Memorial Day Remembrance ~The Pacifica boys

This is a repost. 

Our town was rocked when the first young man was killed in Vietnam in 1966. 

I was 11 years old and I remember seeing my dad cry for the first time. 

My dad had served in Korea - and he knew...

18 years old at the time of his loss

 Lawrence Eugene Foster

Private
D CO, 1ST BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Pacifica, California

June 23, 1947, to May 22, 1966

Lawrence was in the Marines, for less than a year and he was a Rifleman.

21 years old

Robert Erven Curry

Lance Corporal
FLSU 1, 3RD SVC BN, FLSG ALPHA, FORCE LOG CMD, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Pacifica, California
August 06, 1945, to December 31, 1966

It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. This prayer is a way for families, friends, and fellow veterans to remember our fallen brothers and sisters.

Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die

_______

21 years old

James Stanley Bernard Childers

Lance Corporal
HMM-263, MAG-16, 1ST MAW, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Pacifica, California
August 29, 1946, to February 15, 1967

Stan was nicknamed, "Stan the Man" as he was a popular high school athlete at my high school.  I did not know Stan personally, I did know his younger siblings and cousins.

  It was starting to get very close to home. 

20 years old

** Medford Adarine Chrysler **

Private First Class
1ST PLT, A CO, 1ST BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Pacifica, California,
January 25, 1947, to July 02, 1967

 It was a beautiful July morning - everybody was out in the front yard when we saw a black limousine slowly drive past - looking for an address. My Mom instantly knew - the neighbors gathered in the middle of the street - Then we heard the most awful sound I have ever heard - Med's mother let out an anguished wail. He was her firstborn son. 

I was good friends with his sisters - he was part of our neighborhood gang of kids  In the summer we would all play hide and seek, knock on doors and run away or sit in the back of a pickup truck and talk.

We had just seen him in December - I still have that last time etched in my memory. 

His was the first military funeral I had ever been to. It made a lasting impression on me as well as my other friends. At the cemetery, his mom threw herself on his flag-draped coffin -

You just don't forget something like that. 

And then it just continued...

21 years old

James Edward Walker, Jr

Private First Class
D CO, 1ST BN, 7TH CAVALRY, 1ST CAV DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Pacifica, California
February 26, 1947, to April 29, 1968

"They grow not old, as we who remain to grow old, age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn, at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them. We shall remember them."

19 years old 

George Angelo Cabano, Jr

Private First Class
G CO, 2ND BN, 26TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF
United States Marine Corps
Pacifica, California
July 25, 1949, to October 03, 1968

In Loving Memory ... PFC. GEORGE ANGELO CABANO, JR.

You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in your family and those who knew you and loved you. You will live on because we remember you!

20 years old

Robert William Compton

Sergeant
C CO, 3RD BN, 1ST INFANTRY, 11TH INFANTRY BDE, AMERICAL DIV, USARV
Army of the United States
Pacifica, California
August 02, 1949, to May 12, 1969

Robert William Compton was serving his country during the Vietnam War when he gave his all in the line of duty. He had enlisted in the United States Army. He began his tour on December 6, 1967. Compton had the rank of Sergeant. His military occupation or specialty was Tactical Communication Chief. Attached to 11th Light Infantry Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry, C Company.

This was his 2nd tour. 

22 years old

George Francis Patterson

Specialist Four
A TRP, 1ST SQDN, 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY, USARV
Army of the United States
Pacifica, California
December 26, 1948, to April 01, 1970

Cause of death: Hostile, died. Small Arms Fire. Gun or small arms fire. George Francis Patterson was killed while at an artillery firing position when the area came under attack by a hostile force. / On reconnaissance patrol. Engaged hostile force in the firefight.

19 years old

Johnny Bryan White

Private First Class
154TH TRANS CO, 4TH TRANS CMD, ARMY SPT CMD SAIGON, 1ST LOG CMD, USARV
Army of the United States
Pacifica, California
January 21, 1951, to April 16, 1970

In Vietnam not even a full month 

CASUALTY DATA: Start Tour: 03/19/1970 Incident Date: 04/16/1970 Casualty Date: 04/16/1970 Age at Loss: 19 

19 years old

David George Mc Kay

Specialist Four
B CO, 53RD SIG BN, II FIELD FORCE, USARV
Army of the United States
Pacifica, California
March 04, 1951, to June 04, 1970

_______

21 years old

John Al Premenko

Sergeant
CCS, MACV-SOG, 5TH SF GROUP, USARV
Army of the United States
Pacifica, California
August 11, 1949, to August 14, 1970

Sgt. Premenko was a Green Beret (Special Forces). That was quite an accomplishment. He also had a wife, an 18 month old son and a 4-day-old son. 

_______

TOGETHER AGAIN. 

Medford and his parents are buried together - they share the headstone - Medford on the front, his parents, Adarine and Vivian on the back.