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.

Steve Conto's Wisconsin Vietnam Memorial Wall

Steve Conto of Menasha, Wisconsin is one of the “Keepers of the Flame” who is profiled in my book, “Died on the Fourth of July.” For more than 10 years he has been on a quest to find and record the graves of all 1,247 men from Wisconsin who died in Vietnam. He calls it “The Final Bridge.”

Today I got the most amazing email from Steve. For the third time he has erected his own Wisconsin Vietnam Memorial Wall at his home for Memorial Day. Here’s the story, in his own words, along with some photos.

After months of hard work, I was finally able to put up my Wisconsin Vietnam Memorial Wall today in my front yard. My legs, back and shoulders are sore but well worth it. The wall will be up till May 30th.  My address is 1031 Elmwood Dr. Menasha, WI.  This marks the 3rd year I have put it up in my yard over Memorial Day.  This is the first year I included all the names from Wisconsin.  I added over 800 names this year.  I've calculated that there is over 500 feet of label tape on the wall.  Each name is listed on the panel number that corresponds to the wall panel in DC as well as the line they are on, on that panel.    

The wall lists all of the 1247 sons we lost.  31 are MIAs, 1/2 were 20 or 21 years old, 34 are buried in Arlington, 220 were teenagers, 6 served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. They are buried in 28 states outside of Wisconsin, including Mexico and Puerto Rico. 

I don't know if anyone has ever done this. I just wanted them to be honored and remembered for their family, friends and comrades.  

Respectfully,

Steve Conto
The Final Bridge