Putting faces to the names on Vietnam Veterans Memorial

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. John Campbell became a casualty of the Vietnam War on Aug. 13, 1967, and U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Schmidt was lost May 16, 1969.

The Cole County natives' names are etched on the striking, polished black memorial installed in 1982 in Washington D.C.

A new effort has begun to collect photos for each name represented on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Soldiers from Russellville and St. Thomas are among many who already have a photo uploaded to www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces.

Another 720 casualties from Missouri await a photo to remember their sacrifice.

The Missouri Press Association has encouraged Missouri newspapers to participate in the ongoing "Faces Never Forgotten" project, sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, in its quest to obtain a photo of every U.S. Vietnam soldier killed in action.

Newspapers offer the best means for reaching out to local audiences in an attempt to complete the goals of the "Faces Never Forgotten" project, the Association said.

"It's an interesting goal," said Bryan Jones, editor of the Missouri Press News Magazine. "To think of all the names on the wall and to put faces with them is a neat project and fills a historic need."

The Vietnam Memorial wall in Washington D.C. was dedicated in 1982 with the mission to heal the nation's wounds and honor Vietnam veterans, the foundation website said. Three decades later, the mission continues with the education center at The Wall.

The Jefferson City News Tribune has partnered with the American Legion to help spread the word, which hopefully will result in photos being added to the remaining 24 Mid-Missouri soldiers and airmen on the site without photos.

"Unfortunately, Vietnam veterans were not well received when they came home from doing their duty," said Tom Goodin, American Legion Department of Missouri commander. He is also a past president of the local Post 5."We're happy the American Legion can help get the recognition they deserve.

"This is a fitting tribute to these fallen warriors."

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Listed below are Vietnam War casualties listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., but who do not yet have a photo on their memorial page at www.vvmf.org.

• Charles M. George, a private in the U.S. Army, was reported as a casualty Nov. 11, 1970, in the Quang Tri province. He was born Feb. 27, 1952, and listed Lohman as his hometown.

• Patrick B. Kempker, a U.S. Army specialist, was reported as a casualty June 28, 1969, in the Thua Thien province. He was born April 6, 1948, and listed Eugene as his hometown.

• Elwood R. Hendrix, a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, was reported as a casualty Sept. 12, 1967, in Long An province. He was born April 9, 1943, and named Fulton as his hometown.

• Orville A. Sheets, a private in the U.S. Army, was listed as a casualty Feb. 14, 1968, in the Binh Duong province. He was born Jan. 24, 1946, and named Fulton as his hometown.

• Frank E. Johnson, a U.S. Army private, was listed as a casualty May 12, 1969, in the Quang Ngai province. He was born July 6, 1948, and named Auxvasse as his hometown.

• Bill D. Poff, a U.S. Army specialist, was listed as a casualty June 3, 1968, in Dinh Tuong province. He was born Nov. 27, 1944, and listed Auxvasse as his hometown.

• James F. Lang, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, was reported as a casualty April 28, 1968, in the Thua Thien province. He was born Nov. 22, 1941, and listed his hometown as Tipton.

• Marvin H. Sanders, a U.S. Army corporal, was reported a casualty Dec. 2, 1969, in the Quang Nam province. He was born March 11, 1949, and listed his hometown as Fortuna.

• James L. Wood, a U.S. Army specialist, was listed as a casualty Feb. 15, 1968, in the Quang Ngai province. He was born Sept. 2, 1947, and listed Eldon as his hometown.

• George A. Holtschneider, a specialist in the U.S. Army, was listed as a casualty Jan. 9, 1970, in the Phuoc Long province. He was born Jan. 8, 1950, and listed Westphalia as his hometown.

• Marvin R. Parker, a corporal in the U.S. Army, was listed as a casualty Aug. 30, 1968, in the Kontum province. He was born Aug. 13, 1947, and named Hartsburg as his hometown.

• George A. Pruitt, a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, was listed as a casualty April 8, 1968, in the Quang Tri province. He was born May 22, 1947, and named Richland as his hometown.

• Willard G. Storie, a chief warrant officer with the U.S. Army, was listed as a casualty Nov. 24, 1970, in the Quang Ngai province. He was born March 4, 1937, and named Owensville as his hometown.

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Link:

www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces

Update, posted July 13, 2014:

Photos of two local soldiers added to Vietnam War memorial

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