Category: Vietnam War

SP4 John Mayo

Birth:  May 12, 1945 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death:  Nov. 14, 1966 Log An, Vietnam.

SP4 John Mayo a native of Charlotte, NC was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that John died from small arms fire. His body was recovered.

John was the communications specialist on a Special Forces A-Team (A-414). John was a member of the church where he is buried.  He indicated he was going to go into the ministry once he served his country.  He served with Detachment A-414, 5th Special Forces Group, Special Forces Vietnam.  He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star 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: Ebenezer 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)

Charles Michael Martin

Birth:  Mar. 25, 1947 Charlotte, NC

Death:  Sep. 13, 1966 Quang Nam Province, Vietnam.

Hospital Corpsman HN Charles M. Martin native of Charlotte, NC was killed in Vietnam after suffering mortal wounds from a hand grenade. He was 19 and had never been married.  His service number was #9180052.  He was serving with H&S CO, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Corps (III MAF).

Hospital Corpsman (HM) perform duties as assistants in the prevention and treatment of disease and injury and assist health care professionals in providing medical. They may function as clinical or specialty technicians, medical administrative personnel and health care providers at medical treatment facilities as well as battlefield corpsmen with the Marine Corps, rendering emergency medical treatment to include initial treatment in a combat environment. Qualified hospital corpsmen may be assigned the responsibility of independent duty aboard ships and submarines; Fleet Marine Force, Special Forces and Seabee units, and at isolated duty stations where no medical officer is available.

Burial: Salisbury National Cemetery Salisbury Rowan Co., NC

Plot: A, 920

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

PFC Harry William Love

Birth:  Mar. 24, 1945 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death:  May 30, 1965 Quang Nam, Vietnam.

US Marine PFC William Harry Love, Jr. native of Charlotte, NC was 20 years old and was not married. It was reported that Harry died in the line of duty. He served with Supply Company, 3rd Services Battalion, Force Logistics Support Group, 3rd Marine Amphibious Force.  He was awarded 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

Plot: Section D, Row A-7.

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

Master Sergeant Douglas Lloyd

Birth:  Jun. 4, 1929 Cornelius, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death:  May 28, 1967, Vietnam.

Army Master Sergeant served with Alpha Company, Fifth Special Forces Group. He has been missing in action from combat operations when his organization had engaged in a hostile a firefight in Binh Long, South Vietnam and was later recovered.

A Master Sergeant is the eighth enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, just above sergeant first class, below sergeant major, and equal in grade but not authority to first sergeant. It is abbreviated as “MSG” and indicated by three chevrons above three rockers. Age: 37 Caucasian and was married SSN/Service #: 53083515 Length of Service was 16 years and was a specialist in Infantry Operations and Intelligence.  He was the son of Henry Loyd and Laura Elizabeth Muller Loyd

Burial: Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery Cornelius, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Plot: Old Section Row A.

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

Abbie Eugene Leazer

Birth: Nov. 10, 1943 Wilmington, New Hanover Co., NC

Death: Jul. 3, 1969 Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam.

PFC Abbie Eugene Leazer native of Huntersville, NC, was a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, 25 years old and was married. It was reported that Abbie died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered.

An Army comrade says that Abbie had a sense of his death before he died he talked with his friend about it often. Abbie graduated from North Mecklenburg High School, Charlotte, NC. It is said by North Carolina friends that Abbie Leazer did not do anything quietly. He had an anniversary gold over black ’55 Chevy and literally owned the streets of Huntersville, NC, in the mid 60’s. To say that Abbie was a bit wild is not an understatement and he loved his Chevy while others feared it. He took on all comers and usually won; he was missed by his friends when he went to the Army. After being informed of his death the car guys had a well deserved toast in his honor.

Abbie E. Leazer was the husband of Mrs. Zondra H. Leazer and the son of Mr. Odis Eugene Leazer and Mrs. Flora Dean Barkley Leazer. He served with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 8th Artillery Regiment. He was awarded The Bronze Star Medal for Bravery, 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: Huntersville Presbyterian Church Cemetery Huntersville, Mecklenburg Co., NC
Plot: Leazer.
(Source: Posted with permission of Tom & Jim Reece, #46857744; “finding NC Vietnam KIA/MIA’s gravesites” ; Reconfigured and submitted by: Ron Yates)

 

Sgt James Mack Lawing

Birth:  Jan. 24, 1947 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

Death:  Oct. 4, 1968 Quang Tin, Vietnam.

SGT James Mack Lawing, Vietnam Veteran native of Charlotte, NC was a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, 21 years old and was married. James died when a Helicopter blade struck him while waiting to board. His body was recovered.

An Army Helicopter was on a resupply mission for the 3/21 Infantry BN, 23d Infantry Div. The aircraft’s cargo consisted of approximately 400 pounds of resupplies and three passengers which were to be delivered to LZ Center. Also, 900 pounds of fuel was on board. The aircraft commander contacted the ground unit and requested smoke. After analyzing the smoke and touchdown point conditions, he elected to begin his approach; landing approximately to the southeast. All aircraft engine instruments indicated normal readings. The approach was considered normal until the last 20 feet of the maneuver.

The aircraft, assumed to be now closing at a rate slightly faster than normal, made contact with the ground sooner than anticipated by aircraft commander, the right skid striking the ground with a force greater than normal. This initial ground contact caused the aircraft to roll excessively to the left, the aircraft commander applied right cyclic to correct this condition. The excessive application of right cyclic caused the main rotor system to strike the ground on the right side of the aircraft. Blade disintegration and complete loss of control occurred with the aircraft completely rolling over to the right and coming to rest in an inverted position. After ground contact the main rotor system killed James.

He served with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division.  He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star Medal, The Purple Heart Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster 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: Forest Lawn West Cemetery Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Plot: Lawing.

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

 

Michael Steven Lane

Birth:  Aug. 7, 1943 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

Death:  Feb. 5, 1968 Kontum, Vietnam.

1st Lt. Michael S Lane was 24 years old and was married. It was reported that Michael died when his helicopter crashed into the land. His body was recovered.

Michael Lane served with Company A, 227th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter), 1st Cavalry Division.  He was the pilot of a UH-1H helicopter that crashed into a revetment and burned while taking off in IFR conditions from LZ English. (IFR conditions is the term applied to weather which restricts an aircraft to operating with reference to its instruments rather than navigating visually using references outside. A low cloud ceiling and/or restricted visibility due to fog or haze will always be a factor that triggers these conditions.)

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)
Michael Steven Lane

David Allen Knox

Birth: Sep. 8, 1949 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Nov. 11, 1968 Thua Thien, Vietnam.

Sgt David Allen Knox, Vietnam Veteran native of Charlotte, NC was 19 years old and was not married. It was reported that David died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. A fellow comrade says he didn’t know him personally. He was new in the company and was in his first action when he David killed. He felt it was so sad that David had made it almost his year tour then died in a small firefight. He served with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, “Strike”, 101st Airborne Division, and “Screaming Eagles”. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, 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: Moore’s Sanctuary AME Zion 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)

Royd Steve Kerley

Birth:  Sep. 14, 1946 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death:  Apr. 17, 1967, Vietnam.

SP4 Royd Steve Kerley Jr, Vietnam Veteran native of Charlotte, NC was 20 years old and was married. It was reported that Royd died from multiple fragmentation wounds from a mine. His body was recovered.

 

 

Several friends remember him as follows:

“You were younger than I but we had great times on the school bus. You will always remain in my memory as a good friend and lots of laughs.”

“Steve and I were in the fourth grade when Steve entered Lula Elementary School, Lula, Georgia. Our teacher was Mrs. Maude Ivie, who died while we were in her classroom that year in 1956. I have fond memories of Steve as a very intelligent and good all around person. He had a hard working mother who raised four boys by herself. Every one of those boys grew up to be ones’ to make their mother proud.”

“I remember his beautiful dark skin and eyes. He was a very mild-mannered boy. Steve’s hardworking mother reared four very intelligent, devoted guys.”

“Steve Kerley was one of four sons of Doris Kerley.  I knew Steve from the time we were in the fourth grade. He and his brothers were exceedingly intelligent and witty. Steve was a good man. He is greatly missed.”

His cousin says “when were growing up Steve’s mother would bring Steve and his three brothers and come visit our grandparents who lived in North Carolina. There were about 7 years different between our ages I was born in 1939 and Steve was born in 1946, so we did not get to know each other as we would have liked to. Even at that age I could not believe the closeness that he and his brothers had.”

 

 

He served with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry, “Black Horse”. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star 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: Sunset Memory GardensCharlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

Plot: Kerley.

 

 

 

 

 

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