Remembering Marine Corporal John Edward Parton on his birthday; KIA Vietnam July 4, 1972

Today is the birthday of an American hero, Marine Corporal John Edward Parton. He would be 67, probably retired and enjoying grandchildren. Instead, he gave his life for our country at age 24 on the Fourth of July 1972 in Vietnam.

Corporal Parton is one of the men profiled in my book, Died on the Fourth of July. He is remembered by many people, including his commanding officer in Vietnam, former Congressman Steve Kuykendall. 

Corporal Parton is part of every speech Kuykendall makes about veterans. Here’s what he said the first time he spoke of Corporal Parton, during a Memorial Day speech in 2008:

“Today, I wanted to specifically remember Corporal John Edward Parton. His family has a special relationship with the Fourth of July.  As a nation, we celebrate our Independence that day. Corporal Parton’s family celebrates a personal loss to themselves and a gift to our Nation.

“We are a grateful nation and the service and sacrifice of Corporal Parton and all the others who have served are posted in the ledger book that records the cost of freedom.”

Although it's been more than 40 years since Corporal Parton died, he is still honored by those who knew him. After the book was published, I recently discovered a remembrance of Corporal Parton posted online by Danny M. Thomas who served with Corporal Parton. In November 2014 he wrote:

“My time with you at MCRD San Diego has had an impact on my life. We trained hard, played hard and committed to our fellow Marines. I share your story at every opportunity! I am proud to have served with you and to have known you. I will never forget you! RIP, Semper Fidelis.”

Corporal John Edward Parton is buried at the Custer National Cemetery in Montana.

Honoring Marine PFC Joseph J. Meyer Jr. on his birthday -- KIA Vietnam July 4, 1969

Today would be the 66^th birthday of Marine PFC Joseph John Meyer Jr., who died in Vietnam at age 20 on the Fourth of July 1969 in an enemy mortar attack. He was from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

It’s been more than 45 years since his death, but he is still remembered and honored by family and friends.

In 2008, when his high school class met for their 40^th reunion, a classmate, Thomas Dunn, posted this message to PFC Meyer on an online memorial wall:

“Well, Joey, we had our 40th class reunion for Cumberland Valley High School, and you were in our thoughts and prayers. You were missed by all and a lot by some. We had a moment of silence and prayer in your memory. Rest in peace and SEMPER-FI Joey.”

His sister, Bonnie Fisher, posted this message in 2002:

“Joe was my brother and my friend. He was one of the greatest guys on earth. He died much too soon and is greatly missed by all his brothers and sisters. He was the kindest person and once you knew Joe you had a friend for life.”

In 2014, his sister, Betty Meyer-Britton wrote:

"PFC Joseph J. Meyer Jr. lost his life on 7/4/69. I lost my brother and best friend that day. Even after all these years, Joe....my love and pride is still carried in my heart."

His father, Joseph J. Meyer Sr., and sister, Barbara Hammaker, wrote in 2002:

"You may be gone but you are always in our thoughts and prayers. Dad and I miss you so much. You were taken young but we can honestly say we are left with many a great memories of you. How you made us laugh, your walk, smile, and how you always went out of your way to help people. Joey you were a great son and a super brother and we are so grateful that God gave us the time he did to spend with you. We are so proud and honored to say yes he was my son or yes he was my brother. Rest in peace Joey, we love and miss you."

And a high school friend, Joyce Dyson, wrote in 1999:

"I was in a foster home back in 1969, living in Mechanicsburg, PA. I remember riding the school bus with Joey and his sisters. Joey's girlfriend, Susan, also rode the bus. Joey and Sue were so much in love. You could always hear them making plans for the future. They were going to get married after they both graduated and moved into the house next to where Joey's parents lived. Then the day came when Joey got the word that he was going to Vietnam. The last thing I remembered was riding in the back of a pickup truck and seeing Joey's sister Barb running as hard as she could up the street screaming that Joey was dead. I will never forget that day. I will always remember how happy Joey was. We all liked Joey, he made everyone laugh. See you in heaven Joey!"

PFC Meyer is buried at the Gettysburg National Cemetery in Pennsylvania.

Marine Lieutenant Dempsey Williams III, first American to die in "ground war" in Vietnam

Yesterday (March 8) marked the 50^th anniversary of the U.S. “combat role” in Vietnam. Americans had been there for a long time prior to that date, and many had died, but they were officially “advisers.” On March 8, 1965, about 3,500 Marines from the 9^th Expeditionary Force went ashore at Da Nang, marking the official beginning of the U.S. ground war. 

No Americans died in Vietnam that day, but one day later, on March 9, 1965, a Marine officer who was already “in country” with the advisory group was killed in action. He was First Lieutenant Dempsey H. Williams III, 25, who was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions. The citation reads:

“The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant Dempsey H. Williams, III (MCSN: 0-82159), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Marine Advisory Unit of the Naval Advisory Group, United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam on 9 March 1965. First Lieutenant Williams was an Assistant Task Force Advisor to Task Force A of the Vietnamese Marine Brigade in the hostile area of Hoai An Village, Bihn Dinh Province, when the Marines were ordered to attack the Viet Cong besieging the town. Plans were made to closely coordinate the strikes of attack aircraft with the advance of ground troops. To be in a better position to observe and coordinate the attack he joined the leading elements of the group. He reached the head of the column as they crossed a bamboo bridge under heavy fire and helped steady the forward Vietnamese troops as in the air strikes were conducted on enemy positions barely twenty-five meters in front of their positions. Although the Vietnamese troops could not understand his shouts as he gave the signal for the assault, they rallied to his example and overran the forward enemy positions. When his unit became pinned down from reinforcing enemy fire, he searched for a smoke grenade to mark their positions for the friendly aircraft but a burst of hostile automatic weapons fire hit him and he died shortly afterwards. Through his knowledge of air-ground coordination techniques, and his shining personal example, he contributed substantially to the relief of the village of Hoai An from Viet Cong attack. His cool courage and gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.”

Lt. Williams was a native of Fayetteville, NC, and was married. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.