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.