U.S. VETERANS' NATIONAL HALL OF HONOR

MY VIRTUAL WALL MEMORIALS

MEMORIALS THAT I HAVE WRITTEN FOR THE VIRTUAL WALL FOR ALL FRIENDS, AND MY OWN COUSIN WHO WERE KILLED IN VIETNAM.

Robert Arnold Mettert
Corporal
B CO, 1ST BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
14 December 1946 - 07 May 1967
Vancouver, Washington
Panel 19E Line 053

Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Robert Arnold Mettert

23 Jun 2001

The Mettert family and I were long-time friends, we grew up together. I first met the Mettert family in 1956 at MacArthur Elementary School in Vancouver, Wa. There were three brothers and one little sister, Mary Mettert. I went to school with the three brothers, Robert Arnold Mettert being the middle brother, first at MacArthur Elementary School (1956-58), then McLoughlin Junior High School (1961-64), and finally at Hudson's Bay High School (1964-67), all in Vancouver, Wa, where we lived and grew up together.

Robert Arnold Mettert was one of one of the finest young men a person would ever would have wanted to meet. Being well grounded in the Catholic church and coming from an all Marine Corps family, he had a firm foundation for "God and Country". Robert's dad, John Mettert Sr., served as a Marine infantryman for four years in the South Pacific during WWII, including on Guadalcanal. The oldest son, John Mettert Jr., served as a Marine infantryman in the Central Highlands of Vietnam for two tours and came back without a scratch.

CPL Robert A Mettert completed his first tour as a Marine infantryman in Vietnam and lived to come back and talk about it. Following in his family's footsteps he volunteered for a second tour, and was very tragically killed only seven days into his second tour. Younger brother Tom Mettert (my age) also served as a Marine, but was assigned to a radio battalion in DaNang, Vietnam.

Robert Arnold Mettert was an honest, hard working young man, whose loss has changed the face of Vancouver, Wa, forever. His loss was felt deeply by many people. Robert Arnold Mettert was a man of destiny. May he rest in Peace in the golden light of eternal Love from now and forever more!

Your good friend
Greg Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com

11 May 2004
Shell Fatal To Marine in Vietnam - The war in Vietnam has again been brought close to home, as the death of Marine Cpl. Robert Arnold Mettert of Vancouver was confirmed Wednesday night by the Defense Department. The corporal, son of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Mettert, 1208 Brandt Rd., was killed last Sunday in the vicinity of Khe Sanh, to become the 11th member of the armed forces with Clark County ties to die in Vietnam. Mrs. Mettert said she was first notified of her son's death Tuesday, but official confirmation did not come until the following evening. He was said to have died of chest wounds suffered from an exploding 81mm mortar shell. The 20-year-old Leatherneck had just arrived back in Vietnam for his second tour of duty. Mrs. Mettert said he had served 13 months there, before coming home on leave last March. He volunteered to go back and left here 21 Apr (1967) arriving in Vietnam just seven days before he met death. Mettert was born 14 Dec 1946 at New Castle IN. He was a 1965 graduate of Hudson's Bay High School and a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He had been a Columbian paper boy for about five years from 1959 to 1963. In addition to his parents and his brother at home, the corporal is survived by another brother, Thomas, and sisters, Mary Ann and Joan, all at home. Mrs. Mettert said the funeral arrangements will be made by the Vancouver Funeral Chapel when the body arrives from overseas with the services to be held at St. Joseph's Church. She also noted that though she appreciates the sentiment, she would prefer not to receive flowers at her home.
(The Columbian, Vancouver WA, 11 May 1967)
Funeral Due For Marine Killed In 2nd Viet Tour
Cpl. Robert Mettert of the U.S. Marines will be buried in Willamette National Cemetery with full honors Monday morning.
He could be taking it easy in a soft assignment Stateside, but he died instead, in battle near Khe Sanh, just below the DMZ in South Vietnam.
He was struck by an 81-mm mortar fragment in the chest. "We did everything we could to save him." one of his buddies wrote," but it was no use."
That was Sunday, 7 May (1967). Ten days later Mettert's body came home in a sealed coffin, marked "body unviewable."
The rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m.,Sunday at the Vancouver WA Funeral Chapel.
Corporal aged 20
Cpl. Mettert, son of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Mettert, 1208 Brandt Rd., Vancouver WA was 20. He had already served his 13 month tour in Vietnam. He would have automatically returned to a quiet stateside assignment for six months. But he volunteered to return to the thick of the fight near Khe Sanh. Why? To save some money he told his mother.
"He was determined to pay his own way through college," she recalls. But the truth came out when he talked to a class of seniors at Hudson's Bay High School, where he was a graduate with honors in June, 1965. "It may sound corny," he told his schoolmates last month, during his last home leave,"But I happen to love my country. We had to fight for our freedom, when we were getting started. Now we are a rich and powerful nation and I feel we have an obligation to help others fight for their freedom."
Fear Admitted
"Aren't you afraid?", the students asked.
"Sure I'm afraid whenever I go into action," he said. "Everyone is but you get so busy you don't think about yourself. You know you can get it any day," he told his teachers. "I've said goodbye to everyone."
That was his last day at home, 21 Apr (1967). He was back in Vietnam by April 30. His mother got a letter dated 3 May (1967) telling about some hot fighting for Hill 831 near Khe Sanh, but assured his mother he was back in the safety and comparative comfort of Camp Carroll, the main Marine artillery plateau.
He was in command of a squad and had been recommended for promotion to sergeant. Four days later he was dead, just seven days after starting his second tour of duty in Vietnam.
His brother, John, now at home, also volunteered to serve two sucessive tours of duty 19 months as a Marine Corporal in Vietnam. John was released from active duty 4 April, 1967.
Mr. and Mrs. Mettert have a son, Thomas A., and two daughters, Mary Ann and Joan Renee at home. Cpl. Mettert's survivors also include an aunt, Sister Antonetta, a nun at Dayton OH, and the grandmother, Mrs. Amanda Mettert of Newcastle IN.
Cpl. Mettert was a junior dealer for the Oregonian for five years before enlisting.
(Oregonian, Portland OR, 20 May 1967)
Courtesy of
Darilee Bednar
bookstorelady@prodigy.net
Faces from the Wall

A Note from The Virtual Wall
Corporal Mettert served with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, during his first tour of duty and is remembered on the 1/4 Marines site

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a good friend,
Gregory Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
23 Jun 2001

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 05/21/2004

Robert Lester Vaughan
Lance Corporal
M CO, 3RD BN, 1ST MARINES, 1ST MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
14 March 1949 - 27 December 1967
Ridgefield, Washington
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The database page for Robert Lester Vaughan

26 Jun 2001
I knew ROBERT LESTER VAUGHAN from McLoughlin Junior High School in 1962-63 at Vancouver, Wa. I had him in my home room class, P.E. class, Metal Shop class, Mechanical Drawing class, and General Math class. "Les" led sort of a sad life as an unwanted orphan for whom school was not easy. He was accused of sleeping under cars and staying over at different friend's houses, and was likewise labeled in school as the "Hood" or "Lugi". We had a math teacher, Mr. Lydon, who was especially cruel to Les. He'd hit him in the back of the head, compare him to the number "Zero", and term him a place holder. One day in Mechanical Drawing class he got caught throwing a "Pink Pearl Eraser" into a radio speaker. Or in Metal Shop he was caught making "Plastic Dice". He would spend a lot of time in P.E. climbing the big rope or playing on the trampoline all alone.
There was another side to Les that these people didn't see. A noble side, a real defender in the time of need. He saved me one time from being jumped by a kid twice my size in height, weight and athletic ability. Les ran across the street and drove that kid off by just glaring at him. Les then asked me, "Tell me if he ever bothers you again."
Now I have the opportunity to come to your defense, Les, that you, Lance Corporal ROBERT LESTER VAUGHAN, died a real man, a real "HERO" and not a "ZERO"! They'll never be able to fill your shoes for you laid down your life for your country, you died a UNITED STATES MARINE!!!!!!! So now rest in Peace, Les, and know that you did yor best for those people who were so cruel to you. Now rest in the golden light of eternal Love...
Your friend
Greg Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com

Visit the
3rd Battalion, 1st Marines

A Note from The Virtual Wall
Forty-eight Marines and sailors of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines,
died in Operation Badger Tooth, Christmas, 1967.
Twelve of them were from Mike 3/1.
Robert Vaughan was one of the twelve.
Ridgefield Marine Dies in Vietnam - A Ridgefield Marine, Lance Cpl. Robert "Les" Vaughan, 18, has become the 21st member of the armed forces with Clark County ties to die in the Vietnam war, it was learned today. Vaughan, the son of Mrs. Lela Brewster of 603 Main St., Ridgefield, was reported killed 27 Dec (1967) while on patrol at Quang Tri. Mrs. Brewster said she was notified of her son's death last Thursday, and that he was said to have died of gunshot wounds of the body. The young Marine attended Ridgefield High School before entering the Marines in October, 1966. He had been in Vietnam for three months at the time of his death, serving with M Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. Mrs. Brewster said her son will be buried in Willamette National Cemetery when the body is returned from Vietnam.
(The Columbian, Vancouver WA, 1 Jan 1968)
Cpl. Robert Vaughan Ridgefield WA (Special) - Lance Cpl. Robert Les Vaughan, 18, Ridgefield WA, was killed 27 Dec (1967) at Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He is the son of Mrs. Lela Brewster, of Ridgefield. Cpl. Vaughan was born 14 Mar 1949, in Emmet ID and joined the Marine Corps in October, 1966. He went to Vietnam last October. In addition to his mother, survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Sharon Lucas, Vancouver, and Mrs. Sharlene McCoy, Clear Lake CA; and five brothers, Larry, Vancouver, and Tom Vaughan, Gary Brewster, Mike Brewster, and Chris Brewster, all of Ridgefield. Funeral arrangements are pending at Vancouver Funeral Home. Burial will be in Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.
(The Oregonian, Portland OR, 4 Jan 1968)
Obituary text courtesy of
Darilee Bodnar
bookstorelady@facesfromthewall.com
Faces from the Wall

Robert Lester Vaughan,
Lance Corporal, US Marine Corps,
was buried on 08 Jan 1968 in
Section G, Site 279,
Willamette National Cemetery,
Portland, Oregon,
among other men of courage and integrity.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his real good friend,
Gregory Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
23 Jun 2001

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 05/28/2004

Prentis Barney Boykin, Jr
Private First Class
D CO (ANTITANK), 16TH ARMOR, 173 ABN BDE
Army of the United States
08 August 1947 - 04 March 1968
Vancouver, Washington
Panel 42E Line 061

The database page for Prentis Barney Boykin, Jr

23 June 2001
I grew up with Prentis Barney Boykin, Jr. I first met Prentis at the try out field of the Columbia (Vancouver, WA) Little League in 1962. He was the catcher and I was the pitcher. He had played for the Yankees and was about to be picked for the majors for OK Rubber Tires. I was younger than Prentis, so I had to stay with the minors, going from pitching for the Dodgers to pitching for the Yankees. PRENTIS had another good friend, Dale Anderson, who also played catcher. I also attended McLoughlin Junior High School (1962-63) and Hudson's Bay High School (1964-65) with Prentis.
The loss of Prentis Barney Boykin, Jr, was felt all over Vancouver, Washington. Now may he rest in Peace in the golden light of eternal Love, from now and forever more!
Your good friend,
Greg Payne
teetee199thlib@excite.com
Visit the
173rd Airborne Brigade

A Note from The Virtual Wall
D Company, 16th Armor Regiment, provided an airborne anti-tank capability to the 173rd Airborne Brigade with its M-56 self-propelled 90mm "Scorpion" guns. On 04 March 1968 the company lost eight men:
SP5 Gary D. Hall, Vernal, UT
SP5 Robert H. Walker, Spur, TX
SP4 Robert W. Abernathy, Rockville, MD
PFC Terrence W. Achor, Whittier, CA
PFC Prentis B. Boykin, Vancouver, WA
PFC Willie F. Foster, Anderson, SC
PFC William P. Mason, Horsham, PA (Medic from HHC, 173rd Abn Bde)
PVT Roberto P. Rios, San Angelo, TX

Army Pfc. Boykin is casualty
The death of Army Pfc. Prentis B. Boykin Jr., 20, as the result of wounds received in action while serving in Vietnam was reported today. According to an Army spokesman, the soldier died in Vietnam 4 Mar (1968) as the result of wounds suffered during a firefight with enemy forces. He was a member of Company D, 16th Armor, 173rd Airborne Division. Boykin was the eighth member of the armed forces with Clark County ties to die in the Vietnam War this year, while only one death had been reported at this same point in 1967. His was the 29th death of a county resident or former resident since the war began, nine more than during the Korean War. Boykin was graduated from Hudson's Bay High School in 1965 and entered the Army here 1 Nov (1966). He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Prentis B. Boykin Sr., 2913 E. Fourteenth Court.
The Columbian, Vancouver WA, 8 Mar 1968

From
Faces from the Wall

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his good friend,
Gregory Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
23 Jun 2001

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 05/21/2004

Robert Paul Degen
Private First Class
A CO, 2ND BN, 503RD INFANTRY, 173 ABN BDE
Army of the United States
13 December 1947 - 20 November 1967
Vancouver, Washington
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The database page for Robert Paul Degen
03 July 2001
I went to school with ROBERT PAUL DEGEN
in the 1960's in Vancouver, Wa. He was a fine person
with a great sense of humor, his loss was felt all
over Vancouver, WA, and probably will be for some time
yet. Now may he rest in Peace, in the golden light of
eternal love, from now and forever more.
Remembered by a friend,
Greg Payne
teetee199thlib@excite.com

Dell Coleman Odegard
Corporal
B CO, 1ST BN, 327TH INF RGT, 101 ABN DIV
Army of the United States
15 June 1948 - 30 January 1968
Vancouver, Washington
Panel 35E Line 078

The database page for Dell Coleman Odegard
25 Jun 2001
I went to Hudson's Bay High School in 1967 in Vancouver, WA, With DELL COLEMAN ODEGARD. He went by the nickname of "Coley". I had CWP - Contemporary World Problems - with Mrs. Richards, while Coley had it with a very controversial teacher at the time, a Mr. Kurrie. Mr Kurrie, because of a controversial flag he had hanging in the classroom and some rather controversial beliefs that he taught, was believed to be a Communist. Well you know then the kids were going to tease him. Coley had a good sense of humor, we'd ask Mr. Kurrie, "What's the film going to be on today, Mr. Kurrie? Mickey Mouse sees Red China!" DELL COLEMAN ODEGARD was a fine person, with a great sense of humor. His loss was felt all through Vancouver, Wa. Now may he rest in Peace, in the golden light of eternal Love from now and forever more!
Your Friend,
Greg Payne
teetee199thlib@excite.com

Daniel Loyd Poff
Sergeant
HQ COMPANY, 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION, USARV
Army of the United States
08 September 1947 - 23 February 1969
Vancouver, Washington
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The database page for Daniel Loyd Poff
25 Jun 2001
I was classmates with DANIEL LOYD POFF in the 1960's in Vancouver, WA. He was a very fine person, with a good sense of humor. His loss was felt very much in Vancouver. Now may he rest in Peace, in the golden light of eternal Love, from now and forever more!
Greg Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
30 May 2005

Daniel Guy Wessler
Private First Class
G CO, 2ND BN, 4TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
25 February 1950 - 19 March 1969
Vancouver, Washington
Panel 29W Line 086

The database page for Daniel Guy Wessler
26 Jun 2001
I first met DANIEL GUY WESSLER at the track field in 1962 at McLoughlin Junior High School in Vancouver Wa. He did events like pole vaulting, broad jump, 100 yd. dash high hurdles, and 50 yd. dash high hurdles. Myself I did shot put and sometimes the 50 yd. dash. I attended a P.E. class and a Mechanical Drawing class with Danny while at McLoughlin Junior High School from 1962 - 1964. From there I was with him at Hudson's Bay High School from 1965 -1967. There I had P.E. again with him, as well as on the high school year book " The Aquila", where he did the sports section and I did the art and advertising. He was also on the high school wrestling team, and ran track. From there he went into the Marine Corps on the buddy system with another good friend of mine, Ronnie Joshua. They went through Boot Camp, ITR, and Advanced Infantry then on to Vietnam together. DANIEL GUY WESSLER, was one of the finest people that you'd ever had wanted to meet. Ever since that day the old Irish song "Danny Boy" about their loved one that went to war so many centuries ago, and never came back. "O' Danny boy, I love you so" --- The loss of DANIEL GUY WESSLER was felt all over Vancouver, Wa, and will be felt for many more years yet. Now may he rest in Peace and in the golden light of eternal Love, from now and for evermore!
Your friend,
Greg Payne
Gregory Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
A Note from The Virtual Wall
On 19 March 1969 2nd Plt, Golf Company, 2/4 Marines, lost three men while providing flank security for the bulk of the company:
2ndLt Anthony A. Giretti, Baldwin, NY (Silver Star)
Pfc Ronnie L. Eckenroad, Beaver Falls, PA (Bronze Star)
Pfc Daniel G. Wessler, Vancouver, WA
Vancouver Marine is Viet victim - The Vietnam war has claimed the life of another Clark County serviceman. Marine officials said today, Killed in action was Pfc. Daniel G. Wessler. Wessler, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim R. Wessler of 2300 E. 18th St., was killed 19 Mar (1969) in Quang Tri Province while on patrol. Marine officials said that Wessler, a life-long resident of Vancouver, sustained fatal injuries about the head and body when an enemy mine exploded. Wessler, a member of G Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, joined the Marine Corps last July and had been in Vietnam for about two months. The latest casualty brought to 46 the number of local servicemen killed in Vietnam - 26 more than the local men who were killed in the Korean War. Funeral services will be held at the Vancouver Funeral Chapel following return of the body from Vietnam.
(The Columbian, Vancouver WA, 24 Mar 1969)
Obituary text courtesy of
Darilee Bodnar
bookstorelady@facesfromthewall.com
Faces from the Wall

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a good friend,
Gregory Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
26 Jun 2001

James Earl Bouyer
Private First Class
D CO, 4TH BN, 12TH INF RGT, 199 INF BDE
Army of the United States
11 January 1948 - 01 April 1969
Prattville, Alabama
Panel 28W Line 101

The database page for James Earl Bouyer
01 Jul 2001
PFC James Earl Bouyer was one of the first people I met as I entered into D Company 4th Battalion 12th Infantry 199th Light Infantry Brigade. PFC Bouyer was our Platoon R.T.O. (Radio Telephone Operator) - he carried the infantry PRC-25 Radio. It was given to him after CPL Larry Eugene Boyer was killed. PFC James Earl Bouyer was very pleasant, a good person to have been around and had a good sense of humor. He was innocently involved in a very tragic grenade accident that took his life and the lives of two other people. His loss was felt throughout our Company and by all his friends and family. Now may he rest in Peace in the golden light of eternal Love from now and for evermore.
Your friend and comrade in arms
Sp4 Greg Payne
teetee199thlib@excite.com
SGT Richard Allen Thursby and SP4 William DeBates
also died in the same grenade accident.
The men of the 199th Infantry Brigade (Light)
who died in Vietnam are remembered at
http://redcatcher10alpha.com/mini_wall/wallnames.htm

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a Squadmate,
Gregory Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
1 Jul 2001

Richard Allen Thursby
Staff Sergeant
D CO, 4TH BN, 12TH INF RGT, 199 INF BDE
Army of the United States
06 April 1946 - 01 April 1969
Bisbee, Arizona
Panel 28W Line 106

The database page for Richard Allen Thursby
01 Jul 2001
One of the first people I met when I entered into D Company 4th Battalion 12th Infantry 199th Light Infantry Brigade, in the northern parts of the MeKong Delta Region of Vietnam, was my new Squad leader for 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, SGT RICHARD ALLEN THURSBY. SGT Thursby was probably one of the most knowledgeable people I've ever had the opportunity to meet. SGT Thursby for the most part was a good survivalist, he taught us how you could actually see an incoming mortar round during a Viet Cong mortar attack. As soon as you heard the marking round go off in the tube, you got down and rolled over, looked up in the sky, and for just a split second, at it's arching point you could see a black spot up in the sky, then you could get a rough idea just where that mortar round would land. Anything after that arching point would become invisible to the naked eye as it descended.
He taught us how to walk in the mud that no western human being had words to describe. "Don't get your legs together," he'd tell us, "It will form a vacuum around your legs, and you'll never get out, the more you work to get lose the deeper you're gonna go. If your boots aren't tied right, it will also suck them off your feet, so be careful how you tie your boots." He showed us how you had to wrap the extra laces around the top of the boot then tie them in a square knot, this method would keep that extremely deep mud from pulling the boots right off your feet.
He taught us how to lean forward into the "chopper" wind, so as to not get blown over.
He was a pretty good thinker in time of an emergency, for one time he stepped flat footed on a tripwire on a booby-trapped rice paddie dyke. Realizing what had happened he froze and said, "Get off the trail and get down, I'm flatfooted on a tripwire and I'm apt to go 'Boom'. I'm not going to wait all day for this either, so I hope this M-60 machinegun ammo can will be heavy enough to hold this wire in place."
He slowly lowered the ammo can off his shoulder and very carefully, very gingerly set it down on the booby trap wire, then slowly and carefully lifted his foot up and off the tripwire. It worked, he saved his life that day. Then he had us take a ball of twine he had us carry and tie it onto the canvas strap of the ammo can, unravel the twine, get down behind the dyke and pull the string pulling the ammo can off the tripwire and blowing the booby trap in place.
Yes, SGT Richard Allen Thursby was one of the best Squad Leaders I've ever had the opportunity to meet. He was a very good person with an equally good sense of humor. Unfortunately, SGT Richard Allen Thursby and two other men were very tragically killed in a grenade accident.
May he now rest in peace in the golden light of eternal light and eternal Love, from now and for evermore.
Your friend and comrade in arms,
Sp4 Greg Payne
teetee199thlib@excite.com
A Note from The Virtual Wall
The other two men who died as a result of the grenade accident were SP4 William DeBates and PFC James Earl Bouyer.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a Squad member,
Gregory Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Ore 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
1 Jul 2001



William Arthur DeBates
Specialist Four
D CO, 4TH BN, 12TH INF RGT, 199 INF BDE
Army of the United States
01 September 1948 - 01 April 1969
Peoria, Illinois
Panel 28W Line 102

The database page for William Arthur DeBates
30 Jun 2001
WILLIAM ARTHUR DeBATES was one of the first persons I met upon entering D Company 4th Battalion 12th Infantry 199th Light Infantry Brigade, Vietnam. He was a fine person who came from a good family. William was innocently caught in a very tragic accident that took his life and the lives of two other people, a grenade accident on top of a bunker. May he now rest in peace in the golden light of eternal love, from now and forever more.
Your friend and comrade in arms,
SP4 Greg Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Ore 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com

SGT Richard Allen Thursby and PFC James Earl Bouyer
also died in the same grenade accident.
The men of the 199th Infantry Brigade (Light)
who died in Vietnam are remembered on the
199th LIB Wall


David Edward Kenney
Private First Class
D CO, 4TH BN, 12TH INF RGT, 199 INF BDE
Army of the United States
02 July 1947 - 11 June 1969
Woburn, Massachusetts
Panel 22W Line 020

The database page for David Edward Kenney
3 Jul 2001
PFC DAVID EDWARD KENNEY was another person I first met in D CO, 4TH BN, 12TH INF. A lot of action came while we were there together, but the biggest action was in June of 1969 when PFC David Kenney was killed in action by an NVA claymore mine. His loss was felt greatly through out our Company and by his friends and family. He was a very good person with a great sense of humor. His loss will always be felt. May he now rest in Peace in the golden light of eternal Love, from now and forever more.
Your friend and comrade in arms
Sp4 Greg Payne
teetee199thlib@excite.com

The men of the 199th Infantry Brigade (Light)
who died in Vietnam are remembered on the
199th LIB site

The point-of-contact for this memorial is
a comrade-in-arms,
Greg Payne
700 Veterans Drive, The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
3 Jul 2001



Claude Richard Van Andel
Sergeant
D CO, 4TH BN, 12TH INF RGT, 199 INF BDE
Army Of The United States
03 October 1949 - 27 May 1969
Norfolk, NE
Panel 23W Line 004

The database page for Claude Richard Van Andel
Another person I met when I first came into D Company was CLAUDE RICHARD VAN ANDEL. He was a very nice person, with a good sense of humor, whose life was very tragically ended by an NVA claymore mine at the begining of an ambush (firefight). His loss was greatly felt through out our Company, and with the rest of his friends and family. Now may he rest in Peace in golden light of eternal Love from now and forever more.
Your friend and comrade in arms
Sp4 Greg Payne
teetee199thlib@excite.com
The men of the 199th Infantry Brigade (Light)
who died in Vietnam are remembered at
http://redcatcher10.topcities.com/mimiwall/wallnames.htm

A memorial from his comrade in arms,
Gregory Payne
700 Veterans Drive The Dalles, Or 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com
1 Jul 2001

Top of Page

www.VirtualWall.org
Back to
To alpha index V
NE State Index . Panel 23W
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org
With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)

William Ross Bond
Brigadier General
COMMANDING GENERAL, 199TH INF BDE, AMERICAL DIV
Army of the United States
04 December 1918 - 01 April 1970
Relay, Maryland
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The database page for William Ross Bond
30 May 2005
General William Ross Bond came to Vietnam to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade after I had already left the 199th LIB and Vietnam. I would have been at Fort Hood, Texas at the time of his death. From what I understand of General Bond, however, he was no back seat General, he wanted to be right up there with the front line troops, and wanted all the front line information to be gathered and sent back to Headquarters himself. He was one brave and gallant man, according to the people I've talked to who actually knew him. I'm just picking up this site so he won't be forgotten, now others who actually knew him can add their memories to his Memorial site.
Gregory Payne
Oregon Veterans Home
700 Veterans Drive
The Dalles, Oregon 97058
teetee199libvietnam69@yahoo.com


David Wallace Baker
Sergeant
K CO, 3RD BN, 7TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV
United States Marine Corps
16 March 1951 - 18 September 1970
Ridgefield, Washington
Panel 07W Line 071

The database page for David Wallace Baker
20 Jun 2001
IN MEMORY OF DAVID WALLACE BAKER
To my cousin DAVID WALLACE BAKER, to a strong willed person, one who did not back down from a fight. Who stood up for the truth of which he believed in in his heart to be right at the time. A defender of the weak, with a strong background in God and Country.
For these reasons you joined the Marine Corps, the rough and tumble life fit you well. You answered the clarion call, and when sent to Vietnam, you did more than your duty; o'David you laid down your life for your country. Even though I write this soliloquy, for once you were a combat soldier, though you were scared you did not run, for once you were a combat soldier, for by God you were a Marine! Go o' David, go and take what you have fought so long and hard to get. Take hold of your eternal life, as the golden rays of the setting sun light up all eternity, go o' David, to rest in Peace in the golden light of eternal Love that shall be with you for now and forever more!
I LOVE YOU, DAVID.
Your cousin, Greg Payne
teetee199thlib@excite.com
02 December 2001

        Harley Hubert Hall
        Captain
         VF-143, CVW-14, USS ENTERPRISE
    United States Navy
            23 December 1937 - 29 February 1980
   Vancouver, Washington
   Panel 01W Line 112

The database page for Harley Hubert Hall

12 Apr 2006

In Memory of Harvey Hall
You Are Not Forgotten

As a native Vancouverite and Vietnam Veteran who lived in your neighborhood not far from your house in west Vancouver, Washington 98663. I pay tribute to my home town POW/MIA, on the behalf of the The Vietnam Veterans of America for Vancouver, Washington, Chapter 512. We Salute You, Sir!

Gregory Payne
Oregon Veterans Home
700 Veterans Drive
The Dalles, OR 97058
teetee199thlib@excite.com

ROBERT A METTERT

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MY VIRTUAL WALL MEMORIALS

Robert Arnold Mettert

Funeral Due For Marine Killed In 2nd Viet Tour

Corporal aged 20

Fear Admitted

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Robert Lester Vaughan

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Prentis Barney Boykin, Jr

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Army Pfc. Boykin is casualty

Robert Paul Degen

Dell Coleman Odegard

Daniel Loyd Poff

Daniel Guy Wessler

A Note from The Virtual Wall

James Earl Bouyer

Richard Allen Thursby

A Note from The Virtual Wall

William Arthur DeBates

David Edward Kenney

Claude Richard Van Andel

William Ross Bond

David Wallace Baker

Harley Hubert Hall

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