The VVA Veteran

The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress

September/October 2005 FROM THE NATIONAL CHAPLAIN
Taps
BY REV.PHIL SALOIS, M.S.

Wescott B. Adams died July 30 in California. He was born September 8, 1918. Adams served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1953-72 during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Sonora Chapter 391.

Patrick M. Barber died March 9 in Ellensburg, Washington. He was born February 28, 1944. Barber was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Washington.

Donald Franklin Baughn died April 3 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, of a heart attack. He was born August 8, 1925. Baughn served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tulsa Chapter 524.

David R. Benson, Sr., died June 27 in Wilmington, Delaware. He was born February 6, 1944. Benson was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Wilmington Chapter 83.

Joseph R. Beyrle died April 23 in Norton Shores, Michigan. He was born February 16, 1922. Beyrle served in the U.S. Army, with a tour in Vietnam from 1967-68. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Muskegon Chapter 31.

Eugene Bryant died October 18, 2002, in Blandon, Pennsylvania. He was born February 10, 1955. Bryant served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Reading Chapter 131.

Raymond D. Bunnell died June 11 in Hinesville, Georgia. He was born December 21, 1927. Bunnell served in the U.S. Army with a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1969-70, retiring after 23 years of service. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Hinesville Chapter 789.

Wayne Calbert died May 9 in Marion, Ohio, of lung cancer. He was born July 24, 1940. Calbert served in the U.S. Army from 1965-67, with a tour of duty in Vietnam with the First Cavalry Division. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Marion Chapter 822.

Wayne C. Carson died June 2 in Remsen, New York. He was born December 17, 1946. Carson served in the U.S. Army from 1966-69, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Rome Chapter 708.

Robert V. Carton, Jr., died April 16 in Sacramento, California, of a heart attack. He was born June 11, 1939. Carton served in the U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant from 1962-67 during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Grass Valley Chapter 535.

James D. Cecil died in Clinton, Iowa, of Agent Orange-related disease. Cecil was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Iowa.

Curt A. Coleman died July 12 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, of a stroke. He was born April 29, 1951, in Bristol, Virginia. Coleman served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Chattanooga Chapter 203.

Timothy F. Collins died June 6 in Marcellus, New York. He was born September 6, 1946. Collins served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967-69. He also served in the Persian Gulf War as the Ground Liaison Officer for the 174th Infantry. Among his many awards is the Bronze Star with “V” Device. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Liverpool Chapter 103.

William John Cooper died on November 22, 2004, in Newton, New Jersey. Cooper was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Stanhope Chapter 327.

Lloyd Earl Crathers died March 25 in Lawton, Oklahoma, of a heart attack. He was born September 17, 1939. Crathers served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967-68. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lawton Chapter 751.

Dale Edward “Tash” Crull died December 2, 2004, in Hobart, Indiana. He was born October 4, 1939. Crull served in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Merrillville Chapter 285. He served as the chapter vice-president and was named Veteran of the Year in the State of Indiana.

Danny Andrews Culbertson died February 10 in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. He was born on July 16, 1948. Culbertson served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967-70, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Myrtle Beach Chapter 925.

Walter Lee Daffron III died May 6 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was born October 29, 1946. Daffron served in the Missouri Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-St. Joseph Chapter 638.

Gary L. Davis died June 10 in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was born March 2, 1946. Davis was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Silver Spring Chapter 641.

Richard T. Dedham, Jr., died July 10 in Forked River, New Jersey, of a massive heart attack. He was born September 22, 1936, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Dedham served in the U.S. Army with three tours of duty in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lanoka Harbor Chapter 855.

Jerry Arnold Dement died April 19 in Athens, Alabama, of cancer. He was born January 26, 1936. Dement served in the Alabama Army National Guard. He was a member and past treasurer of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Athens Chapter 511.

Joseph P. Dent died March 17 in Oxnard, California. Dent was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Oxnard Chapter 400.

Roy Denzin died recently in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Denzin was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Milwaukee Chapter 324.

Thomas B. Donmoyer died May 1 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He was born on July 11, 1939. Donmoyer served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Korea during the Vietnam era. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Harrisburg Chapter 542.

John E. Douglas died recently in Wake Village, Texas. He was born November 19, 1939. Douglas served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956-64 with service in the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Texarkana Chapter 278.

George C. Duggins died August 1, 2005, in Chesapeake, of Agent Orange-related non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was born October 1, 1943, in Norfolk, Virginia. Duggins served in the U.S. Army from 1965-69 with two tours of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Security Agency. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tidewater (Virginia Beach) Chapter 48. He held many offices in VVA and was the first African-American to serve as president.

Allen E. Dulaney died April 21 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, of a blood clot. He was born March 17, 1950. Dulaney served in the U.S. Army with a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1970. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lawton Chapter 751.

David G. Dzikowski died June 6 in Sauté Nacoche, Georgia. Dzikowski was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Santa Rosa Chapter 223.

John G. “Smokey” Ellis died June 20 in Point Lookout, Missouri, of a heart attack. He was born May 18, 1938. Ellis served in the U.S. Army from 1963-67 with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member, the charter vice-president, and the homeless advocate of Vietnam Veterans of America-Galena Chapter 913.

Gregory L. Esslair died March 12 in Tustin, California. He was born June 15, 1950. Esslair served in the U.S. Army from 1969-71 with service in the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Huntington Beach Chapter 785.

Ron L. Fairchild died March 8 in Hastings, Nebraska. He was born December 10, 1948. Fairchild was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lincoln Chapter 727.

George W. Field died December 29, 2004, in Baltimore. He was born February 8, 1945. Field served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Maryland.

Roger D. Fortier died April 13 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, of cirrhosis of the liver. He was born September 8, 1941. Fortier served in the U.S. Army during
the Vietnam War. He was a life member
of Vietnam Veterans of America-James Michael Ray Memorial (Albion) Chapter 818.

John Frank, Jr., died recently in Swansea, Massachusetts. He was born May 7, 1948. Frank was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Westport Chapter 207.

William P. Fry, Sr., died April 4 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Fry served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Pottstown Chapter 565.

Jerome S. Gallenberg died January 25 in Junction City, Wisconsin, of a heart attack. He was born January 20, 1945. Gallenberg served in the U.S. Army from 1964-66 with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Plover Chapter 115.

Scott Garland died January 10, 2002, in Union, South Carolina. He was born January 14, 1931. Garland was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lockhart Chapter 644.

George Dale Garoutte died May 4 in Anchorage, Alaska, of brain cancer. He was born August 8, 1948. Garoutte served in the U.S. Army with a tour in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Anchorage Chapter 904.

Charles Duane Goben died February 14 in Lima, Ohio, of cancer. He was born April 24, 1950. Goben served in the U.S. Army from 1970-72 and was a Vietnam-era veteran. He was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lima Chapter 732.

Donald D. Gochanour died March 5 in Racine, Wisconsin. Gochanour was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Des Moines Chapter 490.

Anthony N. Goldman died recently in Mocksville, North Carolina. He was born August 8, 1938. Goldman was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Asheboro Chapter 782.

Louie Gonzalez died May 3 in El Paso, Texas, of Agent Orange-related cancer. He was born July 22, 1947. Gonzalez served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1968-69. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-El Paso Chapter 574.

Jay R. Hacker died May 8 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was born September 17, 1949. Hacker served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cheyenne Chapter 849.

Jack C. Halligan died April 18 in Edgewater, Florida, of cancer. He was born March 27, 1944. Halligan served
in the U.S. Navy from August 8, 1963, to December 22, 1967, with service in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Edgewater Chapter 916.

Paul Otis Haner died June 6 in Gallipolis, Ohio, of Agent Orange-related diabetes. He was born November 26, 1946. Haner served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam with the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Gallipolis Chapter 709.

James Hannem died recently in Everett, Washington. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Edmonds Chapter 423.

Joseph M. Harney died June 6 in Leonardo, Middletown, New Jersey. Harney served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Allenhurst Chapter 12.

Walter L. Harper died May 19 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Harper was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-St. Joseph Chapter 638.

Don Howard Helms, Sr., died August 12, 2003, in Houston, Texas, of a heart attack complicated with diabetes. He was born January 18, 1945. Helms served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1967-73, with a tour of duty in Vietnam, 1968-69. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Morehead City (North Carolina) Chapter 749.

John Henley died in February 2000 in Disney, Oklahoma, of cancer. He was born April 1, 1947. Henley was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tulsa Chapter 216.

Charles F. Hickmott, Jr., died January 5 in Owosso, Michigan. He was born April 1, 1946. Hickmott was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Michigan.

Lawrence Randall Hilliard died April 4 in Spring Hill, Florida, of cerebrovascular disease. He was born November 28, 1940. Hilliard served in the U.S. Army from 1963-69 as an Army Ranger with service in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Morehead City (North Carolina) Chapter 749.

Kenneth H. Holmann died recently in Rutland, Vermont. Holmann was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Rutland Chapter 1.

James R. Homan died July 4, 2000, in Shannon, Mississippi. Homan was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mississippi.

Julian Ken Horne died April 2 in Forsyth, Georgia. He was born April 15, 1943. Horne served in the U.S. Air Force from 1961-82, including service during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Forsyth Chapter 946.

John Howe died March 30 in Albany, New York. He was born December 9, 1946. Howe served in the U.S. Army and was a decorated Vietnam veteran. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Green Island (New York) Chapter 8.

Charles W. Hudler died April 26, 2005, in Bel Air, Maryland, of a massive heart attack. Hudler was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Bel Air Chapter 588.

Walter John “Jack” Jenkinson died April 28 in Hinesville, Georgia, of cancer. He was born June 19, 1926. Jenkinson served 30 years in the U.S. Army and retired at the rank of Command Sergeant Major (E-9). He served during World War II, Korea, and also served in Vietnam from 1969-70. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the Legion of Merit. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Hinesville Chapter 789.

Odell M. Johnson died April 28 in Lawton, Oklahoma, of esophageal cancer. He was born July 21, 1932. Johnson served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and retired at the rank of Major. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lawton Chapter 751.

Ralph J. Jolly died in May in Columbus, Mississippi. He was born July 29, 1947. Jolly was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Verona Chapter 842.

Donald Eugene Jones died September 24, 2000, in Gallipolis, Ohio, of cancer. He was born September 12, 1942. Jones served in the U.S. Army from 1960-63 with a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1962-63. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Gallipolis Chapter 709.

Walter Kashtan died December 27, 2004, in Largo, Florida. He was born October 31, 1949. Kashtan was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Indian Rock Beach Chapter 522.

Michael David Kennedy died May 24 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was born September 11, 1959. Kennedy served in the Mississippi National Guard in 1977, in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1979-1983, and in the U.S. Navy from 1985-92. He served two tours in the Persian Gulf War with special Boat Group 12. His awards include the Bronze Star, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. He was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tupelo Chapter 842

Edgar E. King died in January in Ingram, Texas. He was born January 18, 1947. King was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Kerrville Chapter 863.

Bruce Kurth died in 2003 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kurth was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Milwaukee Chapter 324.

Edward Kuwatch died February 26 in Willits, California, of frontal temporal dementia. He was born March 9, 1947. Kuwatch served in the U.S. Navy as a radio communications operator in the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-California.

Michael William Lawton died February 4, in Saint Albans, Vermont, of cardiovascular disease. He was born August 6, 1951. Lawton served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Joseph Strauss during the Vietnam era. He was a member and past president of Vietnam Veterans of America-St. Albans Chapter 753.

Levert A. Lewis died in March in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He was born December 18, 1948. Lewis was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Sheffield Chapter 742.

John F. Mackey died recently in Wilton Manors, Florida. Mackey was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Florida.

Maggie Mackey died August 12 in Orange County, California, of cystic fibrosis. She was born August 22, 1988. Mackey was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Riverside Chapter.

Roger Main died in June 2003 in Cochran, Georgia. Main was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Athol (Massachusetts) Chapter 340.

Steve Mason died May 25 in Ashland, Oregon, of Agent Orange-related lung cancer. He was born February 29, 1940. Mason served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam with the Special Forces at the rank of Captain. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Muskegon Heights (Michigan) Chapter 31.

Lawrence McAuliffe died January 6, 2001, in Bellows Falls, Vermont, of Agent Orange-related cancer. He was born January 11, 1946. McAuliffe was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Vermont.

Tim McCarthy died recently in Lakeside, Montana. McCarthy was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Rutland (Vermont) Chapter 1.

Dewey E. McCarty died recently in Hancock, Maryland. He was born April 17, 1934. McCarty served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division assigned to the 325 Air, 501st Infantry. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cumberland Chapter 172.

Randal Lee McIntosh, Sr., died January 31 in Eastgate, Ohio. He was born February 20, 1952. McIntosh served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Batavia Chapter 649.

Ernest L. McMinn died recently in Chillicothe, Ohio. McMinn was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Chillicothe Chapter 281.

Carter H. Miller, Jr., died recently in Alpena, Michigan. He was born August 1, 1925. Miller served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1945-64 and was a Vietnam-era veteran. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Alpena Chapter 583.

Anthony L. Mims died January 2, 2004, in Athens, Alabama. He was a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. Mims was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Athens Chapter 511.

Frank E. Moffett died May 5 in Wissinoming, Pennsylvania, of heart failure. He was born January 28, 1949. Moffett served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Vietnam War from 1967-68 with the 1st Battalion Force Recon. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Liberty Bell (Philadelphia) Chapter 266.

Thomas Francis Mongelluzzi died July 26 in Albany, New York, of cancer. He was born March 21, 1947. Mongelluzzi served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967-69 as an Infantry 1st Lieutenant Platoon Leader. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Bennington Chapter 601.

Richard L. Moorman died February 7, 2001, in Xenia, Ohio. He was born December 19, 1946. Moorman was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Dayton Chapter 97.

Ronald Marvin Morgan died February 20 in Sussex Borough, New Jersey, following a motor vehicle accident. He was born November 13, 1951. Morgan served in the U.S. Army with a tour in Vietnam from 1970-71. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Stanhope Chapter 327.

Stephan Jon Morris died January 3 in Newport, Oregon, of colon cancer. He was born March 1, 1947. Morris served in the U.S. Air Force as an Airborne Intelligence Specialist Airman from 1966-70 with service in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Newport Chapter 411.

Charles W. Myers died July 9 in Philadelphia. Myers was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Philadelphia Chapter 590.

George Neal died in April in Polk City, Florida. Neal was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Phoenix (Polk City) Chapter 726.

John W. Nelson died June 26, 2004, in Rochester, Minnesota, of brain cancer. He was born January 8, 1938. Nelson served in the U.S. Air Force from 1962-66 with the Strategic Air Command Elite Grand Security Unit. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Minnesota.

Henry David Neville died recently in Manistique, Michigan. He was born December 13, 1939. Neville served in the U.S. Navy from 1961-67 with service in Vietnam. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Michigan.

Cheryl Merlene “Nikki” Nicol died April 19 in Gig Harbor, Oregon, of pneumonia, sepsis, pancreatitis and COPD. She was born April 15, 1950. Nicol served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. In Vietnam, she was assigned to the 8th Evacuation Hospital. She was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Washington and also a longtime member of VVA’s Election Committee.

Tom W. Niemuth died June 24 in Schofield, Wisconsin, in an automobile accident. He was born December 17, 1940. Niemuth served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Wausau Chapter 479.

Garry Richard Noonan, aka Michael Richard Terry, died May 10 in Seattle, Washington. He was born October 26, 1935. Noonan served in the U.S. Army during the Korean and the Vietnam Wars. During the Korean War, he was nominated for the Medal of Honor, and received the Silver Star, five Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, Soldier’s Medal, and Air Medals. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Corte Madera Chapter 547.

James M. Ochoa, Sr., died March 15 in Hinesville, Georgia. He was born April 7, 1948. Ochoa served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and retired after 22 years of service at the rank of Sergeant Major. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Hinesville Chapter 789.

Richard L. Odessky died June 18 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was born September 18, 1947. Odessky was a veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserves for more than 27 years with service in the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tidewater (Virginia Beach) Chapter 48.

William J. Ohlson died April 1, 2004, in Bloomfield, New Jersey. He was born August 12, 1950. Ohlson served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968-72 with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Pompton Lakes Chapter 802.

The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ® An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress

The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress