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.
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Allen, Sr. Kenneth M.
US Navy
b 6-26-1942 d 6-3-2004
Michigan City IN
Age 61y, 11m, 10d
1962 – Honorable Discharge
Ken’s brother, David Allen,
served in the US
Navy during Vietnam.
His father, Marion
Allen Jr.,
served during WW2.
Kens’ son,
Kenneth M. Allen Jr.
served in the US Navy 1987-1989
Attend Hartford High School until enlistment into the Navy.
Loved NASCAR, working on cars as a mechanic and auto body repairman.
Son of Marion and Lena (Bouma) Allen Jr.
Ken lived with his family in Winnie, TX at the time of his death. He died
as a result of an automobile accident in Michigan City IN.
4-2007 – information submitted by his son, Kenneth Allen Jr.
11-8-2007 – photo submitted by his daughter, Michelle Hoyt.
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Allen, David
US Navy – E4
Vietnam
In
service 1964-1968
HHS
Class of 1966
From Hartford MI
Dave’s
Vietnam Friend
Son of Marion and Lena Allen Jr.
David’s brother, Kenneth M. Allen Sr.,
served in the Navy during Vietnam Era.
His father,
Marion Allen Jr.,
served during WW2.
David’s nephew, Kenneth M. Allen Jr.,
served in the US Navy 1987-1989.
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US Army – SP5 E5
Artillery Surveyor
Germany
In service
12-15-1967 to 11-25-1969
Honorable Discharge
HQ BTRY, 6th Battalion
10th Arty USA REUR
Bamberg, Germany
Ft Knox, Louisville KY
Ft Sill, OK
Medals
» National Defense
Service Medal
» Marksman M14
HHS Class of 1966
From Hartford MI
Son of
Donald and Alice (Snyder) Bachman
Married to
Ernestine Green HHS 1966Rick’s
father-in-law,
Ernest H. Green,
served in the Army 1945-1947. Brother-in-law,
Laurel
Dale Green, served in the Air Force
during Vietnam 1968-1973.
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US Air Force – SGT E4
47151 Auto Repairman (CDC)
b 1-23-1943
So. Haven MI
In service
8-30-1968 to 8-30-1970 Reserves
8-31-1964 to 8-30-1968 Active Duty
Training:
Auto Rpmn (CDC), Multi Fuel Engine, OJT Training/Supv.
Awards and Medals
» National Defense Medal
» Vietnam Service Medal
» Air Force Good Conduct Medal
» Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (SAEMR)
» AFM 900-3
From South Haven MI
SHHS Class of 19__
2004 update:
Resides in Hartford MI
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US Air Force
Served in
England
In service 1965 –
from
HHS
Class of 1966
From:
Watervliet MI
Resided
in Hartford
from 1962-1965
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US Air Force – E4
Air Rescue Team
832nd Security Police
Co.
Served in
Bien Hoa, Vietnam
Clovis, New Mexico
In Service 1967-1970
18 years old
Wounded in Action
Awards and Medals
» Recipient of the Purple Heart
» Vietnam Service medal
» Vietnam Campaign
medal
» National Defense Ribbon
» Presidential Unit Citation
for
involvement in
the Tet Offensive of 1968
among others.
HHS Class of 1966
From Hartford MI
Newspaper
Article1
Article
2
Article 3
Bob is the son of
Clare H. Beam, who
served during WW11. His great grandfather,
John
Jordan Beam, served during the Civil War. Bob’s son,
Richard
Alan Beam, served during the Persian Gulf War-Desert Storm.
Another son,
Robert Beam II, served during 1993-1997 in the USMC. |
US Army-Navy
MOSC 20 – Spec 5
PBR, Patrol Boat River
b 3-10-1947
St. Joseph MI
In Service
1968-1970
Served in South Vietnam
Awards and Medals
From Hartford
HHS Class of 1968
Resided in Hartford 1947-1980
Jan’s brother,
David Bigelow,
served in the US Navy during Vietnam
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Bigelow, David W.
US Navy
b 4-11-1942 d
1-16-2010
Lawrence MI Wilkes-Barre PA
Age 67y, 9m, 8d In
service
1964 – 1968 From
Hartford MI
HHS Class of 1960 Son
of
Walter and Ann Bailey Bigelow
Married to
Agnes Demchishin Bigelow
David’s brother,
Jan Bigelow, served in the Army-Navy during
Vietnam.
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Birmele, Raymond
In Service 196_ to 19__
HHS Class of 1966
From Hartford MI
Ray’s father, Marvin
E. Birmele,
served during WW11. |
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Wounded in Action
Awards and Medals:
» Award of the Army Commendation metal
for heroism with "V"
device.
» Received 8 Air Medals.
Five Oak Leaf Clusters to
an air medal. Each oak leaf cluster signified 25 or more combat missions
in hostile territory in Vietnam. Flew at least 200 combat missions.
» Meritorious Unit Citation
» Valorous Unit Award
» Vietnam Expeditionary Medal
» Purple Heart – for injuries sustained in Vietnam when a machine gun
aboard a helicopter exploded.
Bisbee was crew chief of the helicopter.
View
photo
of Terry with his helicopter and a special photo that appeared in Time
Life Magazine in 1964.
Read
letter
Terry wrote from Vietnam
to his Mother about the Purple Heart
award
and conditions of the battle front at that time.
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US Army – SP6
b 12-13-1937 d11-15-1995
Age 57y, 11m, 4d
Flight Engineer,
Chinook Helicopter
with at least
200 combat missions
120th Aviation and
Attached Units 1964-1965
145th Aviation Battalion
In service 1956 to 1976
Served 3 terms in Vietnam
Member of the
HHS Class of 1956.
Did not graduate from
Hartford, but left school
to enter service.
+At age 57, Terry died
in 1995 of cancer from agent orange used
during the Vietnam War. Thanks
to Terry’s sister,
Peggy Harris, for providing this information. Beautiful photos
came from the
website of his daughter,
Carole Breidenbach.
View other photos at
www.geocities.com/shy_tiggress.
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June 28, 1967
The Hartford Day Spring
Sp-6 Terry L Bisbee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Bisbee recently
received an award of the Army Commendation medal for heroism with
"V" device.
In the letter sent home to his parents, signed by
Daniel B. Pyler, Adjutant General, and Co. George W. Casey, Chief of
Staff, it read:
For heroism in connection with military operation
against a hostile force. Sp-6 Bisbee distinguished himself by heroism in
action on April 5, while serving as flight engineer of
a CH-47 Chinook
helicopter during a night troop extraction near Song Mao, Republic of
Vietnam. On this date he demonstrated courage and professional
competence while leading his crew and directing his
aircraft into a small,
unmarked clearing close to hostile force. While maintaining a watchful eye
on critical components of his helicopter, he was continuously alert for
North Vietnamese snipers. Due to the successful completion of the night extraction
under trying conditions, the high moral and fighting spirit of the
infantry unit was maintained. Spec. Bisbee’s courageous action is in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects
great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Terry’s brother,
Nyle Bisbee, served in the U.S. Army during Korea.
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Burg, Donald L.
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Blakeman, Mark D. |
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US Army
b 8-17-1949
d
8-9-2011 Benton Harbor MI Hartford MI
In service 19__ to 19__
Son of Jack & Margarite
Vertifeulle Blakeman
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Burgess Jr., Freeman |
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US Army
b 8-25-1948
d 3-26-2008
Winter Haven FL Berrien Center MI
Age 59y, 7m, 1d
Buried at
Shore Memory Gardens
Hagar Shores MI
In service
1968 – 1970
Son of
Freeman and
Annie Mae (Matthews) Burgess Sr.
Married to
Donna Paul Burgess
Retired from Bosch Braking Systems in April 2004 after
37
1
⁄
2
years of service.
Last resided in Hartford MI
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Brinsfield, Dale
US Army
Vietnam
b 10-31-1944 d
12-30-2014
Hartford MI Age 70y, 2m, 1d
From HHS class of 1966
In
service 196_ to 196_
Wounded in action Received gunshot wounds to the
abdomen and left eye.
Awarded
the Purple Heart on November 17, 1967. Son of
Marion &
Roy Brinsfield
Married to Barbara Alden Brinsfield
Instrumental in the
establishment of
Vietnam Memorial in Ely Park.
Dale maintained the grounds around
the memorial at the park.
Brothers
Kenneth and
Robert Brinsfield served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era.
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Brinsfield, Kenneth
Charles
Small Arms Specialist 610th Maintenance Battalion US Army
Vietnam
b 1-12-1948 d
12-24-1999
Age 51y, 11m, 13d
Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery
Hartford MI In service 19__ to 19__
From HHS Class of 19__
From Hartford MI
Son of
Marion &
Roy Brinsfield Brothers
Dale and
Robert Brinsfield served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era.
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Brinsfield, Robert Lee
Co C 4th Bn, 35th Armor US Army
Vietnam
b 2-28-1949 d
9-17-1977
Age 28y, 6m, 20d
Died at Dowagiac MI
Buried in Maple Hill Cemetery
Hartford MI
In service
1966-1967
AWARDS
2 Silver Stars
From Hartford MI
HHS Class of 19__
Graduate of
Paw Paw High School Son of
Marion &
Roy Brinsfield
Brothers
Kenneth and
Dale Brinsfield served in the US Army during the Vietnam Era.
Information submitted 1-2003
by niece, Kristen Downey Dixon.
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Brodock, Ronald Martin
US Army – SP4
b 12/1/1952 d 7/15/1999
Hartford MI
Age
47y, 6m, 3d
Buried at
Ft. Custer National Cemetery
Augusta MI
Plot: Q 0 202
Last residence – Hartford MI
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Brunais, Frank
US Army – MSG E-8 (Ret)
b 10-12-1947
Manistee MI
+
Contracted disease-illness-disability during service
In service
1965-1989
Served in
1986-1989 – Chief 12F
1985-1986 – 2nd Engr Bn, Camp Pelham
S. Korea
1978-1981 – 23d Engr Bn Hanau Germany
1975-1978 – Ft L Wood, Drill Sgt, Instructor
1966-1975 – 58th Engr Co Fulda Germany 1965 – Ft Leonard Wood Mo,
5th Enger Bn
From Hartford MI,
HHS Class of 1965
Resided in Hartford 1955-1965
12-2005 Update
Dr. Frank Brunais retired from the US Army in 1989. Now resides in
Waynesville MO and has served as Pastor of Victory Fellowship Church since
retirement.
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Cade, David |
In service 19__ to 19__
From Hartford MI
Class of 1963 Married to
Susan Taylor Cade HHS 1963 David’s
father, Fred Cade,
served in the US Marine Corps during WW2. His father-in-law,
Verl Taylor,
served in the Air Force during Korea.
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Clemens JR.,
Corydon (Butch)
US ARMY – Sp4
Vietnam
In service 1966-1969
HHS Class of 1966
From Hartford MI
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Conklin, Donald F.
US Navy
Airman Apprentice
In service
19__ to 19__
Served on
USS Hornet – Aircraft Carrier
Anti-submarine warfare support
Served in
Vietnam
Attended
Hartford High School
Son of
Mr. and Mrs. William Gratzle |
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Coon, Timothy J.
US Navy
b 2-18-1947 d
9-3-2007
Fargo ND
Age 60y, 6m, 16d
Interment at
Watervliet Cemetery
Watervliet MI
In service 19__ to __
HHS Class of 1967
Son of Kenneth & Laura Coon
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Csepregi Jr., John
US Navy – Seaman E3
In service
1968-1972
Served in
Vietnam and Connecticut
Medals and Awards
» Navy Unit Commendation
» Meritorious Unit
» MUC Gallantry Grass Run
From Benton Harbor MI
BHS Class of 1967
Resided in Hartford since 1978.
7-1-2004 Photo and information
submitted via
Bill Dyer
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Daisy, Richard Lee
US Army
S Sgt
b 3-17-1947 d 3-23-1979
Age 31y, 11m, 28d
Buried in
Maple Hill Cemetery
Section 5 – Lot 90 E1/2
Hartford MI
In service
19__ to 19__ |
Davis, Carl |
Davis, James Jefferson
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US Army
Served in
Vietnam
In service 19__ to 19__
From Keeler MI
HHS Class of 1965
Son of Jefferson James
and Vivian Myers Davis HHS
Carl’s brother, James Davis, served
in the
US Army National Guard.
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US Army – National Guard
b 8-8-1944
d
4-27-2012
Dowagiac MI
Age 67y, 8m, 20d
In service 19__ to 19__
From Keeler MI
HHS Class of 1962
Son of Jefferson James and
Vivian Myers Davis HHS
Jim’s brother, Carl Davis,
also served in
the US Army.
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Deckert, Ronald
US Army
23rd Infantry (Americal)
Instructor
In service 1967 to 1970
Vietnam and
1984 to ?
Middle East and Germany
From HHS Class of 1966
From Hartford MI
Resides in Kansas
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DeLoach, Carl
US Army
b 4-14-1944
d 10-12-2014
Lopanto Ark
Hartford MI
Son of
Norman and Zelma (Blevens)
DeLoach
Married to
Monica Shafer
Resided in
Hartford MI
Retired from
Love Joy, South Haven MI |
Disbrow, Roger Glenn
US Army
b 11-1-1943
d 12-23-2006
Brisbane Australia Hartford MI
Age 63y, 1m, 23d
In Service
19__ to 19__
From Hartford
HHS Class of 1962 |
Dockter Jr., Frank A. |
Hartford Medic is
Hero in Viet Nam |
US Army – Medic
Specialist 4th Class
b 11-15-1944
In service 1965 – 1967
Cu Chi, Vietnam
Awards
» Army Commendation
with "V" device
» Combat Medic Badge
» Good Conduct Medal
» Vietnam Campaign Medal
» Vietnam Service Medal
» National Defense Service Medal
HHS Class of 1963
Resided in Harford 1944-1973
Returned to Hartford in 2004.
Information submitted by Frank’s daughter, Dana Goetter, who comments,
"He is a wonderful man who is
NEVER in
a bad mood!!!"
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Dockter gets medal for saving
four
HARTFORD – Pfc. Frank Dockter, Jr., an army medic in Viet Nam, has
been decorated for heroism for helping to save four soldiers from a
flaming helicopter. He is the son of Mary Dockter. His wife,
the former Sharon Kelly, lives at Watervliet.
Pfc. Dockter was awarded the army commendation medal
for his life-saving action. The citation from his commanding
officer which accompanied the medal read:
"Pfc. Dockter was loading equipment on resupply helicopters which
were operating in support of combat operations against a hostile
force.
"At 1715 hours a helicopter on a resupply mission crashed on
the north end of the 25th infantry division’s airstrip, turned
over on its side and burst into flames.
"There was imminent danger of an explosion.
"With complete disregard for his own personal safety,
he ran to the helicopter to assist in the evacuation of the pilot,
co-pilot, crew chief and door gunner, helping to free the injured
personnel from the burning aircraft.
"The fact that some survived the crash is a credit to
his instantaneous reactions.
"This outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion
to duty and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon
himself, his unit, the 25th infantry division and the United
States army."
Pfc. Dockter was drafted last Oct. 4 and received basic training at
Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Tex. He has been in Viet Name
since April 28. The action for which he was awarded the medal took
place on May 19.
In a letter to his mother, Pfc. Dockter said he was
told a day in advance that he was to receive a medal, but that he
didn’t know what it was for until it was presented to him.
Hartford Day
Spring
June 9, 1966
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Dodd, David
National Guard
In service 19__ to 19__
HHS Class of 1966
From Keeler MI
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Downey, Michael D.
US Army
Helicopter Mechanic
Specialist 4th Class
b 9-22-1949
In service 1969 – 1970
Vietnam
From Coloma MI
CHS Class of 1967
Resident of Hartford
1969 to present
Information submitted on 2/1/2003
by his daughter,
Kristen Downey Dixon
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Drake, Thomas |
US Army
In service 19__ to 19__
HHS Class of 1966
From Hartford MI
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This site will change when names and photos become
available. Check back often for updates. Please use the
on-line
submission form OR email the
webmaster if you have any information on anyone who served
in the military and lived in Hartford OR Keeler at any time during their life.
I would appreciate knowing of any incorrect or incomplete
information displayed on the site. |