Honoring Corporal George Pace and Colonel Patrick Fallon on Their Birthday

Yesterday our nation paused to honor veterans. Today, I remember two veterans who were born on this date and died in Vietnam on a Fourth of July.

Marine Corporal George Alexander Pace, born November 12, 1944, was a chaplain's assistant. He was killed by shrapnel July 4, 1967 while standing at the altar helping the priest serve Mass at the Dong Ha Marine base. As his sister, Darlene, notes, this is "George's week." Tuesday was the Marine Corps birthday, Wednesday was Veterans Day, and today is George's birthday.

Air Force Colonel Patrick Martin Fallon, born November 12, 1921, went missing when his plane was shot down over the Plain of Jars in Laos on July 4, 1969. In 1979 he was declared "Killed in action, body not recovered." His remains still have not been recovered, and he is the highest ranking officer to remain missing in action from the Vietnam War.

Colonel Fallon

Corporal Pace

Honoring Staff Sergeant Charles D. Sawyers; Born and Died on Veterans Day

While today is a time to honor ALL who served. there is one American soldier who has a  unique connection with Veterans Day. Staff Sergeant Charles Douglas Sawyers of Yukon, West Virginia, was born on Veterans Day, and died serving his country in Vietnam on Veterans Day. Staff Sergeant Sawyers was born Nov. 11, 1942. He and five other combat engineers died in an ambush while working on a road on Nov. 11, 1967, his 25th birthday. He is buried at the Elwood Cemetery in Lorain, Ohio. Sergeant Sawyers is one of 162 Americans who died in Vietnam on Veterans Day.

50 Years Ago Today

Today marks the 50^th anniversary of the first two American deaths in Vietnam on a Fourth of July – Major James Charles Sheriff Jr. and PFC Gordon James Deitz Jr. Over the next eight years another 165 Americans died in that conflict on our Nation’s birthday. I had the honor of telling the stories of many of these men in my book Died on the Fourth of July.

As we celebrate America's independence, I join the family and friends of these 167 heroes to reflect on their sacrifice in the service of our country. We must never forget.

Honoring three men who died in Vietnam 50 years ago this Memorial Day

As we commemorate this Memorial Day, the date is particularly meaningful for the families of three American servicemen who died in Vietnam 50 years ago, May 25, 1965. They are:

• Master Sergeant Maurice Mosher, 37, Glen Lyon, PA, married with three children, buried at Arlington. He also served in WWII and Korea.

•  Specialist Fifth Class Lynn Peters, 26, Linn, WV, married with one child, buried at Rock Grove Cemetery, Gilmer, WV.

• Staff Sergeant Raymond Vrba Jr., 22, Waco, TX, married, son born after he died, buried at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX.

Each of these men is remembered in messages posted by family members on “virtual walls” online.

Master Sergeant Mosher’s daughter posted a message in 2004 seeking soldiers who served with her father, to learn more about his service. She wrote, “I was 11 years old when my dad died. I now have three sons, the youngest of which is almost eleven now, and they yearn for some connection to their grandfather, the hero, that they never met.”

Specialist Peter’s brother posted this message in 2003: “Lynn was a loving brother from a large family in WV. He loved his wife and daughter and family and everyone else that he ever met...loved to play music...he is dearly missed by his entire family....his daughter never got to know him....but from what we have told her...she knows that he loved her deeply...taken away so young to meet God. Brother, I hope mom and dad have both found you by now...as I am sure they have. Your loving brother, Joe.”

Sergeant Vrba had a son born shortly after he died. The son’s wife posted this message in 2013: “I think of you often. I never got to meet you. I cry sometimes for my husband, your son Raymond. You never got to see him, but I do know you loved him. He never got to know you. You died 1 week before he was born. I know you are proud of the man he has become. I thank you for him. We tell our daughter Alexis about you all the time. You are our hero. Thank you for the sacrifices you made. You are always remembered and loved. We will all see you again!”

Vrba was friends with Sergeant Barry Sadler, famous for his 1966 “Ballad of the Green Berets.” Sadler mentions Vrba in his book “I’m a Lucky One,” and the song of the same name.

Our country can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe to families like these.