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 John and Harold Ritch were both killed in Vietnam. John on Nov 10 1968 and Harold on Nov 12, 1971

      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

 

 

Names on the Wall

 

*The first American soldier killed in the Vietnam Was 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.

*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.

*The youngest Vietnam KIA is believed to be Dan Bullock USMC, at 15 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.

*The oldest man killed was 62 years old.

*More than 17,000 of those killed were married.

*Veterans killed on their first day in Vietnam 997

*Veterans killed on their last day in Vietnam 1,448

*Number of Chaplains on the Wall … 7 (2 Medal Of Honor)

*Number of Women on the Wall … 8 (7 Army, 1 USAF - 7,484 served)

Friends Whose Names Are On The Wall

 



 

 

WEST VIRGINIANS KILLED IN VIETNAM

Vietnam KIA's BY MILITARY UNIT

ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, AND MARINES