On the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon and the end of American involvement in the Vietnam War, The TAB’s Jim Morrison provides details of about two very worthy commemorative events this week.
Jim’s article also references 24 Newton soldiers who never came back from the Vietnam War. I’ve been trying to find an online list of just Newton’s 24 and if anyone can help please provide a link in the comments. But here is a list of all those lost from Massachusetts and here’s info to register for the salute to our Vietnam Veterans dinner.
Simply, I recognize a few of those last names.
A plaque in Newton City Hall lists the following 23 men from Newton who died, were Killed in Action or are listed as Missing in Action during the Vietnam War.
Sp5. Richard William Cardinali, Army
Lcpl. Rupert Sadler Carven, III, Marine, KIA
Sgt. Warren Dixon, Air Force, KIA
Cpl. Paul Hubert Dunne, Jr., Army, KIA
Wo. Robert Clark Ferris, Army
Sgt. John Patrick Flood, Jr., Army, KIA
Pfc. Richard Joseph Forte, Army, KIA
Lt. Joseph Gales Greenleaf, Navy, KIA
Capt. Daniel Wilder Kent, Marine, KIA
Cpt. Peter Shell Kleinberg, Army
Cpl. Richard Allen Likely, Army, KIA
Sp4 Frederick Joseph McLaughlin, Army,
Pfc. James Harold McMahon, Marine, KIA
Cpl. John Butler Murray, Marine, KIA
Cwo. Walter James O’Neil, Army
Sgt. Enrico Henry Pagnano, Jr., Marine, KIA
Pfc. James Jospeh Rice, Marine, KIA
Pfc. William Wallace Richard, Army, KIA
Lcpl. Robert Townsend Steinsieck, Jr., Marine, KIA
Pvt. Arthur Stroyman, Army, KIA
Sgt. Francis Xavier Turbert, Air Force, KIA
Maj. Ralph Chester Wight, Jr., Army, KIA
Col. Blair C. Wrye, Air Force, MIA
Cpl. Richard Allen Likely, Army, KIA
I professionally knew Nikki Likely, his mother, one of the directors of the local “Gold Star Mothers.”
Dave, thank you for posting the 23 names here on V14. It is good that the city is remembering these 23 individuals, who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. I went to grade school with Richard Likely, and James Rice was one of the “older kids” in the N’ville neighborhood. I hope that in addition to recognizing these brave soldiers, Monday’s speakers will recognize the other sacrifices made by fellow Newton citizens.
While 23 were killed in Vietnam, others died because of their service in Vietnam. One specific young man was Peter Reidy, who grew up in the house next to Newton High School Building 3 (now next to the main entrance to NNHS). Peter died at the age of 29. He had served as a Green Beret, which meant he went on special missions. While on some of these non-standard missions he was inadvertently sprayed with agent orange by our own airplanes. This was linked to his development of cancer and subsequent early death.
For the last several years as I care for my father, a veteran of WWII, I have regularly visited the multiple local VA hospitals. It is emotionally difficult yet inspiring to meet the veterans as they receive their medical care, much of which initiated because of events occurring while serving our country.
We need to remember all of those who have sacrificed for us.
Great post, Patrick and thanks to David Olsen for sharing the list of names of those who lost their lives in the Vietnam War.
What a great idea to salute our brave soldiers who did not come home. My high school classmate and friend Sgt. Rico Pagnano did not come home after three tours of duty in Viet Nam.
Jane, thank you for your compliment. I believe we need to remember and appreciate all who made a sacrifice.
Rick Likely was my best friend in High School. I love riding in his GTO. I got him a job working with me at a local Sunoco gas station. We had a great time – probably too much horsing around. Ricky asked me to join the Army with him on the Buddy plan, but I was attending Newton Junior College at the time. I later joined the USAF and went to the Vietnam theater. I joined the Army Reserves after discharge and finished college. Stayed in the Reserves and served two tours in Iraq and one Afghanistan support tour. I now have stage 4 prostate cancer probably from Agent orange exposure. Hope to see Ricky again on the other side. All these years and I never stopped thinking about him. Ricky was a smart, ambitious and honorable guy and always known what was right and stood by his convictions. He was one of the good guys and would have done very well had he returned.
Steve: Thanks for sharing that about Rick Likely and thank you for your service. Very sorry to hear that you are not well. All the best to you.
I was a boyhood friend of Arthur Stroyman. He was a very nice kid, and fun to be around. I miss him, to this day.
I was in High School with Rich Forte. We used to walk home together. A nice guy and a very good friend. I found out about his death at the draft board after I returned from active duty in the Army as a helicopter crew chief and door gunner. Rick Likely was a student with me at Newton Jr College in ’69 and then the Army called. He was an Infantry 11B “Shake and bake” and then got orders to Vietnam as an NCO. I remember in April 71 hearing of his death establishing a Night Defensive Position (NDP) setting off a mine–such a terrible waste leaving behind a wife and daughter.