Following World War II, the United States Armed Forces fought in two undeclared wars, joining forces from the United Nations and Allied countries. The US sent more than 1.5 million American troops to the Asian peninsula to fight combined forces of North Korea and China from 1950 to 1953. And in Vietnam, American advisors joined the fight in the early 1960s and a total of 550,000 engaged before the conflict’s end in 1974.
In this post, we’re remembering and sharing the stories of Korea and Vietnam heroes buried at Marietta National Cemetery who received the Silver Star. In a previous post, we’re written the stories of two Medal of Honor recipients and two Distinguished Service Cross recipients also buried at Marietta National. And we did a post honoring Silver Star recipients from World War I and World War II.
According to the US Department of Defense, the Silver Star “is awarded for gallantry in action:
- While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
- While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.”
Using FindAGrave.com and Fold3.com databases for primary research, we identified a total of 15 Korea and Vietnam heroes buried at Marietta National Cemetery who had received the Silver Star for heroism and valor. All the Korea and Vietnam heroes receiving the Silver Star died in combat.
For some, we were able to find and include the Silver Star citations or details about Korea and Vietnam heroes Silver Star, which describe in detail the harsh battle conditions and heroic actions of these heroes. But for other Korea and Vietnam heroes receiving the Silver Star, despite our best efforts, we only found scant amounts of information.
Following is the list of Korea and Vietnam heroes receiving the Silver Star that we’ve identified at Marietta National Cemetery, all of whom were killed in action:
LCPL Henry Ballew Jr., a Georgia native, died in Vietnam, 27 July 1969, while serving in the US Marines. Ballew was awarded the Silver Star “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam,” his award citation said. It continued: “ As Lance Corporal Ballew’s squad was crossing a stream, the Marines came under intense hostile automatic weapons fire. Reacting instantly, he fired at the enemy and killed one of the hostile soldiers. Realizing the danger to several of his men who were still in the water, Lance Corporal Ballew unhesitatingly rushed up the stream toward the enemy firing his weapon and simultaneously directing the actions of his men. Fearlessly providing protective fire to cover the movement of squad members, Lance Corporal Ballew continued his selfless actions in the face of intense enemy fire until he was mortally wounded.” He was awarded the Silver Star, and Purple Heart, in addition to earning other honors. He is buried in Section R Site 129.
2nd Lt Earle John Bemis, a Georgia native, died 1 Jun 1969, in Chau Doc Province, Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on June 1, 1969 while serving with the US Army Advisory Team 84, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam in Southeast Asia. He rests in Section R Site 125.
HMC Robert Lewis Brown, a Georgia native, died 26 JAN 1967, while serving as a hospital corpsman in the US Navy on a reconnaissance patrol operating deep in Viet Cong-controlled territory. When his unit was hit with intense enemy fire, Brown moved forward to aid his patrol leader. Learning that there was another wounded Marine on the trail approximately thirty meters from his position, Chief Petty Officer Brown again exposed himself to the heavy volume of enemy fire to render assistance. Unable to move the wounded man, he remained in an exposed position and continued to give medical aid for approximately five minutes, following which he organized and assisted in the removal of the Marine casualty to a cleared area for evacuation. Shortly after arrival in the evacuation zone, Chief Petty Officer Brown was himself mortally wounded. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart, along with other awards. He previously had served in the Korean War. He is buried in Section U Site 339.
CWO Francis Lekirklas “Toby” Griffin, a native of South Carolina, died 1 FEB 1968, while serving as a helicopter pilot for the 62nd Battalion of the 1st Aviation Brigade in the US Army in Vietnam. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. He also was awarded the Air Medal with 28 Oak Leaf Clusters, according to his headstone. He rests in Section G, 8300-D.
Capt Lee Elridge Grimsley, an Alabama native, died 16 APR 1971, in Vietnam as a member Adv Team #162 of the US Army. Grimsley was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal and other commendations. He is buried in Section 8, 8927-A.
Corp Richard Preston Hodges, a native of Georgia, died 22 FEB 1969, while serving with the US Marines in Vietnam. According to his Silver Star citation, “On 22 February 1969, Company A was conducting a search and destroy operation in a densely wooded area of A Shau Valley in Quang Tri Province when the Marines came under a heavy volume of mortars, automatic weapons fire, and rocket grenades from a hostile unit occupying well-fortified emplacements. Realizing the need for immediate action, Corporal Hodges fearlessly exposed himself to the intense enemy fire as he initiated an aggressive assault upon an enemy machine gun position and, overrunning the objective, silenced the hostile fire from that location. Alertly observing several enemy soldiers approaching his unit’s left flank, he fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to counter the hostile threat to his comrades and was seriously wounded. Ignoring his painful injuries and mustering his last available strength before succumbing to his wounds, he threw a hand grenade which killed three enemy soldiers. His heroic and timely actions inspired all who observed him and saved his companions from serious injury or possible death. He was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and other commendations. He rests in Section R, Site 117.
1st Lt Richard Ancil Holt, a native of Georgia, died 6 JUN 1968, while serving with the US Army near Quang Tin. Vietnam. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart, and honored with other military awards. He rests in Section R, Site 108
Capt Julius Patrick Jaeger, a native of California, died 6 APR 1970, in Vietnam, a pilot in the US Air Force. Capt. Jaeger was assigned to The 457th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing. Their mission was to support US and allied ground forces which primarily included Special Forces camps along the Cambodian border. In April 1970, one of these outposts, A-245, at Dak Seang was taken under siege. The NVA committed four regiments and several supporting battalions to the battle. CAPT Jaeger courageously volunteered to fly his unarmed C-7A transport into intense enemy fire to airdrop desperately needed supplies. After successfully delivering his valuable cargo, Jaeger’’s plane was hit and destroyed, killing all three aboard. His mission helped to repel the enemy and save the camp. He was awarded the Silver Star, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and Purple Heart. He rests in Section U Site 165.
LT Travis Bertrand Lee Jr., a Georgia native, died 17 APR 1969, while serving in Vietnam with the US Army Combat Engineer Unit Command. Lieutenant Lee distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 17 April 1969 while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company C, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, during a mission in Dinh Tuong Province. After setting up in a night position, Lieutenant Lee’s platoon came under enemy attack. Continually exposing himself to enemy fire, he repositioned his men in a more secure defense perimeter, and then directed air and artillery fire until the enemy was driven back. Then, later in the night, the enemy renewed their attack. Disregarding his own personal safety, Lieutenant Lee moved among his platoon giving instructions and encouraging his men, until he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart, along with other commendations. He rests in Section R, Site 120.
Capt Roy Marshall “Butch” McWilliams, died 20 JAN 1967, while serving as an infantry unit commander in the Army Rangers near Quang Tin, Vietnam. McWilliams had served eight years in the Army, and was qualified as a member of the Army Rangers special forces, expert marksman and paratrooper. He was awarded with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, along with other honors.
Maj Larry Gene Powell, a native of Georgia, died 22 NOV 1967, while serving in the 44th Medical Brigade of US Army in Vietnam. He had been in the service for eight years at the time of his death. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, and an Army Commendation Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster, along with other commendations. He rests in SECTION U SITE 310.
1SGT Joseph Wilfred Rounseville, a native of Rhode Island, died 9 FEB 1968, while serving in the US Army in Vietnam with Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. He was cited for extraordinary heroism in close combat. While moving his platoon through dense jungle and into an assault position, Platoon Sergeant Rounseville received intense hostile fire. He immediately maneuvered his platoon up a hill against an estimated Viet Cong squad which was supported by a machine gun. Platoon Sergeant Rounseville repeatedly exposed himself to the hostile fire by moving along the assault line and directing his men. He then led his platoon forward while firing his weapon and throwing hand grenades. Platoon Sergeant Rounseville killed at least three Viet Cong, and his platoon completely routed the insurgents from their fortified positions. Sgt Rounseville was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and Purple Heart, along with receiving other military honors. He is buried in Section G, 7836-A
HN James Curtis Tarrance, a native of Florida, died 4 DEC 1968, while serving as a Corpsman with Company I, Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines, FIRST Marine Division in Vietnam. Company I was participating in Operation MEADE RIVER south of DaNang when the Second Platoon came under a heavy volume of machine gun fire from a hostile bunker complex approximately twenty meters to their front and sustained numerous casualties. Reacting immediately, Hospitalman Tarrance left his position of relative safety and fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to the side of a wounded Marine. Placing himself between the source of enemy fire and the injured man, he ignored the hostile rounds impacting around him and was skillfully administering first aid when he was mortally wounded. His heroic actions and calm presence of mind inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in saving the life of his companion. He was awarded the Silver Star Bronze Star and Purple Heart, along with other commendations. He is buried in Section U, Site 477.
Capt Arthur Henry Truxes Jr., a native of Tennessee and resident of Georgia, died 30 NOV 1950, while serving in the US Army in the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division of the US Army in Korea.. Previously, he was stationed in Tokyo in 1950 and had received orders to return to the U.S. to train for the 1952 Olympic Games as he had been selected as the Army’s entry in the pentathlon. With the outbreak of the Korean War, he requested that his orders be changed to an assignment in Korea.Truxes, commanding officer of “F” Company, 1st Cavalry Division through the fighting around Sinchang, for was killed in action as U.N. forces continued to resist the Chinese assault. He was awarded the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart and other commendations. He rests in SECTION Q SITE 120-A.
Cpl William Overton Winston, a native of Connecticut and resident of Georgia, died 1 AUG 1967, as a forward observer with Company C, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division of the US Marines in Vietnam. Corporal Winston unhesitatingly assumed control of the second platoon’s left flank when he observed that the platoon commander and a squad leader had sustained wounds. While the platoon sergeant was heavily engaged on the right of the platoon sector, Corporal Winston ably directed a heavy volume of fire against the enemy. On four separate occasions during the action, he fearlessly exposed himself to the intense hostile fire to carry wounded Marines to positions of relative safety. After removing the casualties from the unprotected area, he continued to expose himself to the heavy fire to deploy his men in the center of the company’s defenses. His heroic and timely actions at great personal risk were an inspiration to all who observed him and were instrumental in preventing further injury to four Marine casualties. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart along with other commendations. He is buried in Section D Site 2363-D.
Other Marietta National Cemetery Posts
This is one of a series of stories we’ve done about US service personnel buried at Marietta National Cemetery. You can find our other stories at this link:
