The VVA Veteran

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

December 2002 FROM NATIONAL CHAPLAIN
Taps
BY FATHER PHILIP SALOIS, M.S.

James "Furball'' Furlong died September 11. Furlong served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was a Life Member and Treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of America-Central Pennsylvania Chapter 791 in Lewistown.

Stephen J. McCardle, 54, died June 28 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, from cancer. McCardle served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 with Company C, First Battalion, 58th Infantry of the 197th Light Infantry Brigade. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Liberty Bell Chapter 266 in Philadelphia.

Bernard Odom, 55, died August 25 in Kearneyville, West Virginia. Odom was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cumberland Chapter 172 in Maryland.

John Thomas Ramsey, 50, died December 1, 2001, in Trenton, Florida. Ramsey served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division in the Vietnam War from 1968-69 on Hamburger Hill. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cape Coral Chapter 594.

David L. Slayton, 59, died September 9 in Evanston, Illinois. Slayton served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Des Plaines Chapter 311 and served many years as liaison to the Vietnamese community in the Chicago area.

Richard Alan Ward, 52, died August 11 in Cresaptown, Maryland, from cancer. Ward served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cumberland Chapter 172.

William Henry Brundige II died July 11 in Ware, Massachusetts. He was born February 23, 1952. Brundige served in the U.S. Army from 1969-71. He was a Vietnam-era veteran. He was also a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Quabbin Valley Chapter 405 in Ware.

John Caramadre died August 16 in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He was born August 24, 1921. Caramadre was a veteran and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Huntingdon Chapter 679 and AVVA.

Debbie Carlson, 26, died August 15 in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, of cancer. She was born September 17, 1975. Carlson was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-St. Mary's Chapter 720.

Kerry Brooke Davis, 50, died October 19 in Princeton, West Virginia. Davis served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Princeton Chapter 628.

Ronald L. Empfield, 57, died October 23 in Riverton, Illinois, of mesothelioma (lung cancer from asbestos). Empfield served in the U.S. Navy for six years with service in Vietnam. He was a life member and a charter member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Springfield Chapter 534 and also served on its board of directors.

Carol Jean Cox Gautreau died October 23 in Gonzales, Louisiana, of cancer. She was born October 25, 1941. Gautreau was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Prairieville Chapter 725.

Wayne A. Goodwin died September 15 in Kansas City, Missouri, of a heart attack. He was born June 28, 1951. Goodwin served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Kansas City Chapter 317.

David J. Hart died in September in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Johnstown Chapter 364.

John C. Haskell, 60, died September 8 in Topeka, Kansas. Haskell was career military serving in the U.S. Army from January 1961-84, retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3. He also served in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Leavenworth Chapter 75.

William H. Hollyfield died recently in Salisbury Township, Pennsylvania. He was born November 17, 1930. Hollyfield served 25 years in the U.S. Army with service both in the Korea and Vietnam wars. He retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class in 1972. He was a member of Rolling Thunder and a life member in Vietnam Veterans of America-Cedar Grove Chapter 510.

George D. Humeston, born June 7, 1947, died recently in Plains, Montana. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Paradise Chapter 871.

Neal Kantor died recently in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. He was born December 22, 1947. Kantor served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was also a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cedar Grove Chapter 510.

Frederick Ernest Kresal, Sr., died on October 25. He was born July 27, 1941. Kresal entered the U.S. Army in Manitowoc in June 1959, serving in Europe and two tours in Vietnam. He was a life member, past president, secretary, and treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of America-Frederick Chapter 304.

William J. Lucas died March 6 in Middletown, Maryland, of lung cancer. He was born July 16, 1946. Lucas served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam as a Sergeant in the Air Wing in Chu Lai from December 1966 to January 1968. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Frederick Chapter 304.

John H. McMahon, 65, died November 2, 2001, in Rock Island, Illinois, of cancer. McMahon served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea and in the U.S. Army in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Rock Island Chapter 299.

Larry Mullins died recently in Taylor, Michigan. He was born February 5, 1948. Mullins was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Taylor Chapter 259.

Gary T. Murphy died August 26 in Glens Falls, New York, of a heart attack. He was born August 20, 1947. Murphy served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He was an active member and past president of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lake George Chapter 79.

Walter Orton died recently in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born July 2, 1953. Orton was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-North Little Rock Chapter 184.

Francisco Armando Picon died recently in Mastic, New York . He was born November 17, 1948. Picon served in the U.S. Army from 1965-68 and served one year and two days in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mobley (Missouri) Chapter 70.

James G. Randolph, Jr., died recently in Philadelphia. He was born August 11, 1913. He was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Liberty Bell Chapter 266.

David L. Roberts died July 22 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He was born August 28, 1946. Roberts served in the U.S. Army from 1965-68, with service in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Northfield Chapter 881.

Kenneth Sentz died January 17 in Baltimore. He was born December 17, 1949. Sentz was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Baltimore Chapter 451.

Alfred Souza, Jr., died September 13 in Johnston, Rhode Island, of complications from acute diabetes. He was born May 31, 1946. Souza served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Vietnam War. He was a member, past president, and treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of America-Providence Chapter 273. He was also a former treasurer for the VVA Rhode Island State Council.

Jimmy L. Stewart died May 20 in Highlands, North Carolina. He was born July 8, 1947. Stewart was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-North Carolina.

Alexander Switalski died November 22, 2001, in South Ozone Park, New York, of a heart attack. He was born June 22, 1947. He served in the U.S. Army from May 1967-68, with service in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Glendale Chapter 32.

Charles Verro died recently in Naples, Florida. Verro was born October 26, 1950. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Naples Chapter 706.

Robert J. Vigo, died August 16 in Caledonia, Wisconsin, as a result of an accident. He was born May 30, 1954. Vigo served in the U.S. Army in the post-Vietnam era. He was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Milwaukee Chapter 324.

George Woodruff died in August in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He was born April 26, 1935. Woodruff was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Huntingdon Chapter 679.

Ulysses Steven Adolph II died June 15 in Hamburg, New York, of cancer. He was born July 15, 1942. Adolph served in the U.S. Army with service in Vietnam from 1968-71. He retired from Special Forces Reserves at the rank of colonel. He was a life member and founding member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Dearborn Chapter 267.

Julius P. Arocha died July 7 in Mission Viejo, California, of liver cancer. He was born June 22, 1932. Arocha served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was also an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-California.

Paul Bailey died November 22 in Kennewick, Washington, of a massive heart attack. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Kennewick Chapter 335 and served as the chapter treasurer and Washington State Council Secretary.

James E. Byrd died November 11 in Topeka, Kansas, of a massive heart attack. He was born March 1, 1948. Byrd served in the U.S. Army from 1968-72, with service in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Topeka Chapter 604 and was also the Kansas State Council Treasurer.

Ted Cochran committed suicide July 5 in San Francisco after a long bout with depression. He was born May 20, 1940. Cochran served as captain in the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam as a rescue helicopter commander in the HH-43 Huskies based in Saigon. He performed 192 combat rescue missions as well as 42 saves of allied soldiers. He was awarded one of the Air Force's highest honors, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. Cochran became a licensed pilot at the age of 18. Cochran was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Corte Madera Chapter 547.

Benjamin J. Crescini died January 14, 2001, in Leesville, Louisiana, of cancer. He was born on September 9, 1926. Crescini served in the U.S. Army with service in Vietnam from 1970-71. He was a life member with Vietnam Veterans of America-Lake Charles Chapter 215.

Herbert Weldon Head III died March 4 in Vienna, Virginia, of cancer. He was born June 9, 1941. Head served in the U.S. Army in the Signal Corps in Vietnam. His Army career included: Executive Officer with the 313th Signal Company in Ingrandes, France; Communications Officer, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division and 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in Vietnam. He retired after 26 years of service at the rank of colonel. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Arlington Chapter 227.

John W. Heinke died October 14 in Milwaukee. He was was born January 14, 1922. Heinke served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, retiring in 1969. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Fort Atkinson Chapter 409.

Lawrence E. Holmes, Sr., died November 6 in Jackson Township, Ohio, of cancer. He was born July 8, 1952. Holmes served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Southern Summit Chapter 717 in Akron, Ohio.

Walter Venston Littleton died March 21 in Greenville, North Carolina, of COPD. Littleton was born January 16, 1930. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Greenville Chapter 272.

Clarence Andrew Mabe died November 1 in Richlands, Virginia. Mabe was born December 10, 1939. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Princeton (West Virginia) Chapter 628.

Jonathan Naff died October 29 in Snohomish, Washington, of a heart attack. He was born September 9, 1945. Naff served in the U.S. Marine Corps, Second Battalion, 4th Marines, in Vietnam from 1966-1967. He was wounded in action and received the Purple Heart. Naff was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Sno-King Chapter 423 in Edmonds, Washington. He was a chapter delegate to the Washington State Council and served on its Board of Directors. As a member of the chapter's honor/color guard, he participated in nearly 500 military funerals.

Steven Craig Ollerton died March 23 in Lakeside, California, of pulmonary thromboemboli due to deep leg vein thrombosis. Ollerton was born on January 2, 1949. Ollerton served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1969-70 He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-San Diego Chapter 472.

John William Parrot died October 29 in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee. He was born May 23, 1949. Parrot served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Chattanooga Chapter 203.

Fredrick Steven Poweziak died April 20 in Mohave Valley, Arizona, of acute myocardial infarction. He was born November 29, 1945. Poweziak served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964-66, where he served with the First Battalion, 9th Marines, The Walking Dead, in Vietnam. He reenlisted in 1968. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Blue Island Chapter 153 in Illinois.

Larry L. Vossler, 57, died recently in Hopkins, Minnesota. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Vossler was a member and president of Vietnam Veterans of America-Hopkins Chapter 62.

Jerry Washington died recently in Jacksonsville, Florida, due to a staph infection suffered after a boating accident. Washington served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam as a captain with the SOG in 1970. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Nashville Chapter 46 and served as the chapter treasurer.

Mary Williams-Elliott died October 2, 2001, in Glenolden, Pennsylvania, of liver cancer. She was born August 29, 1928. She enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949 and served in the 359th Infantry Women's Army Corps. After Officer Training School in 1956, as 2nd Lieutenant, she took on the responsibilities of payroll officer, graves registration officer, funeral details, drivers training, and acting financial officer. She was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-State of New Jersey.

Michael E. Williams died January 21 in Milford, Connecticut. He was born June 25, 1944. Williams served in the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-West Haven Chapter 647.

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