A squad of Vietnam War veterans has launched an effort to commemorate 17 fallen troops with ties to Greene County communities.
Bernard Malone, Tim Broder Sr. and James Sill, all of whom were organizers of the former Northeast USA Vietnam Veterans Reunion Association, are now leading the Northeast USA Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund project to build a “Battle Cross” monument in Greenville’s Veterans Memorial Park at Routes 81 and 32.
The names of 17 troops killed in action will be etched on three granite slabs. The monument will also include a tall pole with a large American flag and two short poles for American flags. Expenses also include installation and landscaping.
The monuments will commemorate:
Marine Cpl. Paul Edward Albano, 22, of Hannacroix, killed in action while serving as a door gunner on the helicopter that was shot down on March 28, 1967.
Marine Pfc. William Michael Bagshaw of Catskill, killed in action while serving as a rifleman with the 1st Marine Division on Feb. 26, 1968. He died 13 days after he arrived in country at 18 years old.
Air Force Airman 1st Class John Irwin Cameron, 22, of Coxsackie, killed in action when his observation aircraft was shot down on Feb. 2, 1966.
Marine Sgt. Norman Wilbur Clearwater of Catskill, killed in action while serving as a rifleman with the 9th Amphibious Brigade on Dec. 27, 1967.
Army 1st Lt. Eugene Jerome Curless Jr., 20, of Medusa, killed in action while on duty as a company commander with the 25th Infantry Division on March 25, 1968.
Marine Cpl. John Francis Dedek, 22, of Oak Hill, killed in action while serving as a rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines on Feb. 22, 1969.
Marine Pfc. William John Dolan, 19, wounded while on duty as a rifleman with the 3rd Marine Division on April 16, 1968, and died April 17, 1968. He is buried in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Tannersville.
Marine Cpl. Ronald Francis Hock, 22, of New Baltimore, killed in action while serving as a rifleman with the 3rd Marine Division on July 31, 1966.
Army Pfc. Arnold Melvin Hull, 20, of Oak Hill, killed in action while serving as light weapons infantryman with the 1st Cavalry Division on Dec. 17, 1966.
Marine Lance Cpl. Paul Lewis, 19, of Saugerties, killed in action while serving as an assault man with the 1st Marine Division, on May 24, 1968.
Army Pfc. James Ronald Oakley, 21, of Grand Gorge, killed in action while serving as a direct fire crewman with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment on Feb. 23, 1968.
Army Sgt. Tunis Rappleyea Jr., 21, of West Kill, killed in action while serving as a direct fire crewman with the 1st Cavalry Division on Nov. 22, 1967.
Army Spc. 4 Michael Joseph Rowcroft, 19, wounded while serving as a medic with the 2nd Battalion, 506 Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division on Aug. 27, 1968. He succumbed to his wounds at age 41. He served as director of the Greene County Veterans Service Agency from 1980 until his death.
Marine Cpl. Robert Bruce Schampier, 19, of Alcove, killed in action while serving with the III Maine Amphibious Force on March 6, 1968.
Army Warrant Officer Mark Vedder Schmidt, 26, of Leeds, killed in action while serving as a helicopter pilot with the 25th Infantry Division on Dec. 27, 1967
Army Spc. 4 Harry Joseph Sickler, 20, of Lanesville, killed in action Nov. 1, 1964 while on duty as a helicopter repairman with the Transportation detachment on Nov. 1, 1964.
Marine Staff Sgt. John Donald Wyszomirski, 28, of Catskill, killed in action while serving as an infantry unit leader with the 1st Marine Division on Aug. 12, 1966.
Location:
P.O. Box 326
Freehold , New York 12431
Contact Information:
Terry Brown
nevietvets199@yahoo.com00000000