Memorial Day - Remeber Your Fallen Loved Ones

[M36]

With the Memorial Day just around the corner, I thought I would start an Aces High tribute to your friends, loved ones, those you may have served with, who have given the ultimate sacrifice while in service of this country. Even if not a friend or loved one, recognition here, is still in honor of his/her sacrifice. I would hope that this be carried through the weekend as maybe a temporary sticky so that it doesn't disappear or get lost in the forum and forgotten about. We should never forget. I would also ask that all salutes from non contributors be held until Monday the 28th, Memorial Day, to allow time for others to post their remembrances and comments to be viewed one after another. I know I don't make the rules, I can only ask.

 Here is mine, my father. I was eight years old. I still miss you Dad!!!


SFC Lewis E Bonnie

                        A Note from The Virtual Wall
During the night of 04/05 November 1966 the 1st Infantry Division moved the division HQ and several combat units by air and land into the area around Dau Tieng. Contact was made as the battalions moved into multiple landing zones, and the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 28th Infantry, were moved in behind the enemy's offensive thrusts.

On the night of 07/08 November the 1/28th's night defensive position at Ap Cha Do was attacked by elements of the 272nd VC and the 101st NVA Regiments. The battle continued until 11 AM, when the VC/NVA withdrew. When the 2/28th swept the area they found the reason for the VC/NVA's aggressive defense of the area - a base camp that stretched for over a mile through the thick jungle and contained one of the largest caches of ammo and supplies taken to date. The base camp contained 19,000 grenades, a Claymore mine factory, 1135 pounds of explosives, 400 bangalore torpedoes, a command radio system and other items. In addition to the base camp, the US soldiers found 399 VC/NVA dead.

The 1/28th received the Presidential Unit Citation for the Battle of Ap Cha Do - but at the cost of 19 dead and dozens more wounded. The dead were

    * A Co, 1st Bn, 28th Infantry
          o CPT Ronald V. Putnam, Huntland, TN

    * B Co, 1st Bn, 28th Infantry
          o 1LT Bernard F. Kistler, Franklin, PA
          o SGT Calvert J. Johnson, Lynchburg, VA
          o SP4 Walter J. Schmidt, Laurence Harbor, NJ
          o SP4 Caspar M. Walsh, Chicago, IL
          o SP4 Nathaniel Wyley, Olive Branch, MS
          o PFC Howard L. Bowen, Albion, NY
          o PFC Jackie B. Hall, Abilene, TX
          o PFC Jerry L. Happel, St Louis, MO
          o PFC Charles M. Todd, Mansfield, OH
          o PFC Rafael Vega-Maysonet, Barceloneta, PR

    * C Co, 1st Bn, 28th Infantry
          o 1LT David B. Dann, Milwaukee, WI
          o MSG Vertis J. Hill, Ridgeville, SC
          o SP4 Arthur R. Erschoen, Los Angeles, CA

    * HHC, 1st Bn, 28th Infantry
          o CPT Euripides Rubio, Ponce, PR (Medal of Honor)
          o SP4 James M. Kelly, Atmore, AL
          o PFC Henry A. Garza, San Antonio, TX

    * A Co, 2nd Bn, 28th Infantry
          o SFC Lewis E. Bonnie, Evansville, IN
          o SGT Edward G. Blackmon, Austin, TX

[Holden McGroin]

Army PFC David Fredrick Wagner served until April 9th, 1968 in Thua Thien, South Vietnam. He was 19 years old and was not married. David died from multiple fragmentation wounds/mine. His body was recovered. David was born on October 29th, 1948 in Adelanto, California.

[Odee]

To all that have served honorably in Peace and at War; my family Salutes you!

To the Fallen, and Wounded Vets of all Eras; Yours was the greatest sacrifice one can give, that others may enjoy the Freedoms we share.

May He continue to richly bless you and yours in all things.

SALUTE from the Dillon's

=====================
Not to detract from, nor hijack the thread; "Pay it forward" is a term taken from the movie of the same name.  The deed is something I have been doing at least the past 40 years or so...

If, during your daily travails, you have the opportunity to thank a person in uniform, please do so.  Whether Fireman, Police Officer, Military or other Civil Servant, you cannot imagine how much such a small thing means to them.

And if you have the means, pick up the tab for lunch, or a coffee/soda/snack when they're in line with you at the counter of a store...

This is something I do, not for recognition, or to pad my account for the after life, but because of the sacrifices they will be called upon to perform, that we may be secure and safe.  

[Maverick]

A big to all my fallen Brothers and Sisters. You are not forgotten.

[Jackal1]

Salute

Monroe Hackney
1925 - 1997
U.S. Army - Infantry
WWII


Love ya Pop