Remembering our fellow
students & neighbors from the Sunland - Tujunga area who lost their lives in Vietnam.
It has been said
that a picture is worth a thousand words
We, The VHHS
Alumni, Honor the COURAGE, SACRIFICE, and DEVOTION to Duty
and Country of Our Vietnam Veterans. You Will Forever Live in Our Memory and Our Hearts.
A Dedication From Major Dave Robertson
U. S. Army (Retired) and VHHS Graduate Class of 1968. This Dedication is Made For
Memorial Day, 2000.
Best wishes to you all for Memorial
Day. Thought I'd enclose the lyrics
to a favorite song of mine - especially this time of year. Words and
music by Jimmy Fortune, performed by the Statler Brothers. (Sean, perhaps there's
room on the dedication page for it?)
More Than A Name On A Wall
I saw her from a distance,
as she walked up to The Wall.
In her hand she held some flowers,
as her tears began to fall.
She took out pen and paper,
as to trace her memories.
She looked up to heaven,
and the words she said were these.
She said Lord my boy was special,
and he meant so much to me.
And thought I'd love to see him
just one more time, you see,
All I have are the memories
and the moments to recall.
So Lord could you tell him,
he's more than a name on a wall.
She said he really missed the family
and being home on Christmas day.
And he died for God and country
in a place so far away.
I remember just a little boy,
playing war since he was three.
But this time I know Lord,
he's not coming home to me.
She said Lord my boy was special,
and he meant so much to me.
And though I'd love to see him,
I know that just can't be.
So I thank You for the memories
and the moments to recall.
And Lord won't you tell him,
he's more than a name on a wall.
And Lord won't you tell him,
he's more than a name on a wall.
Peace,
Dave
From
Tujunga
JACK DENNIS DOWNS
PFC - E3 - Army - Selective
Service
1st Cav Division (AMBL)
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Nov 08, 1947
From TUJUNGA, CALIFORNIA
His tour of duty began on Oct 08, 1967
Casualty was on Apr 06, 1968
in QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 48E - - Line 25
FRED B.
BECKERMANN JR.
LCPL - E3 - Marine Corps -
Regular
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 16, 1946
From TUJUNGA, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 2 years.
Casualty was on Jul 03, 1966
in QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 08E - - Line 122
MANUEL MIRANDA
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
1st Cav Division (AMBL)
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 18, 1949
From TUJUNGA, CALIFORNIA
His tour of duty began on Jul 13, 1970
Casualty was on Jun 14, 1971
in LONG KHANH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 03W - - Line 76
JERRY RAY MURPHY
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Oct 21, 1945
From TUJUNGA, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Jan 28, 1966
Casualty was on May 04, 1966
SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, HELICOPTER - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 07E - - Line 27
MICHAEL DAVID
SHEAHAN
PFC - E3 - Army - Regular
9th Infantry Division
18 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 03, 1949
From TUJUNGA, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Jul 17, 1967
Casualty was on Feb 25, 1968
in DINH TUONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 41E - - Line 29
From
Sunland
JAMES BOYD ANDERSON
SGT - E4 - Army - Regular
1st Cav Division (AMBL)
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 02, 1948
From SUNLAND, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Mar 26, 1968
Casualty was on May 09, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
METHODIST
Panel 57E - - Line 13
ROBERT PAUL D
EMANUELE
SGT - E4 - Army - Regular
1st Log Command
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 24, 1947
From SUNLAND, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Oct 18, 1967
Casualty was on Sep 16, 1968
in QUANG NGAI, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
VEHICLE CRASH
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 43W - - Line 3
STEPHEN CARL HARRELL
SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
23 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Mar 01, 1946
From SUNLAND, CALIFORNIA
His tour of duty began on Apr 23, 1969
Casualty was on Jul 03, 1969
in BINH DUONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 21W - - Line 52
RICHARD HUGH MC
HAM
HM3 - E4 - Navy - Regular
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Aug 28, 1947
From SUNLAND, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 2 years.
His tour of duty began on Apr 15, 1967
Casualty was on Dec 21, 1967
in QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 32E - - Line 38
RONALD HARVEY MC
NEES
PFC - E2 - Marine Corps - Regular
21 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 12, 1944
From SUNLAND, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
Casualty was on Jun 05, 1965
in QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
OTHER EXPLOSIVE DEVICE
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 01E - - Line 131
THOMAS FRANK PRESBY
PFC - E2 - Marine Corps - Regular
19 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 24, 1946
From SUNLAND, CALIFORNIA
Casualty was on Jul 24, 1966
in QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 09E - - Line 71
From
Sun Valley
ROGER LEE
BARBER
PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service
25th Infantry Division
23 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 17, 1943
From SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
His tour of duty began on May 14, 1967
Casualty was on Jun 13, 1967
in QUANG NGAI, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST
Panel 21E - - Line 96
RONALD HOWARD
BROWN
CAPT - O3 - Marine Corps - Reserve
31 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 06, 1937
From SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 10 years.
His tour of duty began on Jul 17, 1967
Casualty was on Feb 07, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 37E - - Line 79
NICHOLAS MARK
HARTMAN
SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
4th Infantry Division
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 09, 1945
From SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
His tour of duty began on Sep 15, 1966
Casualty was on Nov 17, 1966
SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 12E - - Line 83
JAMES DONALD
KLUGE
PFC - E3 - Army - Regular 1st Cav Division (AMBL)
22 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 07, 1947
From SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
His tour of duty began on May 05, 1969
Casualty was on May 17, 1969
in LONG KHANH, SOUTH VIETNAM
NON-HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ILLNESS, DISEASE
Body was recovered
Religion
LUTHERAN & MISSOURI SYNOD
Panel 24W - - Line 32
STEVEN LARRY
OSTROFF
SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
1st Infantry Division
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on May 20, 1947
From SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
His tour of duty began on Apr 14, 1967
Casualty was on Oct 17, 1967
in BINH LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Religion
JEWISH
Panel 28E - - Line 29
RICHARD
CHARLES RAMSEY
SGT - E4 - Air Force - Regular
24 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jan 14, 1944
From SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 6 years.
His tour of duty began on Mar 08, 1967
Casualty was on Feb 18, 1968
in GIA DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
LATTER DAY SAINTS, MORMON
Panel 40E - - Line 12
HEINZ ARNOLD TAPIO
SGT - E4 - Army -
Regular
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 19, 1947
From SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on May 01, 1967
Casualty was on Jul 22, 1967
SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died missing
FIXED WING - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 23E - - Line 108
From
Lakeview Terrace
STEVEN
PATRICK STEELE
SP5 - E5 - Army - Regular
Special Forces
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Sep 03, 1949
From LAKE VIEW TERRACE, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 3 years.
His tour of duty began on Jul 21, 1969
Casualty was on Apr 20, 1970
in BINH LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Religion
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Panel 11W - - Line 28
MARK EDWARD
SMITH
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
101st Airborne Division
18 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Aug 10, 1949
From LAKE VIEW TERRACE, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
Casualty was on Mar 02, 1968
in THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Non-Hostile, died missing
FIXED WING - NONCREW
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST
Panel 42E - - Line 41
JASPER DEAN
STURDIVANT
2LT - O1 - Army - Reserve
28 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jul 07, 1937
From LAKE VIEW TERRACE, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 10 years.
His tour of duty began on May 03, 1966
Casualty was on Jul 03, 1966
SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered
Panel 08E - - Line 127
Click on the link below to see
Jasper Sturdivant's Page
STEPHEN
DONALD PLEASANT PFC - E3 -
Army - Selective Service 1st Cav Division (AMBL)
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Dec 31, 1946
From BURBANK, CALIFORNIA
His tour of duty began on Oct 21, 1966
Casualty was on Mar 21, 1967
in BINH DINH, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
BAPTIST
Panel 17E -- Line
12
DUANE CARL
PAEPKE JR
SP4 - E4 - Army - Regular
11th Light Infantry Brigade
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Jun 04, 1948
From GALT, CALIFORNIA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on May 17, 1968
Casualty was on Mar 03, 1969
in QUANG NGAI, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Religion
PROTESTANT
Panel 30W - - Line 28
Though Duane's records show Galt,
California as his home town, Duane did live in the area and attended Verdugo Hills High
School
DWIGHT LLOYD
BENNETT
SP4 - E4 - Army - Selective Service
9th Infantry Division
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Mar 03, 1947
From TECUMSEH, OKLAHOMA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Jan 28, 1967
Casualty was on Jul 31, 1967
in DINH TUONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Body was recovered
Panel 24E - - Line 53
Dwight was in the class of 1965 but
moved to Oklahoma before graduating and enlisting in the Army. Thanks to Angee
Strickland - White from the Class of 1966 for letting us know.
Thanks to Dave
Robertson, Class of 1968, and Steve Latauska, Class of 1967 for the additional updated
information.
The above
information was obtained from the Vietnam War Memorial, "The Wall", in
Washington D.C. The men above all had Sunland, Tujunga, Sun Valley or Lake View
Terrace listed as their home town of record.
If there is a name that isn't on this
page and should be on this page, please contact Sean Curtis or Cathy Moody - Weckmann.
