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

Remembering Butch Markwell on his birthday; died saving his comrades from grenade

Today would be the 69th birthday of Specialist Fourth Class

Eugene L. "Butch" Markwell of Torrance, California, who was killed in action in Vietnam at age 22 on July 4, 1968. Butch was cut down by enemy fire while saving his comrades from a grenade attack, as described in his posthumous Silver Star citation:

“A numerically superior enemy force launched a massive mortar, rocket, and ground attack against Dau Tieng Base Camp. During the initial contact, Specialist Markwell left the relative safety of his position and moved to the beleaguered perimeter. While placing devastating fire on the Viet Cong, Specialist Markwell was painfully wounded by a grenade. Spotting the communist soldier preparing to throw another grenade inside his bunker, Specialist Markwell, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposing himself to the devastating enemy fire, climbed on top of the parapet and killed the insurgent before he fell mortally wounded.”

Butch's family lived near Chris Mortenson, now a noted ESPN commentator, who was a teenager at the time. Mortenson wrote this remembrance of the day Butch's mother learned of her son's death:

I'll never forget the day that a military service vehicle pulled up next door as I was shooting basketball in the driveway. Two men in uniform got out of the car and walked to the door of Butch's house. Butch's mom, known as ‘Bunny,’ opened the door and let the two men in. Shortly thereafter, I heard the most haunting scream and cry that I can't shake to this very day. 

“Even now, I must honestly reflect that my emotions did not connect with Butch's misfortune as much as it was for the pain of a mother whose heart had been torn apart by the loss of her only son. 

"May God bless that memory and every parent who has lost a son or daughter in serving our country”. 

Butch Markwell is buried at the Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier, California.