Military - Vietnam Era

1964 « Vietnam Era » 1974
O - T A - D E - J K-N O - T U - Z
Killed in Action Wounded in action POW/MIA Died during active duty + Contracted disease-illness-disability during service
Brief Timeline May 4, 1964 - Trade embargo imposed on North Vietnam in response to attacks from the North on South Vietnam August 2 and 4, 1964 - North Vietnamese torpedo boats attacked the U.S. destroyer *Maddox* in the Gulf of Tonkin. A second attack allegedly occurs on August 4. March 8, 1965 - The first U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam. April 6-8, 1965 - President Johnson authorizes the use of U.S. ground combat troops for offensive operations January 23, 1973 - United States, South Vietnam, and North Vietnam sign Paris Peace Accords, ending American combat role in war. U.S. military draft ends. A cease-fire goes into effect 5 days later March 29, 1973 - Last U.S. combat troops leave Vietnam April 1, 1973 - Hanoi releases last 591 acknowledged American POWs April 29-30, 1975 - Saigon falls. U. S. Navy evacuates U.S. personnel and South Vietnamese refugees. The last American combat death in Vietnam occurs. South Vietnamese President Duong Van Minh surrenders. North Vietnamese forces take over Saigon; South Vietnam surrenders to North Vietnam, ending the war and reunifying the country under communist control, forming the Independent Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Washington extends embargo to all of Vietnam November 11, 1982 - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, "The Wall," is dedicated in Washington, D.C.
Obrig, John US Army US Army Reserves Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) b May 18, 1943 d 2-13-2011 Oberlin OH Grove City OH Age 67y, 8m, 29d Buried in Grove City Cemetery Grove City OH In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1961 Son of Nicholas and Beulah Dague Obrig Married to Judi Roberts Obrig Owner of John Obrig’s Tax and Accounting Service Last Residence Grove City OH		Owens, James E. US Army b 3-26-1950 d 10-6-2007 Dell AR Hartford MI Age 57y, 6m, 13d In service 19__ to 19__ From HHS Class of 1968(?) Son of Fate and Iduma (Pritchard) Owens Employed with Friday Tractor, DuWell, and the Watervliet Foundry
Peters, Gary - Retired Colonel Indiana Air National Guard 181st Fighter Wing F16 Fighter Planes In service 1973 to 2003 HHS Class of 1969 Served in Air National Guard 1981 to 2003 US Marines 1973 - 1981 Awards » Sagamore of the Wabash » 5 Flight Safety Awards » 2 Air National Guard Level Unit » Environmental Awards » General Thomas D. White » Environmental Quality Award » Outstanding Mission Personnel Flight Award 2003 update Retired as Commander of the 181st Fighter Wing Indiana Air National Guard in Terre Haute IN. Gary and wife, Irene, relocated to civilian life in Florida after retirement.	Phillips, Jack	Phillips, James Military Police Sergeant First Class b 6/16/52 In service 5/10/71-10/30/91 Served in FT Leavenworth, Ord, Stewart, Richardson, Knox, Lewis Medals and Awards MSM, ARCOM, Aircraft Crew member badge, others Retired from Army in 1991 and hated the decision ever since. Once a soldier - always a soldier. From HHS Class of 1970 Resided in Hartford 1952-1971 Served through Persian Gulf War.
	US Army b 2-28-1944 d 8-21-2010 Lawrence MI Kalamazoo MI Age 66y, 5m, 23d Buried in Keeler Cemetery Keeler MI In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1962 (did not graduate with class, entered the military instead.) Son of Ezra and Helen Patterson Phillips Married to Celeste Heffner Phillips Member of Keeler General Baptist Church Lifetime Farmer Last Residence Hartford MI
Pomeroy, John Raymond	Pomeroy, Kenneth Mike	Ramsey, Ira (Gene) E.
US Army b Aug. 15, 1948 d April 3, 2005 Watervliet MI Watervliet MI Age 56y, 7m, 20d Buried in Fairview Memorial Cemetery Watervliet MI In service 196_ to 19__ Lifetime resident of Hartford MI HHS Class of 1966 Son of Clarence and Betty (Wood) Pomeroy John loved sports and often umpired basketball games at Hartford, as well played or and umpired for the Coloma Softball league. John is the brother of Kenneth Mike Pomeroy HHS 1969, who also served during the Vietnam period.	US Navy Navy Radio Man RM2 - Radioman 2nd Class E-5 USS Kansas City AOR-3 b 12-7-1950 Watervliet MI Picture was taken in the Harbor of Singapore while on board the USS Kansas City AOR-3. In service 7-1969 to 12-1973 Served at: USS Kansas City AOR-3, USNAVCOMSTA GUAM, Boot Camp Great Lakes IL, Schools Bainbridge, MD and San Diego, CA Medals and Awards » National Defense Service Medal » Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars » Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars » Good Conduct Medal » Meritorious Unit Commendation From Hartford HHS Class of 1969 Son of Clarence and Betty (Wood) Pomeroy Ken "Mike" is the brother of John Pomeroy HHS 1966, who also served during the Vietnam period.	USMC Aviation Electronics Helicopter Machine Gunner - Sgt. and Staff Command Chaplain, USN Chaplain Corps. HMM-363, HMM-362 Republic S. Vietnam In service 1962 to 1967, 1981 - Lieutenant Jr. grade USN Chaplain Corps. Medals and Awards » Air Medal » Combat Aircrew Wings with 3 Gold Stars » Navy Commendation Medal » Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star » Combat Action Ribbon. HHS Class of 1962 From Hartford MI
Rhinehart, Donald US Army b d 3-12-1979 Hartford MI Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI Sec 5 Lot 79 Sp 1 In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1966 Died in house fire in 1979 in Hartford.	Rice, Scott Joseph Sr. US Navy b 9-27-1952 d 7-7-2007 Benton Harbor MI Hartford MI Age 54y, 9m, 10d In service 19__ to 19__ Son of Claude and Arys (Shockey) Rice Umpired at all levels from little league to high school for 30 years. Scott's brother, Terrance, also served in the US Navy during Vietnam.	Rice, Terrance Fream US Navy b 3-4-1948 d 11-4-2010 Grand Rapids MI Hartford MI Age 62y, 8m, 2d In service 19__ to 19__ Son of Claude and Arys (Shockey) Rice Formerly employed by Watervliet Paper Mill Blossom Trails Golf Club Scott Rice, brother of Terrance, also served in the US Navy during Vietnam.
Riley, Roger US Navy In Service 10-19-1970 to 5-6-1974 Served at NAS - Quonset Point, RI Ships Served on USS Manley DD940 - Destroyer Sierra AD18 - Destroyer Tender HHS Class of 1970 From Hartford MI 2005 - Resides in Bradley IL	Robinson, Michael L. US Army - Spec 4 b 9-13-1945 In service 1962 - 1965 Mike left school to enter the Army, however, he earned his GED. From Hartford MI
	Ross, Robert US Army - Sgt In service 1968 to 1971 HHS Class of 1966 From Hartford MI	Rush, Jerry Wayne US Army - National Guard In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1962
Saline, Gary Wayne US. Navy Seabees - EO3 b 6-28-1945 d 6-3-2002 Age 56y, 11m, 7d Creamated - ashes scattered in woods where Gary loved to hunt in Wala Hala, MI In service 7-26-1966 to 7-25-1972 Served in Great Lakes IL, Davisville RI, Coronado CA, Adak AK, From Keeler MI HHS Class of 1965 Married Melva Sanders Resided in Hartford MI Gary's son, Eric Saline, served in the US Air Force.	Sanders, James Vietnam In service 19__ to 19__ HHS Class of 1965 From Hartford MI	Schaus, Neil US Army - 1st Lieutenant 20th Engineering Battalion 4th Infantry Division Built-repaired roads and bridges. In service 1965 - 1968 From Hartford HHS Class of 1963 2004-update. Lives in Lawrence.
Schmalfeldt, Melvin H. US Navy Shipfitter Fireman Apprentice In service 19__ to 19__ Served aboard USS Long Beach Missile Cruiser Golf of Tonkin Helped to maintain positive identification radar advisory zone surveying all aircraft, both enemy and allied, that fly over the gulf and N. Vietnam from Hartford HHS Class of 1966 Son of Mr & Mrs Melvin H. Schmalfeldt	Schnake, Richard US Army Reserve 1LT-02 d 5-14-1969 In service 6-7-1968 to 5-14-1969 Killed in Action Hostile, ground casualty multiple fragmentation wounds From South Haven SHHS Class of 19__ Vietnam Memorial Wall Panel 24W - Line 99 Click here to visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall and do a search for Richard Schnake http://thewall-usa.com
Sefcik, Ronald G. US Navy - FTG1 Fire Control Technician Mark 56 Gun Fire Control Sys. USS Piedmont AD-17 USS Coral Sea CVA 43 Great Lakes IL, San Diego CA, Long Beach CA, San Francisco CA, Japan, Vietnam, Italy 4 years, 5 months, 27days of sea duty In service 4-3-1969 to 3-19-1975 Received Citation presented by the Commander of the Seventh Fleet in service aboard the USS Piedmont for outstanding performance of duty in combat and support operations in Southeast Asian waters during the period of 4 Sep 1970 to 8 Jan 1971 providing outstanding repair availabilities and technical support to Seventh Fleet units. In order to insure the overall operational readiness of these units, it was often necessary for the crew to work around the clock to accomplish needed repairs. From Bangor MI BHS Class of 1967 Resides in Hartford MI Son of George and Alice (Carlson) Sefcik. Ron's father, George Joseph Sefcik, served in the US Marine Corps during WW11. Married Emma Thornburg Sefcik, HHS 1966, History of Hartford webmaster.	Shelton, Dennis In service 19__ to 19__ HHS Class of 1961 From Hartford MI	Shindeldecker, Vere US Army Reserve Sgt In service 19__ to 19__ HHS Class of 1966 From Hartford MI
Shirley, Daniel Lee US Army - Sgt E-5 b 8-7-1948 Erie OK In service 19__ to 19__ HHS Class of 1966 From Hartford MI	Shirley, Ronald Calvin b 2-25-1946 d 4-2-1977 Benton Harbor MI Hartford MI Age 31y, 1m, 7d Buried in St. Joseph MI HHS Class of 1965 From Hartford MI	Simpson, Rick US Army - Sp4 b 7-3-1947 d 3-12-2008 Ypsilanti MI St Joseph MI Age 60y, 8m, 10d Buried at Maple Hill Cemetery Hartford MI In service 19__ to 19__ HHS Class of 1966 From Hartford MI Rick was employed with Heath Corporation and at Cook Nuclear Plant Son of Charles & Laura (Manley) Simpson
Smithley, James Lynn Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery Sec. 3 Lot 133 Hartford MI In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1964 Died in a car accident in 19__ while on active duty	Stanley, James David US Marines b 5-14-1946 11-25-2009 Norristown PA Hartford MI Age 63y, 6m, 14d Buried at Fort Custer National Cemetery Augusta MI Son of Walton and Mabel (Irvian) Stanley He was a truck driver for Robinson Trucking, as well as for other companies as a freelance driver. He was a member of VFW Buck Crosby Post 6 of Kalamazoo.	Stoddard, Gary Clinton
		US Army - AUS - IN SP4 b 6-29-1951 d 7-26-1975 s Age 24y, 28d In service 1970 - 1972 Awards » National Defense Serv. Medal » Good Conduct Medal » Expert M-16 From Decatur MI Graduate of Hartford High School Class of 1970 Gary is the son of Martin Stoddard, who served during WW11.
Stow, Marvin E.	Sutter JR, Richard J. US Army b 5-30-1960 d 11-24-2007 Watervliet MI Benton Harbor MI Ashes interred in Keeler Cemetery Keeler MI In service 19__ to 19__ Son of Richard and Urleen (Whitehead) Sutter Sr. Mechanic by trade.	Sweat, Dewey Reavis US Navy b 10-20-1948 d 4-6-2004 Ware Co. GA Waycross GA Buried in Zion Hill Cemetery Millwood, GA Lived in Hartford MI 1987 - 1994
US Army - Sp4 Clerical Administration 36th Medical Battalion 7th Army Headquarters b 10-11-1945 d 2-15-2010 Dyess, AR Lebanon MO Age 64y 4m 4d In service 1964-1967 Served in 36th Medical Battalion in Hanau, Germany 7th Army Headquarters - Germany Ft. Knox, KY Awards and Medals » Sharpshooter » Good Conduct Medal I was one of the HHS 1964 graduates that entered the service with a classmate on the buddy plan. His name was Tom (Daughterty) Barnes. We shared training in an airborne training unit at Ft. Knox KY. We both took our oaths 5 days after graduating from high school. From Hartford MI HHS Class of 1964 Resided in Hartford 1955-1964 Son of Samuel Lee and Myrta Gladys (Grigsby Stow Married to Nola Belle (Chambers) Stow Member of Harvest Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church Lebanon MO Retired from Lebanon Housing Authority Lebanon MO
Thomas, Larry Lee US Air Force b 8-24-1952 d 3-21-2009 Kalamazoo MI Kairos Dwelling Kalamazoo MI Age 56y, 6m, 28d Son of Edward & Wilma (Trumbla) Thomas Larry was a mason by trade, doing work on his own and also working for Ernie Daisy for a number of years.	Tibbs, Terry US Navy In service 196_ to 19__ HHS Class of 1966 From Hartford MI Terry's father, Ivan Tibbs Jr. served in the US Navy during WW11	Troutman, David Carder US Navy In service 19__ to 19__ From Hartford HHS Class of 1967
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