Category: Vietnam War

Freddie Wallace Green

Birth: Dec. 1, 1942 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Feb. 19, 1966 Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam.

SGT Freddie Wallace Green, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, NC was 23 years old and was not married. It was reported that Freddie died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered.

On 19 Feb 1966, nine men of the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, died in battle including SGT Freddie Wallace Green. He was participating in Operation Masher/White Wing which was the 1st Cavalry Division’s name for their part of an Allied operation conducted against main force VC and NVA units operating in southeastern Quang Ngai Province and northeastern Binh Dinh Province. The combined VC/NVA force was the Sao Vang (Gold Star) Division, and a force totaling nearly three divisions of US Army, US Marines, Korean Army, and SVN Army and Marines were staged against them. On 17 Feb the 5th Cav caught the heavy weapons battalion of the 2nd VC Regiment, leading to a series of engagements over the next four days.

Sgt Freddie Wallace Green was the Son of Mr. Frank and Rebecca Walker Green (1904 – 1947) of Charlotte. Other survivors include a sister, Miss Frances Green of Charlotte and a Half-Brother James Miller of Charlotte. 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: Unknown.

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

1st Lt Ronnie Berton Goodwin

Birth: Feb. 15, 1948 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co.

Death: Feb. 16, 1973, South Korea.

1st Lt Ronnie Berton Goodwin, Korean War and Vietnam War Veteran, native of Charlotte, NC was killed in the crash of an F4 Phantom jet during the Vietnam War. Ron Goodwin was killed flying an F-4 during a nuclear bomb delivery training mission over Korea on February 16, 1973. Ronnie was the navigator. Also killed was the pilot, Capt. Thomas Ballard, USAF. Ronnie is buried with his parents in Charlotte Memorial Cemetery, Charlotte, N.C. He is the Son of Mr. Hall Villa Goodwin (1913 – 1999) and Mary Jane Jordan (1914 – 1999) of Charlotte, NC.

The pilots flew a good low level mission to the Kuni bombing range on the west coast of South Korea. When they flew over the target at 1,000 feet, their bomb did not release. The most common reason a bomb did not release was because the pilot failed to properly configure all of the switches necessary for the delivery. This is called a “switchology error,” which meant an error caused by improper setting of weapons switches. In the F-4 it was actually possible to select the switches in such a way that pressing the bomb release button caused the 20mm Gatling gun on the centerline of the airplane to be released like a bomb.

Captain Ballard began a 360 degree turn to make another bombing run so that he could release his bomb within two minutes of the designated TOT. The accident report speculated that while in the turn at low level (500 – 1,000 feet) the F-4 flew into the water. Tom was probably checking the switches in the cockpit trying to figure out why the bomb did not release and was momentarily distracted, which allowed the airplane hit the water. When you fly at high speeds, there is not much room for error.

(Source: With permission of the Author; Richard Keyt, J.D., LL.M. is an attorney licensed to practice law in Arizona. He flew F-4 Phantom supersonic fighters (1971 – 1976). Rick’s web site located at www.keytlaw.com; replicated by Ronald E. Yates 8/14/2009; web_genealogist@yatesville.net)

A Memorial Scholarship Named for Ron Goodwin states:

“None of his classmates were surprised three years ago when Ron Goodwin was awarded the A. C. Reynolds Founder Award, symbolic of excellence in campus citizenship. Ronnie was that kind of person, always there on any project that needed work and, more often than not, stepping aside to let others receive the credit for the job. En route to earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, Ron served as vice president of the Student Government Assn., as vice president, treasurer and rally master for his fraternity, Sigma Delta Upsilon and was on SGA’s Judicial Board for two years. He was a recipient of an American Enka Corp Dormitory Scholarship and, in his senior year, was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. After graduation, he entered the Air Force, earning a commission as a pilot. His death in a plane crash in Korea earlier this year stunned the campus community and alumni. Determined that Ron and his example of campus citizenship will not be forgotten, the Alumni Association has instituted an annual scholarship in memory of the young man who could always be counted on. His accomplishments included; B.A., Economics, University of North Carolina, Asheville, 1970; Vice President, Student Government Association, UNCA; Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities, 1970; A.C. Reynolds Founder’s Scholarship, 1970, presented annually and based on campus citizenship; Sigma Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Vice-President.”

He was awarded The Korean Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Charlotte Memorial Gardens, 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 Eric Stuart Gold

Birth: Sep. 21, 1949 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Jan. 5, 1969 Bin Duong, Vietnam.

SGT Eric Stuart Gold, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, North Carolina was 19 years old and was not married. It was reported that Eric died from small arms fire or grenade. He was the Great Grandson of Sam and Inez Morris.

Eric served in a special unit of trained and motivated soldiers, most of who had at least 6 months in combat and had undergone an intensive selection. The unit was organized to provide long range reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and special type missions and usually operated in 4-6 man teams. It was reported by someone serving along side Eric that he held Eric’s hand and everyone present on the team that day was able to speak with Eric before he expired.

He served with Echo Company, 20th Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Activated in 1915, as the 173rd Infantry Brigade the unit saw service in World War I, but is best known for its actions during the Vietnam War. The brigade was the first major United States Army ground formation deployed in Vietnam, serving there May 1965-1971 and losing almost 1,800 soldiers. Noted for its roles in Operation Hump and Operation Junction City, the 173rd is best known for the Battle of Dak To, where it suffered heavy casualties in close combat with North Vietnamese forces. Brigade members received over 7,700 decorations, including more than 6,000 Purple Hearts.

Eric was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Bronze Star Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Three awards of 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: Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Cemetery #03 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 Donald Michael Furr

Birth: Aug. 23, 1948 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Jul. 7, 1968 Thua Thien, Vietnam.

Cpl Donald Michael Furr, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, NC was a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, 19 years old and was married. It was reported that Donald died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. He was the Husband of Mrs. Brenda F. Furr of Charlotte, NC. He served with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division(AMBL), USARV. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, 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: 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)

PFC Barron Allen Frazier

Birth: Aug. 18, 1946 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Aug. 18, 1967, Vietnam.

PFC Barron Allen Frazier, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, NC was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Barron died from illness or disease. His body was recovered. He was the son of Mr. Allen Frazier of Charlotte, NC. He served with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, USARV. 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: York Memorial Park Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Plot: Sect. # 10, Lot # 497, Space # 3.

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

SSG Johnson Francis Frank

Birth: Mar. 21, 1930 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Feb. 26, 1966, Vietnam. SSG Johnson Francis Frank, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, NC was 35 years old and was married. It was reported that Johnson died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. On 26 Feb 1966, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, “The Rock”, lost 12 men in action west of Bien Hoa air base: SSG Johnson Francis Frank was one of those Soldiers killed in action.

He was husband of Mrs. Gladys S. Frank of Fayetteville, NC. He served with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, “The Rock”, 173rd Airborne Brigade, USARV. 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: Unknown.

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

PFC Charles Roger Fleming

Birth: Sep. 9, 1945 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Jul. 19, 1966, Vietnam.

PFC Charles Roger Fleming, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, NC was 20 years old and was not married. It was reported that Charles died from multiple fragmentation wounds from a mine. His body was recovered. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles B Fleming Jr., of Charlotte, NC.

He served with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, “Wolfhounds”, 25th Infantry Division, “Tropic Lightning”. 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: Forest Lawn West Cemetery, Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Plot: Sect. H, Lot 192, Space # 4.

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

US Navy Engineman Third Class Robert Lane Fallows

Birth: Jun. 2, 1948 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Feb. 26, 1970 An Giang Province, Vietnam.

US Navy Engineman Third Class Robert Lane Fallows, native of Charlotte, NC was 21 years old and was not married. Robert died when his helicopter crashed. His body was recovered. Robert was described as an extremely outgoing person with a lot of musical talent. He loved his family and enjoyed life.

Accident reports indicated that Robert’s UH-34D departed the Tan Son Nhut Airbase in Viet Nam at 0800 Hours for its daily mission of shuttling mail and passengers to and from the ships and shore installations of the Navy River Forces and a local airstrip for connections to other aircraft. The helicopter had completed two priveious trips in order to avoid an excess weight take-off from the one of the Naval Ships. The aircraft then landed at An Long Airstrip and loaded Robert and five other passengers and 1050 lbs of mail. Approximately 6 miles north of Long Xuyen, An Giang Province, an unidentified Vietnamese civilian stated that he heard two explosion noises and observed the helicopter turn over two times then fell from the sky, impacting inverted in a dry rice field. The aircraft clock stopped at 1303 Hours.

By nightfall, all bodies save the pilot were removed. The next morning the Aircraft Accident Board arrived and a comprehensive on-site investigation was commenced. Everything seemed to be normal save for the transmission. The transmission contained bits of newspaper and pieces of white plastic. The newspaper was coated with green and gold colored paint and the pieces of white plastic material were identified as parts of a plastic cover similar to that used on an aerosol paint spray can. Nine Personnel were killed in this accident including EN3 Robert Lane Fallows.

He served on board YRBM-21, NAVSUPACT SAIGON, U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam. He was awarded 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 Cemetery, Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC.

Plot: Veterans Rest C -2

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

US Marine 2LT Ted Willis Edwards

Birth: Apr. 4, 1944 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Feb. 2, 1968 Quang Tri, Vietnam.

US Marine 2LT Ted Willis Edwards, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, NC and graduate of UNC, Class of 1966 was 23 years old and was not married. Ted died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered.

A fraternity brother says “Tedwards” was a great guy; I found his mother, or she found me, after I had written a piece several years ago for a magazine in which I had stated that Ted and several other North Carolinians who had died in our military were the best gifts which we, as North Carolinians had ever received. He’d have been 60 now as I write this. He was the son of Minnie Belle Parker Edwards and Thomas Benton Edwards, of Charlotte, NC.

He served with Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF. He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon, The Silver Star for Gallantry in Action, The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal, The National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Burial: Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co.

Plot: Sect.15, Lot #249, Space # 3

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

 

PFC Robert Lewis Dial

Birth: July 5, 1944 Laurinburg, Scotland Co.

NC Death: March 15, 1966, Vietnam.

PFC Robert Lewis Dial, Vietnam Veteran, native of Charlotte, NC was 21 years old and was married. It was reported that Robert died when his helicopter crashed. His body was recovered. He was with the 1st Cavalry Division and had just landed on a hill top on helicopter tail #0E080ACD. When the Huey top rotor blade hit the ground he and his crew went end over end over the top of the mountain and down the other side.

“To my only brother: I was so young when you died for our Country. I remember very little but you remain very alive in my heart. You my brave brother were the very first person to die in this war from our County. You are never forgotten! Love and miss you very much. Ruth Russell Laurinburg, NC.”  “You are my hero: I think about you so very much our train rides when we were such small children. Now I tell my grandchildren about our childhood days so long ago; Some of my very happiest memories. I miss all of the things we never got to do. I love and miss you, Debbie Shelby Dial, Laurinburg NC.”  “I love and miss you; I remember the day you died like it was yesterday. I love and miss you so much, but I know that you are in heaven with our wonderful Mother and that makes me happy. Your sister, Joann Dial Thrower Laurinburg, NC.”

He was the husband of Mrs. Ridda Dial, of Charlotte, NC. He served with Alpha Company, 227th Air Support Helicopter Company, 227th AHS, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded 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, The Good Conduct Medal and Two Air Medals with Two Oak Leaf Clusters.

Burial: Hillside Memorial Park, Laurinburg, Scotland Co.,  NC

Plot: Dial

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