Tag: military

USMC LCPL Johnny Samuel Holt

Birth: Jan. 18, 1948 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Jan. 22, 1969 Quang Nam, Vietnam.

US Marine LCPL Johnny Samuel Holt native of Charlotte, NC was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Johnny died from small arms fire or grenade. On 22 Jan 1969 an engineer team from C Company, 1st Engineer Battalion was conducting mine sweeping operations along Highway 540 about 8 kilometers south-southwest of Da Nang, Viet Nam. H&S Company, 1/7 Marines provided the engineers with an infantry security force. An ambush on the sweep team developed into a short but vicious firefight which resulted in the deaths of five Marines and one Navy Corpsman: LCpl Johnny S. Holt was one of those killed.

A fellow Marine recruit reported that he joined the Marines in January 1968 and went to Paris Island in platoon 304 with 80 other recruits. One night, our last week on the island, the Drill Instructor called a “SCHOOL CIRCLE” where gathered around to listen to a lecture. This lecture was different from the ones we usually hear. He said “I want all you to look around and remember the faces of your fellow Marines, because some of you are not going to make it home from Vietnam”. Johnny Holt was one of five listening to the lecture who died for their country.

He was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Alexander Jr., of Charlotte, NC. He served with Charlie Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 3rd MAF. He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon, 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. 

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

Spec 4 Warren George Haugen, Jr.

Birth: May 5, 1945 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Nov. 21, 1968 Kon Tum Province, Vietnam.

United States Army Specialist 4 Warren George Haugen, Jr. served with the Fourth Infantry Division. Warren was a passenger aboard a helicopter that crashed after it was shot down on “Sniffer mission” in South Vietnam.

WO1 Martin G. Given, co-pilot; WO Robert L. Storey, aircraft commander, Spec Billie J. Ontis, Gunner Spec Eddy G. Sumpter, Sgt Charles F. Rein, an Army photographer, Department of the Army Photographic Office, were also killed in the crash. Sniffer Missions were Helicopters flown configured with ammonia detection sensors attached to the skids would fly low-level just above the tree tops to detect ammonia given off in urine and perspiration of humans. The strength of the signal allowed one to roughly estimate the number of unseen enemy troops below the jungle canopy.

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington Co., VA

Plot: Section 52 Site 1306.

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

USMC Cpl Randy Alton Harrill

Birth: Sep. 25, 1947 Lincolnton, Lincoln Co., NC

Death: Jun. 22, 1967 Quang Nam, Vietnam.

USMC Cpl Randy Alton Harrill native of Lincoln Co., NC was 19 years old and was not married. Randy died from artillery fire. His body was recovered.

Randy remained an important part of his family due to all the stories heard from his Mother, Grandma and Grandfather Bob; the family retains a copy of the article that “Popa Bob” would carry to “The Wall” each year when he would go visit. The story most remembered is when Randy came home one afternoon and went running into the kitchen to see his Grandparents. He came out and told them that he was joining the Marines, but first he was going to graduate High School. Randy did as he said and before they knew it he was off.

A good friend of Randy’s says that he was a great friend very quiet and once you became his friend he was always there. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and driving fast cars. Randy was considered a loner and quiet. He had a nice Red Chevrolet Impala and he and a friend were trying to see how fast we could get it to go and got to 110 mph which was the fastest either one of had ever gone. That same day driving was the first day they heard the Beatles play. They were singing “I want to hold you hand”. Randy was a big guy over 6 feet and always wore a blue jean jacket and jean pants with cuffs turned up out side.

He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A Harrill of Charlotte, NC. He served with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, 3rd MAF. He was awarded The Combat Action Ribbon, 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., NC.

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

PFC Ronald Devone Griffin

Birth: Sep. 11, 1949 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Apr. 21, 1968 Binh Hoa, Vietnam.

PFC Ronald Devone Griffin native of Charlotte, NC was 18 years old and was not married. Ronald died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill F. Griffin of Charlotte, NC. He served with Echo Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, “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: 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 Fred Andrew Griffin Jr.

Birth: Oct. 11, 1947 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co.,

NC Death: Sep. 24, 1969 Bin Duong Province, Vietnam.

PFC Fred Andrew Griffin native of Charlotte, NC was a member of the Army Selective Service and a Draftee, 21 years old and was not married. He was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Griffin Sr. of Charlotte, NC. He served with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division and died in the line of duty but his mortal wounds were self-inflicted by non-hostile fire. His body was recovered.

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 ParkCharlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Plot: Sect.11, Lot # 97, Grave #1.

His father Rev. Fred Andrew Griffin, Sr. (1926-2008) is buried at Salisbury National Cemetery in Rowan Co., NC.

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

1st LT Robert Marshall Gribble

Birth: Apr. 14, 1947 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Mar. 29, 1971 Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. 1st

LT Robert Marshall Gribble, Vietnam Veteran native of Charlotte, NC was 23 years old and was married. It was reported that Robert died in the line of duty but his mortal wounds were self-inflicted.

His men reported that he was a good man and were proud to serve under him and watched him grow and mature into one of the finest officers they had been privileged to serve under. Lieutenant Gribble gained the respect of everyone, and was promoted to 1st LT during his time at LZ Nancy while reopening Khe Sanh after The Battle of Khe Sanh between 21 January and 8 April 1968. Returning to LZ Nancy, he was physically and mentally exhausted. He served with Charlie Company, 14th Engineer Battalion, 45th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade, Engineering Command. He was awarded 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: Evergreen Cemetery, Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Plot: 6 – 437-5.

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

John Marvin Greene

Birth: Mar. 31, 1948 Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Death: Mar. 24, 1969 Kham Duc, Vietnam.

Sgt John Marvin Greene, Vietnam Veteran, born in Charlotte, NC and became a native of New York, was 20 years old and was not married. It was reported that John died from small arms fire or grenade. His body was recovered. He was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Greene of Charlotte, NC.

He served as a Special Forces Radio Operator with Detachment A-503, 5th Special Forces Group, Special Forces Vietnam. He was awarded The Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Silver 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: Forest Lawn West Cemetery, Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC

Plot: Sect. D, Lot 102, Space #3.

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