left
behind on Koh Tang Island during the Mayaguez incident. They were last seen
together but unfortunately to date, their fate is unknown. They are located on
panel 1W, lines 130 - 131.

Last pilot casualty occured during the Embassy evacuation in Saigon, William
C. Nystal and Michael J. Shea both died on the helicopter on April 30, 1975
approaching the USS Hancock in the China Sea (both are located at 1W, 124).

The youngest Vietnam KIA is believed to be Dan Bullock at 15 years old.
The oldest person on the Wall is believed to be Dwaine McGriff at 63 years old.
At least 5 men killed in Vietnam were 16 years old.
At least 12 men killed in Vietnam were 17 years old.
There are 120 persons who listed foreign countries as their home of record.
At least 25,000 of those killed were 20 years old or younger.
More than 17,000 of those killed were married.
Veterans killed on their first day in Vietnam 997 (unconfirmed)
Veterans killed on their last day in Vietnam 1,448 (unconfirmed)
Number of Chaplains on the Wall -- 16 (2 Medal Of Honor)
Number of Women on the Wall -- 8 (7 Army, 1 USAF - 7,484 served)
There are 226 Native Americans on the Memorial.
There are 22 countries represented on the Memorial.
Most common name on the Memorial "Smith" with 667 veterans.
The most casualties for a single day was on January 31, 1968 ~ 245 casualties.
The most casualties for a single month was May 1968, 2,415 casualties were
incurred.

Corporal William T. Perkins Jr. of Sepulveda, California was a Marine
combat photographer. He is the only military photographer to be awarded the
Medal of Honor. He was killed in action on October 12, 1967.

Corporal Thomas W. Bennett of Morgantown, West Virginia was a U.S. Army
medic and was the only conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor
during the Vietnam war. He was killed in action on February 11, 1969.

BUDDIES:
Steven E. Amescua and Anthony J. Blevins joined the Marine Corp on the buddy
plan. Steven was KIA May 15, 1968 and Anthony was KIA August 23, 1968.

John A. Jensen and Charles D. Turnbough were buddies who graduated from high
school together and joined the Marines together. John was KIA August 27, 1967
and Charles was KIA three days later on August 30, 1967.

BROTHERS:
Brothers Charles and Philip Tank of Ecorse, Michigan were both killed in
Vietnam. Charles on April 19, 1969 Philip on September 12, 1968.

Brothers Kenneth and Paul Olenzuk were both killed in Vietnam. Kenneth on
December 25, 1967 and Paul on August 10, 1968

Brothers Marlin and Norman Eversgerd were both killed in Vietnam. Marlin on
March 19, 1967 and Norman on August 18, 1968

Brothers Bennett and Dennis Herrick were both killed in Vietnam. Bennett on
March 25, 1968 and Dennis on August 02, 1970

Brothers Gabriel and Paul Trujillo were both killed in Vietnam. Gabriel on
February 23, 1971 and Paul on November 04, 1971

Brothers Benjamin and Francisco Montano were both killed in Vietnam. Francisco
on April 08, 1967 and Benjamin on May 15, 1969

Brothers James and John Rowden were both killed in Vietnam. James on March 05,
1966 and John on February 10, 1968

Brothers Michael and William Francis were both killed in Vietnam. Michael on
September 30, 1967 and William on March 09, 1970

Brothers Robert and Steven Gaftunik were both killed in Vietnam. Robert on
August 25, 1969 and Steven on March 27, 1968

Brothers Rudy and Stanley Sagon were both killed in Vietnam. Rudy on December
10, 1965 and Stanley on May 20, 1966

Brothers Robert and Phillip Wyatt were both killed in Vietnam. Robert on July
10, 1967 and Phillip on May 28, 1968

Brothers Samuel and William Nixon were both killed in Vietnam. Samuel on March
21, 1968 and William on May 8, 1968

Brothers Kirby and Lanny Hamby were both killed in Vietnam. Kirby on June 8,
1968 and Lanny on October 14, 1969

Brothers John and David Banks were both killed in Vietnam. John on March 28,
1966 and David on April 21, 1969

Brothers George and James Wright were both killed in Vietnam. George on May 21,
1967 and James on May 31, 1969

Brothers Donald and Cordis White were both killed in Vietnam. Donald on March 5,
1967 and Cordis on September 18, 1969

Brothers Clyde and Edward Withee were both killed in Vietnam. Clyde on February
5, 1966 and Edward on October 6, 1970

Brothers Richard and Larry Land were both killed in Vietnam. Richard on May 18,
1967 and Larry on March 28, 1971

Brothers Robert and Harold Musselman were both killed in Vietnam. Robert on
October 25, 1967 and Harold on March 3, 1969

Brothers David and Otis Morgan were both killed in Vietnam. David on January 20,
1969 and Otis on January 28, 1970

Brothers John and Dana Jensen were both killed in Vietnam. John on August 27,
1967 and Dana on April 17, 1969

Brothers Stephen and Stanley Barrett were both killed in Vietnam. Stephen on
January 25, 1968 and Stanley on October 3, 1970

Brothers Steven and Randy Mathias were both killed in Vietnam. Steven on July 2,
1967 and Randy on June 18, 1968

Brothers Roger and Stanley Herrell were both killed in Vietnam. Stanley on
November 1, 1968 and Roger on July 29, 1969

Brothers James and Kenneth Stutes were both killed in Vietnam. James on June 6,
1970 and Kenneth on July 5, 1967

Brothers Lane and Joseph Hargrove were both killed in Vietnam. Lane on April 21,
1968 and Joseph on May 15, 1975

Brothers Edmund and Michael Travis were both killed in Vietnam. Edmund on June
27, 1967 and Michael on June 7, 1968

Brothers David and Norman Evans were both killed in Vietnam. David on October
24, 1968 and Norman on November 24, 1970

Brothers Juan and Arthur Garcia were both killed in Vietnam. Juan on Nov 20,
1967 and Arthur on February 7, 1970

Brothers David and John Greeson were both killed in Vietnam. David on Nov 7,
1969 and John on July 22, 1968

Brothers Leonard and Byron McQuinn were both killed in Vietnam. Leonard on Sept
5, 1966 and Byron on Feb 24, 1969

Brothers Rodrick and Garland Whalen were both killed in Vietnam. Rodrick on
October 1, 1966 and Garland on January 31, 1969

STEP BROTHERS:
Richard Earl Sipes and Raymond Omer Kincannon were step brothers and raised
together in Chula Vista, CA. They were both killed in Vietnam. Richard on Dec
29, 1966 and Raymond on April 1, 1968

FATHER AND SON:
Richard B. Fitzgibbon Jr. was killed June 08, 1956 his son Richard B. Fitzgibbon
III was KIA September 07, 1965.

Leo Hester Sr. Died March 10, 1967 in a aircraft crash his son Leo Hester Jr.
was KIA November 02, 1969 also in a aircraft crash.

FATHER NOT ON THE MEMORIAL WITH SON:
Although both father and son served in Vietnam during the same time frame, the
father is not on the Memorial. Lt. Rex Chrisman, US Navy, died of a heart attack
while assigned on the USS Estes that was being serviced in Bangkok. The ship was
waiting for its next maneuver to the China Sea. His son, PFC Rex G. Chrisman
took his father back home for burial. Returning to Vietnam, Rex was killed a
month later.

Number of living whose names are etched on the “wall” in error? TWELVE!

Names Added to Memorial: Since 1997 78 names of veterans who have died due to
their wounds received during the Vietnam war have been added to the Wall. The
latest names added are listed below.
Added 2005
Army PFC Thomas Joseph Conners
Army Sergeant Richard Edward Daly Jr.
Army PFC John Harold Berg
Army PFC William Ellis Browning

Added 2006
Army SP4 Bobby Gene Barbre
Marine Lance Cpl. George Bryant Givens Jr.
Marine Pfc. Hans Jorg Rudolph Lorenz
Marine Capt. Robert Patrick Rumley Jr.

Added 2007
Army SP4 Wesley Alvin Stiverson
Army Sergeant Richard Monroe Pruett
Navy Fireman Apprentice Joseph Gerald Krywicki

Added 2008
Army SP4 Dennis O. Hargrove
Marine Lance Cpl. Richard M. Goossens
Army SP4 Darrell J. Naylor
Marine Lance Cpl. Raymond C. Mason

In Memory Day Since the war in Vietnam came to an end, there has been a
growing sense among many veterans and their families that those who served in
this nation's longest war have suffered and are continuing to suffer premature
deaths related to their service. These deaths have been attributed to exposure
to Agent Orange, post- traumatic stress disorder, and a growing list of other
causes.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's In Memory Day program honors those who
died as a result of the Vietnam War, but whose deaths do not fit the Department
of Defense criteria for inclusion upon the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in
Washington, D.C. Every year there is a ceremony to pay tribute to these men and
women who sacrificed so much for their country. The ceremony is held on the
third Monday in April — In Memory Day.
http://thewall-usa.com/names.asp
~~~~~~~~~~

--
T. P. Woodfork
"You can't pray a lie."
-Huckleberry Finn
www.8thwood.com