Freddie Coffman, Giles "Doc" Gilmer, Michael Melton, Ralph Conners, Walter "Pan" Panamaroff, Donnie Dietz

 FourArmy soldiers are honored 46 years after being Killed in Action in May 1969 in Vietnam.   I served with them as their Company Commander in the 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, and the loss of these four brave men is a constant reminder to me about the horrors of war that many generations of Americans have continued to endure.   Two more men, who did not return home from Vietnam, are important to me to also celebrate their lives and to remember and to honor them.   Army Captain Donnie Dietz was a 1967 West Point graduate.  He was a sports star in Little Rock, Arkansas, and I was only a sports pretender.  We were Captains in the Army in Vietnam at the same time in 1969, but in different units.   He was killed in September 1969. Army First Lieutenant Walter "Pan" Panamaroff was a 1967 Armor Officer Candidate School (OCS) graduate at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  I was one of his OCS classmates.  Pan went to flight school, so he made it to Vietnam as a Huey helicopter pilot.  He was killed in a chopper crash in March 1968. A nice lady once mentioned to me a few years ago in late May on the DART train, when seeing my Vietnam Veteran ball cap, "It's so nice that you have Memorial Day."   After thanking her for her comment, I said, "No, Ma'am.  Memorial Day is for the rest of Americans.  Every day of each year is a Memorial Day to a Combat Vet, who has lost buddies in battle."  - Richard "Dick" Pils, Dallas

Cpt. Donald W. Dietz

SP4 Michael D. Melton

Cpt. Donald Dietz

SP4 Ralph Conners Lt. Walter Panamaroff

SP4 Michael Melton

SP4 Giles "Doc“ Gilmer

Pfc. Freddie Coffman

In a peaceful clearing in a forest not too far from Kassel, Germany, a memorial stands. 119 American Airmen who died on September 27, 1944 are honored, their names listed in bronze. They were part of a bombing mission that day to Kassel and were lost as the 445th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force was literally wiped out by a massive German Fighter attack. 

The four men whose names are highlighted here on that massive boulder were KIA that day. They were part of the Baynham Crew, a young pilot from Texas. The other five members of the crew were captured and were in prison camps or hospitals the last seven months of WWII. Two of the nine man B-24 crew are still alive. Ray Lemons and Jim Baynham, both from Dallas, still survive – James Baynham

Cpt. William H. NationOn January 31, 2015 my extended family commemorated the life of my uncle Captain William H. Nation both in Arlington as well as in Belgium where he is buried. He was drafted into the Army in 1941 after graduating from North Texas Agricultural College (now UTA). It was an all male school at that time, and ROTC was mandatory. Because of that he moved up quickly. He was selected for Infantry OCS followed by Jump School.  He was sent to a new Parachute Infantry Regiment just being formed-  the 508th PIR. He was soon promoted to the Regimental Adjutant position. When deployed  to England in preparation for D-Day,  the Regiment was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division.

We selected January 31st to commemorate Uncle Bill  because that day marked the 70th anniversary of his death. He had jumped into Normandy on D-Day, jumped into Holland during Operation Market Garden, and survived the miserable cold of the Battle of the Bulge only to be killed six days later as the 508th began its surge into Germany for the conclusion of the war in Europe. If he had lived 97 more days, he would have been able to celebrate VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).

On January 31, 2015, we felt it appropriate to have a celebration of his life on the 70th Anniversary of his death. We looked for a way to keep his name alive even to people who did not know him. We decided to initiate an annual college scholarship to be awarded each year to a senior ROTC student at Arlington High School. AHS was appropriate because that is where Bill and all his siblings graduated as did the majority of his nieces and nephews. The scholarship was presented last Monday night to a very appreciative AHS ROTC senior -  Tom Hartin, Addison

WILLIAM HOLSTON

I’m remembering my father, William Holston, 2nd Lieutenant Army Air Corps.Served on Morotai in the South Pacific. A share cropper from Alabama, he never imagined he’d see this much of the world. His crew flew long distance missions over Borneo, Brunei, and Balakpappan. He was a navigator, and used a sextant to shoot the stars to plot their course. When I was a boy, he’d show me the constellations, and I still think of that when I show the constellations to my sons – Bill Holston, Dallas

My Uncle Luther Snipes was an Infantry squad leader in Europe during World War II.  On December 15, 1944, he sent a post card to my great aunt.  It went like this:"Since the last time I wrote you, I have traveled quite a distance.  I think I wrote you while I was in England.  Since then, I have been in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.  I have been in a few battles.  We were in the battle of Guilenkirchen.  I was decorated once and received the Bronze Star.  Please excuse me for not writing often.  I really don't have time."Four days later, on December 19, Uncle Luther was killed in the Battle of the Bulge.  My father, David, was an infantry platoon leader in the Korean War.  It is an understatement to say I am pretty proud of their sacrifices to our great country – Mike Snipes, Colonel, US Army, Reserves (Retired), Dallas

Luther Snipes

Dwight Montgomery Durham - known to family as "Monty" became "Bull" in the jungles of Vietnam.  He was my uncle, just 9 years older than me. An amazingly talented actor and musician who had been selected to attend college on a scholarship to study acting, he instead enlisted in the army at 18. 

He was full of pride and honor to serve his country, first as a parachuting Army Ranger 75th Regiment.  One month shy of his discharge April 10, 1969, at age 19,  he was killed in action in Tah Ninh. The following is taken from his posthumous receipt of the Silver Star :

"When his unit became heavily engaged with a large enemy force, Sergeant Durham, although wounded, exposed himself to the intense hostile fire as he directed the base of fire of his men. Seeing that the radio operator was seriously wounded, Sergeant Durham moved forward and secured the radio. Although heavy enemy fire was then directed at his position, Sergeant Durham directed aerial rocket artillery upon the enemy emplacements, greatly relieving the pressure on his small patrol. He continued to direct supporting fire on the enemy until he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Durham's gallant action was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."   He had risen to the rank of Sergeant, and was known to have entertained his men with song and skits.   I honor his sacrifice and his memory by passing on his name to my son.  I also honor the service of my other uncles Joe Durham, and Eric Olson, my step-father Michael Jordan, MD, who served in the Air Force treating many returning servicemen and women, my cousins, Melissa (Kit) Santiago, Jeff Gruszeczki.  We come from a family that serves and sacrifices.  God bless you all- MarkitaHall-Gumble, McKinney   

Sgt. Samuel L. RussellOn this and every Memorial Day my thoughts turn to my father, Samuel L. Russell, who served our country as a sergeant in the U. S. Army from 1914 to 1918 in Europe during and following World War I.  With a passion he would recount his experiences, and there was a uniqueness to that passion that carried forward into yet another war and throughout his life.

     Born in 1896, Dad would gladly have served in World War II, but being in his mid-forties he would neither be drafted nor otherwise invited to serve his country again.  This was frustrating to him, and my mother would have understood had he somehow managed to serve once more, but that was not to be.  Our home was in Kilgore where my mom taught in high school and my dad worked in the post office.  Dad was surrounded by co-workers, many of whom were drafted into the military or otherwise enlisted.  Envious of them, he recalled his own military service, and things about it that made life away from home more pleasant.  He came upon the idea that he would correspond with each of them regularly, in most cases having no idea as to just where they were, yet confident that his letters would reach them.  While some of his former associates served within the U. S. , and could be reached by addresses naming their particular Camp or Fort within a state, others, serving overseas, for security reasons, were addressed by an APO or FPO (Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office) address with other limited, yet specific details.  I remember my dad, on many a weekend evening, writing letters to his former companions, each one with items that particular guy would most appreciate.  He would share with them local information, never gossipy stuff, yet items he knew would be of interest and keep them in touch, and most of all, he would add personal comments to thank them for their service.  They replied in kind and told him often that the letters were appreciated more than he could ever imagine.  So even though he neither wanted nor expected any reward, he received it nevertheless.

     My dad passed away in 1969 and in his memorial service his efforts were acknowledged, and following that service several of his former associates, even those who had not served in the military, once again came up to me, ,y mother, and my sister Joan and told of their appreciation.  Believe me those were touching moments, and we found it hard to "hold it together".

     So on Memorial Day I think of my dad, who taught me what "patriotism" is all about.  I know he would share the message in a statement of President/General Dwight D. Eisenhower, which goes something like this:  I hope I will always get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes when our flag passes by - Jim Russell, Grand Prairie, TX

Master Sgt. Ernest B. Raxter

I have fond memories of my Dad. He was in the Army and served in the 101st Airborne in World War II and in Korea in 1953. He retired at Ft. Benning, Georgia in October1968. His name was Master Sgt Ernest B. Raxter. Memorial Days were spent going to festivities on the base or watching war movies. In fact, my Dad went to the 50th reunion in Normandy ,France. He was 74, and he and many other men jumped on June 6, 1994. I was able to go with him. The men sang "Airborne All the Way" on the plane. The were all proud men. The memories of that trip are always with me. My Dad died at my home on November 19, 1996. Memorial Days are different now without him. I miss him terribly but I am and was very proud of him. He and many other men made sure we had freedom - Enella Raxter Walters

Lt. Col. Cecil Darnell

My grandfather, Lt. Col. Cecil Darnell (1911-2001), was the bravest, most wonderful man I could ever know.  He served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps during WWII and was charged with flying recon over the Japanese islands.  He flew alone; he flew without any armament over the enemy bases carrying only a camera.  The P-38 (“Devil Tail” as the Japanese referred to it) was the fastest plane at that time.  To make the plane even faster, he had the lead filled paint removed to increase her speed.  I am so very proud to be the descendant of a man who was such an important part in keeping our nation safe during a very frightening time. Peace be to all who served our county well.  And…thank you - Jan Young

I have always loved learning about family history. I remember my great-grand uncle, Sgt .Walter E. Elkins who was killed Sept. 27th, 1918 in the Argonne forest in France. He was first buried in France but then brought back and is buried in Sedalia, Missouri. My great-grandfather, Claude J. Elkins Sr. was gassed in World War I and the effects of the gas eventually took his life in Feb. 1950.

I am grateful for their sacrifice for my freedom - Shannon McKemie, Frisco

Sgt. Walter E. Elkins

Phillip S. Garcia

Phillip S. Garcia, my Dad, served in the Army during World War II. He was a Purple Heart Recipient, serving in both France and Germany. He loved to share his war stories. Although private in his faith, his favorite  story was the following: he had to cross a large field throughout which explosive mines had been laid.

When he reached the other side, one of the servicemen asked him " Where is your companion?" My father responded "I was alone." The serviceman said, "No, there was a young man that walked all the way along with you as you crossed the field." My father answered, "Everyone in my company has been  killed."

My father believed, and our family still believes, that it was an answer to his parents prayers - Yolanda Garcia-Roncal

Frank Gray The handsome young pilot, Frank Gray, gave

"the last full measure of devotion" to his country in Burma on Aug. 5th, 1944. He was transporting a British officer who was sick with malaria in an Airforce Liaison plane. Risking his own safety, Frank Gray landed behind enemy lines in order to ensure the very ill officer had water. As he was fetching the water, Frank was shot and killed by a Japanese sniper. The British officer, having heard the report of the sniper’s rifle, left the plane for the cover of the nearby underbrush. Soon after, a Japanese patrol arrived, ransacked the plane, and set it on fire. Under the cover of darkness the officer ventured out of his hiding place and stumbled into a nearby Burmese village. The villagers nursed him back to health and helped him reach Allied territory. After the war was over Frank’s remains were recovered and taken back to Comanche, Texas to his final resting place in the Gray family plot in the Comanche Cemetery. Years later the British officer sought out Frank Gray's family to relay the tale of Frank's bravery and sacrifice. There is a park dedicated to Frank Gray in Gorman, Texas, and the park will be rededicated on July 4th, 2015 to honor this hero – James Gray

J.W. Carter

The following is a letter my great uncle, JW Carter, wrote to my grandmother Jan. 6th, 1943- on the second page he writes, "what if we do get killed it's not a man on earth that wouldn't be willing to die for his folks at home and a free place to live." He later gave the ultimate sacrifice and was killed in the Solomon Islands. This weekend stop and remember those who gave all – Doug Hall, Dallas