More information at https://news.gsu.edu/:
While many Americans are familiar with the Vietnam War, less is known about the Secret War in Laos, a hidden chapter that played a pivotal role during that era. Thanks to the efforts of Georgia State University anthropology alumna Susan Caolo (M.A. ’15), these untold stories are now coming to the forefront.
The Media Arts: Changing Lives Through Film project has posted a video interview with Bob Miyaski:
During the video, Bob walks through his service including two tours in Vietnam.
The Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) has an updated list their 2009 press releases related to identification of missing soldiers and airmen from the Korean War, World War II, and Vietnam.
The DPMO also maintains a comprehensive list of POW/MIA links.
UPI has a pointer to a monument in Cincinnati to honor the service of over 4,000 dogs during the Vietnam War. The article notes that only 200 returned home from their service.
Below is Veteran Stories Podcast's weekly summary of the latest veteran related stories of potential interest to our listeners:
The Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation is according to their Chairman George "Bud" Day headed to court to try to tell their stories of being POWs during the Vietnam War.
The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) has announced that the remains of Lt. Cmdr. James E. Plowman (USN), who was listed missing in action (MIA) from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
The offical record:
On March 24, 1967, Plowman and a fellow officer departed the USS Kitty Hawk in their A-6A Intruder on a night strike mission of an enemy target in North Vietnam. Radar contact with their aircraft was lost over the Ha Bac Province as they were departing the target area. A pilot from another aircraft reported two missile warnings on his radar screen immediately before contact was lost with Plowman's aircraft.
Between 1993 and 1996, joint U.S.-Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), conducted three investigations in the province. The team interviewed two local villagers who saw the 1967 crash, and both men recalled seeing human remains at the site. The team also surveyed the purported crash site and found several small fragments of aircraft wreckage.
In 1996, another joint U.S./S.R.V. team excavated the suspected crash site. The team found human remains from amid the scattered wreckage. The team was also handed some remains by a local villager who claimed to have recovered it while scavenging the crater for metal.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory also used mitochondrial DNA in the identification of the remains.
The American Legion has started a new program called 'Hometown Heros' to encourage local American Legion posts to support returning troops and veterans to their local communities. [emilitary]
The Vietnam Memorial mini-replica called the 'Moving Wall' is in Madison, WI through 9-11-06. [capitaltimes]
North Valley Stand Down Association is dedicated to helping homeless veterans get back on their feet and reconnect them with their families. [chicoenterpriserecord]
WWII Army Medic Wilson "Will" Rouke recently got his earned Bronze Star and Purple Hearts delivered to him. The article on Rouke, also mentions a great short blurb about WWII veteran Robert White, and his D-Day experiences that have led to an official letter and an award from the French government. [townonline]
Lastly, to follow up on the sad story of a recent murder of Vietnam Vet Barney Goodman, the AP Wire is reporting that two men are in custody for his murder.
The Royal Oak Memorial Society is planning a re-dedication ceremony of Veteran's War Memorial that will include 26 new names based on some additional research by John Wendland. [detroit free press]
AP Wire is reporting that WWII US Navy veteran Roy Camero is finally getting his medals that he earned. These include: "World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Honorable Service lapel pin, and an Honorable Discharge button."
Afghanistan veteran Craig Fitzgerald shares his stories of rehabilitation with WCAX. He is currently on a fund-raising tour for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes to help raise funds those who return to the United States after service in Iraq or Afghanistan with serious injuries. [newsday]
The Bedford Bulletin has a very interesting and historical interview piece with retired Air Force Brigadier General Roger Smith. During his service he was: launch officer for a Titan II missile; stationed with leadership positions at Whiteman Air Force Base; assigned to the North American Aerospace Defense Command center at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado, and part of the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) treaty negotiations with the Soviets during the 1980s.
Lastly, some notices on Veterans passing crossed the newswire:
The Times Leader notes "honorably discharged Merchant Marine veterans of World War II are eligible for a one-time, $500 cash bonus from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs."
Vietnam Veterans of America Post 278 recently hosted a 13th annual Ride to Remember for Korea/Vietnam War Memorial in Texarkana, TX (very close to AK).
Rain did not stop a recent veteran's ceremony at Elyria Veterans Memorial in Elyria, Ohio. World War II veteran Don Pond gave a speech on his experiences being shot down and captured over Germany in WWII. [chronicle-telegram]
Frank Pimentel of Exeter, NH is getting is WWII dog tags lost 60 yeas ago on Christmas Island in the South Pacific. [sun-chronicle]
George Johnson the last living World War I veteran in California has died at the age of 112. [google] Other veteran passings include: