Category: Vietnam War

Sgt Gerrald Aundre Stansell

Birth: Jun. 28, 1944 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Feb. 8, 1966 Quang Tin, Vietnam.

USMC Gerrald Aundre Stansell native of Charlotte, NC was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Gerrald died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered.

Officers who served with him in Viet Nam indicate he was a great squad leader, a tremendous Marine, and a better Man. A High School friend recalled that Gerrald was always smiling; was cute and many of the girls had a crush on him.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin A. Stansell of Charlotte. His unit was Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. This was his second tour to Vietnam. He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Evergreen Burial Park Mint Hill, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

 

Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744; finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates

SP4 William Henry Smith, Jr.

Birth: Feb. 27, 1949 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Jan. 31, 1970, Vietnam.

SP4 William Henry Smith native of Charlottte, North Carolina was a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, 20 years old and was not married. It was reported that William died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered.

He served with Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Mount Olive Presbyterian Church Cemetery Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744; finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)

David Brennan Schachner

Birth: May 17, 1948 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: May 14, 1969, Vietnam.

SP4 David Brennan Schachner native of Charlotte, North Carolina was a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, 20 years old and was not married. It was reported that David died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered.

His dog Hector and him “walked point” for patrols his whole tour looking for the elusive enemy. He was a Scout Dog Handler with the 40th Scout Dog Platoon. David and his dog saved many lives while he was walking as point man for different patrols during his time in Vietnam. His comrades remember David with a smile because he was always making them laugh. He was a great guy and a big cut up. His brother Nick Schachner was supposed to go to Vietnam his father stopped the plane because he had already had one child killed in action. He was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Schachner, Sr. of Charlotte, NC. 

Robert James Ross

Birth: Jul. 1, 1947 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Jul. 1, 1968 Quang Tri, Vietnam.

SGT Robert James Ross native of Charlotte, NC was a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Robert died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered.

He was killed on his birthday. He was the son of Mr. James R. and Mrs. Mamie E. Taylor Ross of Charlotte, NC. He served with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star Medal, The Army Achievement Medal, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: York Memorial Park Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co.

Plot: Sect. 1-A, Block 5, Lot # 22, Space-C.

(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744; finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)

George Michael Price

Birth: Sep. 29, 1947 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Oct. 29, 1968 Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.

USMC PFC George Michael Price native of Charlotte, NC was 21 years old and was married. It was reported that George died from enemy mortar fire during Operation Garrard Bay, north of Dien Ban. His body was recovered. He was the husband of Mrs. Joan D. Price of Kannapolis, NC.

He served with Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF. He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Sharon Memorial Park Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744; finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)

Sgt Sidney Edward Plattenburger

Birth: Sep. 24, 1949 Monroe, Union Co., NC

Death: Apr. 1, 1970 Tay Ninh, Vietnam.

Sgt Sidney Edward Plattenburger native of Charlotte, NC was 20 years old and was not married. It was reported that Sidney died from artillery fire. His body was recovered.

A comrade explains that he and Sid were in the same platoon and spent a lot of time at our jobs. He was in the wire section and I was in the radio section. We used to be on guard duty together. Sidney would always talk about home and the Smokey Mountains. His Sister remembers when you were leaving the two of you sat on the bed and sang “Leaving on a jet plane”‘. I remember the fishing trips we took and that smelly bait you use to make. I have told my son and granddaughter the stories about us growing up together and the good times we had.

Two of Sid’s friends stood at attention at his coffin and as they stood there tears streamed from their eyes, it was heartbreaking. It was devastating for his brother Sonny to escort his body back from Viet Nam. It was even more devastating when he had to present the flag to his mom; he broke down as he handed the flag to her and just grabbed onto her and they both cried.

He served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star Medal, The Achievement Medal, The Army Commendation Medal, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Sharon Memorial Park Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744; finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)

Cpl Robert Harold Pettit

Birth: Oct. 1, 1944 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Apr. 5, 1967 Thua Thien, Vietnam. USMC

Cpl Robert Harold Pettit native of Charlotte, NC was 22 years old and was married. It was reported that Robert died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered.

He was the husband of Mrs. Robert H. Pettit of Ferguson, NC. He served with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd MAF. He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon (CAR), The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Unknown.

(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744;finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)