August 5th, 1959 ~ May 7th, 1975
58,256 paid the ultimate price
POW/MIA 1,822
Maine Deaths 343
216 United States Army
19 United States Navy
20 United States Air Force
88 United States Marines
0 United States Coast Guard
"We went; we didn't ask why; our country called; and we were proud"
BUKER,
BRIAN LEROY
MATTHEWS, GENE FLETCHER
Robert Earle Goding Private First Class, United States Marine Corps
Ashland, Maine, September 21, 1948 to March 3, 1969, panel 30W line 22.
POITROW, EMERY NORMAN
SKINNER, JAMES CRAWFORD
ALMON, WILLIAM RUSSELL
BELANGER, ALBERT LEE
Michael Hubert Deschenes Private First Class
H CO, 2ND BN, 26TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, USMC
05 December 1947 - 16 September 1968, Auburn, Maine, Panel 43W Line 003
GAGNE, BERTRAND RONALD
HUTCHINSON, ALLEN MELVIN
LUTTRELL, BRUCE IRVING
NICHOLAS, REGINALD
VLAHAKOS, PETER GEORGE
WALKER, HAROLD EVERETT JR
ARNOLD, RICHARD W
BECHARD, RAYMOND JOSEPH
Raymond Joseph Bechard, originally from Augusta, who was KIA in Vietnam in 1969
BELL, GILBERT STEVENS JR
CHAVARIE, NORMAN JOSEPH
CHILDS, CHRISTOPHER J III
Edwin Matti Kahkonen Jr., Lance Corporal
A CO, 1ST BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, USMC
09 February 1949 - 29 October 1967, Augusta, ME, Panel 28E Line 096
KIRKPATRICK, RONALD IRVING
QU1NN, GREGORY CORNELIUS
TURNER, GILBERT CRAIG JR.
CALLINAN, WILLIAM FRANCIS
Robert Dorian Cranson, Specialist FourCHARLES E. SULLIVAN Jr., Corporal
C CO, 1st BN, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, USMC
17 February 1946 - 29 June 1967, Bangor, Panel 22E Line 085
My son, S/Sgt. Wayne Clifton Cyr, was a great, courageous soldier. He
enlisted at 17. He served in the Army Infantry and was killed in Vietnam, May 7, 1968,
barely 21 years old. His brother, Master Sergeant Alvin Cyr made the Army his
career. ret.,
Bernice Maxheimer, Cherryfield
DELANO, MERWIN A JR
DUFAULT, JAMES RICHARD
John
Wallace Knight Sergeant
B Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry (Airborne), USA
13 February 1942 - 21 January 1968, Berwick, ME, Panel 35E Line 007
Carl Russell Churchill Captain
497TH TFS, 8TH TFW, 7TH AF, USAF
08 July 1945 -
03 May 1970, Bethel, ME, Panel 11W Line 090
SMILEY, RONALD OWEN
BORDUAS, RAYMOND ARTHUR
Robert Normand Dechene Warrant Officer
D CO, 229 ASSAULT HELICOPTER BATTALION, 1 CAV DIV, USA
12 March 1944 - 17 September 1967, Biddeford,
Maine, Panel 26E Line 083
GUAY, HERVE JOSEPH
LA BONTE, ROGER EDWARD
LEPAGE, REYNALD GERARD
POITRAS, NORMAN GERALD JOSEPH
BELANGER, JOSEPH KENNETH L
LENTO, STANLEY JOHN
SAWYER, JONATHAN ANSEL
T1BBETTS, GORDON EDMUND
POLIQUIN, MICHAEL EDWARD
CAYFORD, PHILL1P J JR
DERAGON, MICHAEL HENRY
HEATH, JOSEPH EMERSON
WATSON, LORING WILLIAM
CRESSEY, JAMES DANIEL JR
David Littlehale Farley Specialist Four
HHC, 1ST BN, 35TH INF RGT, 4 INF DIV, USA
26 October 1944 - 09 October 1967, Brunswick,
Maine, Panel 27E Line 081
FITCH, RONALD RUSSELL
GARRISON, EARL STANLEY
Bruce Harold Tibbetts, Private First Class
Richard Clair Dority, Sergeant
Leslie Aaron Dalrymple Corporal
B CO, 1ST BN, 20TH INFANTRY, 11 INF BDE
From Farmington, Maine, 19 July 1948 - 26
December 1969
COX, DAVID AUSTIN
DUPREY, DANNY LEE
HIGGINS, KENNETH LEE
BOSSIE, KENNETH JAMES
Richard Thomas Corriveau, Corporal
D CO, 1ST BN, 506TH INF RGT, 101 ABN DIV, USA
21 June 1949 -
11 July 1969, Fort Kent, ME, Panel 21W Line 099
GAGNON, JOSEPH DENNIS
MICHAUD, BENTON
DREW, THEODORE GLENN
Robert Stewart Graustein, Lieutenant Commander
VA-75, CVW-3, USS SARATOGA, USN
29 September 1939 - 03 March 1975, Fryeburg,
Maine, Panel 01W Line 099
BAILEY, JON
BEAN, GUY ROBERT
DORR, GERALD ANDREW
HANLEY, TERENCE HIGGINS
REYNOLDS, HAROLD W
FOSTER, DAVID DAN
WEST, JAMES RUSSELL
HARDY, HERBERT FRANCIS JR.
MC EACHERN, RANGE ALDEN JR
Edwin Byron Ryder, Sergeant First Class
59TH ENG CO, 39TH ENG BN, 45TH ENG GRP, 18TH ENG BDE, USA
08 April 1938 - 31 August 1969, Greenville Junction, Maine, Panel 18W Line 017
MOODY, THOMAS JOHN
MUSSETTI, JOSEPH TONY JR
AVORE, MALCOLM ARTHUR
CLIFFORD, JON IRVING
MICHAUD, LEO EDWARD
ANDERSON, CURT1S STEWART
GENESEO, LOUIS J
SAINT JOHN, RONALD GEORGE
MORGAN, VAUGHAN SHAW
WHITTEN, MILAN ELMER
WILLS, ROBERT EMERY
LANGLEY, WESTON JOSEPH
MC QUIRE, HARRY JOHN III
KRZYNOWEK, PAUL S
CHASE, JAMES FRANCIS
Richard Joseph Preskenis, Private First Class
C CO, 1ST BN, 7TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, USMC
26 December 1943 - 28 March 1966, Hyde Park, ME,
Panel 06E Line 057
DEW, HENRY LOUIS
LANE, DAVID ALAN
James
Walter Godfrey, Warrant
Officer, Helicopter Pilot
B TRP, 1ST SQD, 9TH CAV RGT, 1 CAV DIV, USA
22 August 1945 - 16 April 1967, Jefferson,
Maine, Panel 18E Line 034
JONES, LEWIS CARLTON JR.
BAZEMORE, THOMAS WAYNE
BERRY, ROBERT LESTER
Terry Francis Drown, Specialist Four
E CO, 4TH BN, 21ST INFANTRY, 11TH INF BDE, AMERICAL DIV, USA
24 October 1944 - 11 June 1969, Kennebunkport,
Maine, Panel 22W Line 020
MC GEE, FREDDY ALFORD
D ENTREMONT, LARRY AIME
ARMSTRONG, HERBERT ELBRIDGE
BOOBAR, LARRY DANIEL
HALL, EDWARD SENIOR
ASSELIN, LEO ROGER
BRETON, HAROLD GEORGE
DEROSIER, LAURIER DON
DESCHAINE, NORMAND CAMILLE
GUERETTE, ROLAND PHILIPPE
HODGKIN, FOREST CLAYTON
MC GONAGLE, MICHAEL JOHN
Thomas Joseph McMahon Specialist Four
Gary Dale Tracy, Corporal
HMM-161, MAG-16, 3RD MAF, USMC
14 September 1936 - 06 June 1965, Limestone,
Maine, Panel 02E Line 001
Donald Leroy Brown, Corporal
My cousin, Capt. John "Jack" Everett Duffy, a United States Air Force Academy graduate. Jack was shot down over Vietnam while flying an observation aircraft. His body was returned to Maine only a few years ago, long after the deaths of his father, mother, and one brother. Col. Richard D. Duffy, Belgrade, Serving in the Maine Army National Guard
Paul Everett Getchell, Lieutenant Colonel
James M. McDonough, Jr., Captain
Malcolm Pierce Libbey, Staff Sergeant
RICKARDS,
LINWOOD PRESTON
RUSSELL, LYNN JORDAN
VESTER, FREDRICK HAZER
DUBE, PETER LEE
FERGUSON, THOMAS BERNARD
THERIAULT, HARRY EVERETT
David Harold Alexander, Specialist Four
Bradford Scott Nickerson, Private
Phillip
Sherwood Bryant, of Turner
Carlton
Andrew Frost, Private First Class,
D CO, 1ST BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARINE DIVISION, USMC, 19 February 1948 - 19 May 1968, Winslow, Maine,
Panel 63E Line 009
William Stephen Sanders, Captain,
23RD TASS, 504TH TACG, 7TH AF, USAF
27 April 1943 - 30 June 1970, Winthrop, ME,
Panel 09W Line 107
Three Maine Medal of Honor Recipients from Vietnam Conflict
Sergeant Brian L. Buker, of Benton, served in the U.S. Army, Detachment B-55 5th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty," at Chau Doc Province, Republic of Vietnam, 5 April 1970. "Sergeant Buker distinguished himself while serving as platoon adviser of a Vietnamese mobile strike force company during an offensive mission. Sergeant Buker personally led the platoon, cleared a strategically located and well guarded pass, and established the first foothold at the top of what had been an impenetrable mountain fortress...As a direct result of his heroic actions, many casualties were averted, and the assault of the enemy position was successful. Sergeant Buker's extraordinary heroism at the cost of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the U.S. Army."
Specialist Fourth Class Thomas J. McMahon, who entered the military in Portland, served in the U.S. Army, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 196th Brigade, American Division. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously by distinguishing himself while serving as medical aidman with Company A in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam on 19 March 1969. "When the lead elements of his company came under heavy fire from well fortified enemy positions, 3 soldiers fell seriously wounded. SP4 McMahon, with complete disregard for his safety, left his covered position and ran through intense enemy fire...He fell mortally wounded before he could rescue the last man. SP4 McMahon's undaunted concern for the welfare of his comrades at the cost of his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army."
Sergeant Donald S. Skidgel, of Caribou, served in the U.S. Army, Troop D, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Division. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for distinguished service as a reconnaissance section leader in Troop D near Song Be, Republic of Vietnam on 14 September 1969. "On a road near Song Be in Binh Long Province, Sergeant Skidgel and his section with other elements of his troop were acting as a convoy security and screening force when contact occurred with an estimated enemy battalion concealed in tall grass and in bunkers bordering the road...His selfless actions enabled the command group to withdraw to a better position without casualties and inspired the rest of his fellow soldiers to gain fire superiority and defeat the enemy. Sergeant Skidgel's gallantry at the cost of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army."
From United States of America's Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients and Their Official Citations, provided by the Office of the Adjutant General, State of Maine
Apparently mistaken for a Frenchman, Lieutenant Colonel A. Peter Dewey was gunned down by Vietminh troops on September 26, 1945, as he was driving a jeep to the Saigon airport. Dewey was the son of a former Illinois congressman and an agent in the Office of Strategic Services (O.S.S., a precursor to the C.I.A.). He became the first American killed in what would come to be called the Vietnam Era.
1961
– President Kennedy orders more help for the South Vietnamese government in its
war against the Vietcong guerillas. More than 3,000 military advisors and
support personnel are sent.
1962 – Helicopters flown by U.S. Army pilots mark the first U.S. combat missions against the Vietcong.
1963-1964 – The Vietcong and local guerillas ambush the South Vietnamese on January 2, 1963.
Almost 400 South Vietnamese are killed or wounded.
On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy is assassinated. Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson becomes President.
At this time 16,000 military advisors are in Vietnam. The Kennedy administration had run the war from Washington without large-scale commitment of American combat troops.
President Johnson, however, argues for more expansive war powers after the raid on two U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin.
April-June 1964 – American air power is massively reinforced and two aircraft carriers arrive off the Vietnamese coast prompted by a North Vietnamese offensive in Laos.
Early August, 1964 – Forces of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) attack two American ships in the Gulf of Tonkin.
August 7, 1964 – The U.S. Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson the power to take whatever actions he deems necessary to defend Southeast Asia.
1965 – President Johnson sends the first combat troops to Vietnam.
1965-1967 – There are not enough volunteers to continue to fight a protracted war and the government institutes a draft.
Sentiment against the U.S. participation in the war increases. Growing numbers of citizens begin to question whether the U.S. effort can succeed, and they express their dissatisfaction in peace marches, demonstrations, and acts of civil disobedience.
This was a period of overwhelming personal losses and dramatic sacrifices!
1968 The Tet Offensive
Vietnamese tradition held that the turning of the lunar year should bring auspicious signs and gladness of heart; thus, it had become customary for both sides to observe a truce during the holiday celebrations. In 1968, a thirty-six hour cease-fire had been agreed upon, to commence at midnight on January 30.
Vietnamese tradition held that the turning of the lunar year should bring auspicious signs and gladness of heart; thus, it had become customary for both sides to observe a truce during the holiday celebrations. In 1968, a thirty-six hour cease-fire had been agreed upon, to commence at midnight on January 30.
The Tet Offensive brought the war to the cities for the first time. General Westmoreland established Operation Recovery to coordinate the rebuilding process for these cities.
1968 - 1972 – During 1969 action in South Vietnam is scattered and limited. In June, President Richard M. Nixon announces the withdrawal of 25,000 U.S. troops. There are more than 540,000 U.S. military personnel in Vietnam.
During spring of 1970 the Ho Chi Minh Trail is the constant target of B-52 bomber raids. Fighting expands into Cambodia, and new waves of anti-war protests erupt in the United States. By late 1970 the number of personnel in South Vietnam is 335,000.
The gradual withdrawal of military personnel in South Vietnam proceeds, but the peace talks are in a stalemate. The South Vietnamese take responsibility for fighting on the ground, but U.S. air support is still needed. The number of military personnel has dropped to 160,000.
In 1972 the North Vietnamese invade the DMZ and capture Quang Tri province. President Nixon responds by ordering intense bombing of the North.
1973 - 1975 – Peace talks resume in Paris on January 23, 1973. South Vietnamese communist forces, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States agree to a cease-fire. All U.S. Forces are to be withdrawn and all bases dismantled. The 17th parallel will remain the dividing line until the country can be reunited by "peaceful means."
But the fighting continues. Casualties are as high as they have ever been. In 1974 the North Vietnamese begin preparing for a major offensive while South Vietnam tries to hold the areas under its control. The North Vietnamese capture Phuoc Binh 60 miles north of Saigon in January 1975 and then begin a large-scale offensive in the central highlands in early March. The South Vietnamese military machine starts to unravel.
April 30, 1975 – The South Vietnamese government surrenders unconditionally. North Vietnamese tanks occupy Saigon. The last Americans leave Saigon, including 10 Marines from the United States Embassy.
July 2, 1976 – A military government is instituted and the country is officially united as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with its capital in Hanoi.
Since its founding in Paris in 1919, the American Legion has been an advocate for America's veterans, a friend of the United States military, a sponsor of community based programs for our young people and a spokesman for patriotic values. Nearly 2.8 million members make it the nation's largest veterans organization, with about 15,000 local "posts" in most communities and six foreign countries. Membership is restricted to men and women who served in the United States military during an official period of conflict.
If you are a veteran or the son or grandson of a veteran that served during these periods of conflict we need your help today. Please consider becoming a member of a local post as we need you to continue the vital work that was started by the dedicated veterans of World War I. Please send a copy of your DD214 or SS59 or your dads or granddads to 3rddistrict@megalink.net or by post mail at the registered office at: 451 Lower Street, Turner, Maine 04282 with a check of 25.00
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