Olivet Church in Arlington, Va., always won the first aid competitions because of Keith's efforts. The evidence was clear: The NVA made a major effort to take the station, and the people resisting that effort had put up a hell of a fight to prevent it. But for some reason, Keith kept an eye on it, making sure nobody closed it. Years later, I decided to put together the remaining pieces. Sadly, he left this earth on Feb. 8, 1967, while serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam with the 173d Airborne Brigade (Sep.). The National Guard Armory was named in his honor after his death. This occurred in October of 1967. https://blog.theveteranssite.greatergood.com/vietnam-combat-pilots Some wanted to be soldiers or pilots; others wanted to be doctors, nurses, or ministers. During the Vietnam War, the United States Air Force awarded its second-highest award, the Air Force Cross, to nineteen enlisted airmen. War: Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Branch: Navy Service Location: United States Naval Training Center (USNTC), San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Coronado and Alameda, California; Midway Island; Vietnam Theme: Vietnam War: Looking Back: Joseph Stephen Acsai War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Army Service Location: Africa; Sicily, Italy Theme: The War: Jay S. Adams War: World War, 1939-1945 … Note he's armed with the M14 rifle. Military Times has partnered with VVMF in its mission to find photos of every single casualty listed on The Wall. In 2006, the Fort Sam Houston Library was renamed the Keith A. Campbell Memorial Library. The Medal of Honor brings with it a degree of celebrity, but it is “celebrity without fortune”. Dad tried to teach me to play the game he loved, and I loved every minute of it. While he never was able to complete all he wanted to do, he did use his medical skills to help many people before he died. ARTICLES; Jan 29, 2015 Craig Bowman. Two were killed in the action — and one of those was my friend Sgt. Forty-two years after a selfless act of heroism saved his surrounded comrades lives, No one was surprised at Dave's courageous death. Years later, I learned that Dad had received deployment orders just a week before our little outing. One afternoon, a call came from the ER: FUO, unconscious, temperature off the end of the thermometer. The Real-Life Rambo who beat the U.S. military at its own job. Required fields are marked *. We were deprived of so many days, but not that day. That day, I loved golf. Our mother, Esther B. Campbell Gates, saw Keith's interest in medicine early on and invested in a set of medical encyclopedias, which Keith read cover to cover several times. Being a medic in the Army was just the first step in my brother’s life plan — he eventually saw himself becoming a doctor. He was an Air Cav pilot, delivering and evacuating troops into and out of battlefields. Our front hallway door was always open, so it was not unusual for it to be open that Christmas morning. When I did, there behind the door was a life-sized doll for me! By 1968, we were suffering more than 1,200 killed in action each month. During my tour, I … All of us who knew and served with him are better because of his example of integrity, service and courage. I thought he was great — strong, handsome, generous, patient, and kind. The reasoning was that the M-16 was not accurate at long distances and if we saw NVA at about 300-400 meters we could not get a hit. Over the years, Keith caught me opening my Christmas presents early, then rewrapping them so no one would know I had been peeking. None of the tests showed anything in particular. Keith immediately knew that time was of the utmost importance and surgically removed the limb, saving his vision. Tom said he thought he’d better submit his leave papers in a hurry and try to squeeze out 30 days with his family back in Arkansas. After lunch, Dad and I played golf. And then, he was gone. Many had been to our house on different occasions—for parties, to say hello or just to talk. Ed W. Freeman. During his two tours in Vietnam, Col. Moore flew 2,752 combat medevac mission and transported 2,952 wounded men back to the medical help they needed. And then he began to slip away from us. —Sara McVicker served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps from 1968 to 1971, including a tour in Vietnam at the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku. The sad fact though is that during the Vietnam War, many men lost their lives due to accidents and friendly fire. During the war, he received a Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for wounds suffered in combat. A true hero is recognized by the strength of his character and actions in times of life-threatening situations. He was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, received two Silver Star medals and was awarded three Purple Heart medals for wounds received in infantry combat. All Rights Reserved. The Pentagon is a mighty big place, an American institution filled with legends, lore, and high-ranking military men and women. After Hathcock’s parents divorced he lived with his grandmother and began to hunt early, partly out of necessity to feed his family. As a 25-year-old lieutenant in Vietnam in February 1969, the Nebraska-born Kerrey led a … There was no way for either of us to know what lay in store. ‘I remember him saying something to the [helicopter] pilot like, get out of here, I’ll get the next one out. Discover the benefits that come with your membership. “Hemingway was right,” he once told me. Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. Joseph Acevedo, in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and is a member of Sons and Daughters in Touch. It was the perfect day, just my best friend and me. The medical patients usually came in late afternoon. A true hero goes above and beyond the call of duty to serve his country by demonstrating superb courage, bravery, and leadership. Others liked fast cars or motorcycles. Over the years, he liked trying to frustrate my attempts at getting a preview of my gifts—for instance, taking an entire roll of Scotch tape to wrap my gift. —Justin “Jerry” Martin is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and Vietnam veteran. There are so many stories on The Wall — stories of people as diverse as our nation itself. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is names — more than 58,000 names of men and women who were killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War. It was our special day, and for a little girl who adored her father, it was heaven. I guess that during difficult times and being far away from home, friends became family. She works tirelessly on behalf of Gold Star Families everywhere. Understanding the power of a picture, the Veterans History Project encourages veterans to submit photographs of their time in the military. Earl got the baby sister he wanted when I was born. He was the quietest member of our small portion of the brotherhood. In the Bible, John 15:13 says: “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”. That day was going to be just Dad and me. Three Vietnam War Veterans Share Their Stories W.D. We were sitting in one of the huge old blimp hangars at the Marine Corps Air Facility, Santa Ana, California, in the late summer of 1967, contemplating orders to pack our trash and say our goodbyes. Vincent Gabriel, Jr returned from his tour of duty in Vietnam thirty eight years ago. © Copyright 2021 Saturday Evening Post Society. Instead, he often made splints for my dolls, as I pretended they fell and broke a leg or arm. ‘I don’t remember how many wounded were taken out when we started taking small-arms fire,’ said Peters. There are so many stories on The Wall — stories of people as diverse as our nation itself. As always, we had breakfast together. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. As always, we had breakfast together. In a very simple and quiet way, he walked down the aisle with me. The Rangers suffered more than 200 casualties during this violent ambush. Vietnam War Hero Shares His Story. The loss of the entire advisory team to 41st Ranger Battalion was a great shock to the country and widely covered in the press at the time. Also, the George Washington Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army issues the Keith A. Campbell Memorial Plaque annually to the outstanding enlisted reservist in the Washington, D.C. area. I was a cadet at West Point and had enormous respect for this dedicated and confident young officer. There has been no official acknowledgement of changing the eligibility requirements to my knowledge. No one knew. STORIES OF HONOR 2020: The Times and Democrat highlights the service of local veterans The Tet Offensive of 1968 was a major escalation and one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War. The underground war of Vietnam had a subterranean aspect reaching far beyond the awareness of the American military brass conducting the war. —Jane (Tharp) Woodruff and her husband live in Virginia with their four children. The Saturday Evening Post is a nonprofit organization funded primarily by our members. A US grunt enjoys a quiet smoke. She's one of the few pilots who ever landed the A-10 in the manual mode’ Early in the Iraq war, on … In my heart, I will always be honored to say that not only did I know Keith Allen Campbell, but I was blessed to be his baby sister. When I think of my brother Keith Allen Campbell, I think of those three words. It was a beautiful spring day in paradise. She is also a member of Sons and Daughters in Touch (SDIT), a group of children of the men whose names are on The Wall, and spoke at the Father's Day Rose Remembrance Ceremony at The Wall in 2006. Keith always wanted to become an Army doctor, and I wanted to become a nurse; we shared a common bond in this field. Vietnam War Hero Shares His Story. Understanding the power of a picture, the Veterans History Project encourages veterans to submit photographs of their time in the military. Hear inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles from veterans. I was always his ready and willing nurse, no matter who the patients were! It was late June, 1966. Later in the fighting to retake Huê, I was assigned to assault units and managed to get a close look at the battered and shattered AFVN station where I’d visited Tom prior to Têt. The second pilot you will meet is retired CWO2 Allan Potter. For Mr. and Mrs. William Pitsenbarger, the September 22, … "the Puerto Rican Rambo" and "Sergeant Rock", is a former United States Army soldier. With fewer than 9,000 to go before the collection reaches its goal, you can help us #FinishTheWall. All four received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second-highest award for valor. Some had children they cherished and missed when they were away. These Vietnam War photos are a key part of understanding soldiers' experiences during the conflict and provide insight into operational specifics that were unknown to the press. No heroics—there wasn't anything else to be done. Save. Tim Chitwood, (Columbus, Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer via the AP, Gabrielle Calise, The Tampa Bay Times via the AP, Recognition sought for WWII 'Ghost Army' unit | Military Times Reports, New report breaks down STI rates by branch and job speciality | Military Times Reports, An end in sight for war in Afghanistan | Defense News Weekly Full Episode - 4.17.20, The end of the endless war? Among his combat decorations are the Silver Star for gallantry and the Purple Heart. Most would be an FUO (fever of unknown origin, which usually would turn out to be malaria or typhus), sometimes dysentery, occasionally pneumonia, and once or twice a cardiac case. When I think of my brother Keith Allen Campbell, I think of those three words. And then he began to slip away from us. He was selfless in nature, always willing to do his job without complaint and usually with a shy smile. They brought him up from the ER on a stretcher, packed in bags of ice. She was the size of a three-year-old child. I am grateful to have had an additional 50+ years of life that 58,000 + young men and women did not and I hope you will find comfort in looking at our service in Vietnam in this perspective. He wanted the children of Vietnam to have a better life than their parents. They were people with special talents and many goals. Capt. They enjoyed crazy adventures with high school friends. That day, I loved golf. He completed Ranger School and Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Ga. Dave then served with great distinction as an infantry officer in the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, Ky. Dave and my sister had two daughters. He is a hero. Beth has become an accomplished business woman. There would be no more breakfasts together, no more playing golf or singing, and no more walks for Dad and me. He wanted the people of Vietnam to have the freedom we had. He was a senior-ranking cadet at The Citadel, class of 1961. I remember back then, we had a lot of family! Keith Allen Campbell is honored on Panel 15E, Row 8 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Keith was not only my big brother, but he was also a father figure, someone I truly looked up to for advice. His acts of valor would earn him the Medal of Honor. Your email address will not be published. Muriel Stanley Groomes is honored on Panel 39W, Row 8 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Veterans overwhelmed by emotion come to pay their respects. That meeting was in January 1968. I never have. This act of valor saved many of his platoon but cost Sabo his life. Before he could carry his wounded friend to safety, an exploding round mortally wounded him. —Judy C. Campbell lives in Wilmington, Delaware, and is an active participant in VVMF ceremonies and programs. Jose L. Montes is honored on Panel 41W, Row 25 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. One day orders came down that there was an opportunity to go to “long range firing” training for those who were classified … In 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, it was common to see a returning, wounded vet walking or being wheeled off an Air Force carrier. “War is man’s greatest adventure.” As Marine Corps Combat Correspondents, we could be assigned anywhere in-country where Marines operated, as well as in a few interesting billets that did not involve accompanying line units into combat. He always wore it around his neck. No one knew. Learn more here. An Army medic, he used his body as a shield to protect a fellow soldier after he had provided life-saving medical treatment. Parents show names to their children, and talk about why that person was special. Of those nineteen awards, ten were awarded to Pararescuemen.... better known as PJs. GEN. BARRY McCAFFREY, USA (Ret.) He always wore it around his neck. But Tom was even more anxious to get to Vietnam and talked about leave as though it were just an expected step along the way to some momentous journey of discovery. David Ragin was my brother-in-law and my hero. Friends and family remember loved ones lost decades ago. He was the youngest Special Forces captain to have fought and commanded in the An Army medic, he used his body as a shield to protect a fellow soldier after he had provided life-saving medical treatment. I never have. “Bill” Ehrhart joined the U.S. Marines when he was 17. 1st Class Tom Ward. #VWS Specialist Fourth Class Leslie Halasz Sabo, Jr., of Ellwood City Pennsylvania, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his acts of terrorism in Se San, Cambodia on May 10, 1970. Live, laugh, love. Bob Kerrey. It is important for us to honor these people who served and sacrificed for their country. Lesser known heroes are Dr. Mary Walker, Versace, Hernandez and Schmeling. Shortly before Dave deployed, he and I spent half the night talking. —Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president emeritus Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) An American Hero (National Park Service, Vietnam Veterans Memorial) William David Howsa Ragin is honored on Panel 1E, Row 62 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial It was 1968, and we were in the middle of the Vietnam War. When the stories of an 'old war hero' won't wash. By Simon Caterson. But, I will never forget Christmas 1961; I think Keith was more excited than I was! Smoke em if you got em. Both men had absorbed the blast of a command-detonated claymore mine. As time passes by, some memories start to fade, while others remain. School bored Keith, as he was a hands-on type of guy and in many ways was self-educated. The Vietnam War, (also known as the Second Indochina War, Vietnam Conflict, and in Vietnam as the American War), took place from 1955 to 1975. I got orders to one of the line units, and Tom got assigned to an American Forces Vietnam Network radio and TV outlet in Huê. Vietnam War Stories; Battles / Campaigns; Vietnam Heroes; On Water – In the Air; Educational / Informational; POW / MIA; Veteran Tributes; Vietnam War Photos; Artwork of VN War; War Protestors / Demonstrations; Videos, Film, Music, and Movies about VN War; War Statistics; Military Slang; My Published Books; Interviews with Cherries Author Dave was filled with enthusiasm and spirit. Sgt. He laid down his life for a friend he knew less than two years. His dad had fought in World War II, and he wanted to join the long line of American patriots who had served to keep us free. Besides being new guys in the platoon, Max and I both came from the same area of the country: Max from Hampstead, Maryland, and me from Manassas, Virginia. ARTICLES; Jan 29, 2015 Craig Bowman. https://www.wearethemighty.com/.../sog-special-forces-vietnam-witow From the book Dreams Unfulfilled: Stories of the Men and Women on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial by Jan C. Scruggs. I don’t remember his name or where he was from, but I know where he is now. Vietnam War Stories are a way to discuss military service and the Memorial. … My brother died carrying a friend, not firing a gun. Taken by soldiers, sailors, and Marines who sought to capture their experiences on film, … Smoke em if you got em. I do not like golf. I am sorry for your loss. I just could not wait for Christmas morning! It was nothing dramatic, just blood pressure gradually dropping, urine output decreasing. I still have "Peggy," as we named her, and now my granddaughters play with her. A Salute to a Hero of the 101st Airborne Division # VWS Specialist Fourth Class Leslie Halasz Sabo, Jr., of Ellwood City Pennsylvania, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his acts of terrorism in Se San, Cambodia on May 10, 1970. . The caption under David Ragin's picture in his high school yearbook is his enduring epitaph: "He is so good that no one can be a better man.". Leslie Halasz Sabo, Jr. was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was last seen alive firing a machine gun while covering the withdrawal of his unit. Earl Watson Tharp Jr. was born on October 3, 1949, to Earl and Billie Tharp. Sign up for the Early Bird Brief - a daily roundup of military and defense news stories from around the globe. John Levitow was a true hero, not only for his valor in the skies over Vietnam but for the dignity he brought to his award. JUDY C. CAMPBELL lives in Wilmington, Del., and is an active participant in VVMF ceremonies and programs, as well as a strong supporter of the Education Center at The Wall. From the beginning, the Viet Cong knew that they didn’t have the means to defeat the… I vividly remember playing with my Barbie and Ginny dolls, taking a blanket and cardboard to partition off rooms as if I were making my own little dollhouse. The anxiety over leave was perfectly understandable. He was given early command of a company and named best company commander in the division prior to volunteering for Vietnam duty. She lost her husband, Navy Commander Joseph Acevedo, in Bahrain in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I have many memories of Dad, but the images and feelings of that day will stay with me forever. From the beginning, the Viet Cong knew that they didn’t have the means to defeat the… And then, he was gone. Published by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. When Dave was killed, there had only been 189 other Americans KIA in the Republic of Vietnam. They'd send a chopper around to the firebases if anyone needed to come in to the hospital. Long before he was an Army medic, he was my big brother. He was going to Vietnam. Most would be an FUO (fever of unknown origin, which usually would turn out to be malaria or typhus), sometimes dysentery, occasionally pneumonia, and once or twice a cardiac case. 1st Lt. David Ragin was my brother-in-law and my hero. Each of these ten men had unique experiences in this war but all had one thing in common, fight for a nation they were proud to serve. I think that, like many things in life, golf is something that you either like or you don't. He was killed in action on August 24, 1964, in a bloody battle along with three other brave American advisors serving with the Vietnamese 41st Ranger Battalion in Kiên Hoa province, 45 miles southwest of Saigon. On July 6, 1965, while Rocky Versace was still resisting his captors, Captain Roger Donlon and Detachment A-726 fought into the early morning hours to repulse an overwhelming enemy force in an attack on their outpost at Nam Dong. I had never played golf before that day. Jan Scruggs VIETNAM WAR STORIES- The War and The Wall podcast on demand - Jan Scruggs is founder of the nation's Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Ronald A. Payne entering a tunnel in search of Vietcong with a flashlight and M1911 pistol. Log in, register or subscribe to save articles for later. How do you get a name on the wall my husband died July 6 2018 he did 2 terms in Vietnam war ..he died of anger orange please let me know how to, Your email address will not be published. Become a Saturday Evening Post member and enjoy unlimited access. Millions of people visit The Wall each year. Learn the stories of the brave soldiers whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Former Marine first lieutenant and Vietnam War vet survived 40 surgeries and lost one eye and his left arm, which made him suffer from mental and emotional stress. Clebe McClary now shares his story with people around the world. I honor him for his great love. Photo Credit: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. He was adventuresome, but not reckless or careless. Ronald A. Payne entering a tunnel in search of Vietcong with a flashlight and M1911 pistol. Some even had children. While on maneuvers with the 11th Special Forces, his first sergeant walked into a tree limb. The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Max willingly shared the contents of his packages from home and gave away his rations of beer and cigarettes. He left, never to come back. —Dale Dye enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964 and served as a Marine correspondent in Vietnam during 1967–70, surviving 31 major combat operations. But for others, it is a special visit to see and touch the name of a loved one enshrined forever on our National Mall, maybe to leave a note or personal item in remembrance. Wood remains in contact with our family to this day. By giving us your email, you are opting in to the Early Bird Brief. Tom Young had experienced man’s greatest adventure — and greatest tragedy. Army Col. Douglas Moore (ret.). His name is somewhere on the west wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, panels 26-19. But we should also remember that they were people, just like us.
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