Sept 7 casualties in Vietnam

[flightdoc]

Thanks. I think about my brother in arms everyday

vin

[namvet]

JOHNNIE WOODROW KELLEY


LCPL - E3 - Marine Corps - Selective Service

Length of service 1 years
Casualty was on Sep 4, 1967
In THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered

Panel 25E - Line 102

Johnnie was my high school buddy, we did almost everything together. A bunch of us (3) were going to enlist, but at the last moment his dad got him a Job at the big factory in town and many young men working there got deferments, so he took the job. I left for basic on Feb 9, 1966 and he went to work. That fall I was home on leave prior to shipping for Viet Nam, I saw John and we had a great laugh, seems his deferment fell thru and when he went for his physical, they had every other man step forward, and then said you are now US Marines. So I left for Nam and he went to Marine Basic. I went over by troop ship, took 28 days to cross the ocean. I got a couple of letters, then some that he was up north someplace had been wounded but was fine and returning to his outfit. Two weeks later I got a newspaper clipping from home, telling of his death. Then within about two more weeks I was on my way home.....the first thing I did was go see his mother. I shall never forget that day.

[oldbikers]

Bob thank you posting this, all thou I was in the Army during Vietnam I did not go because my brother and I were the only two adult males in our family and my brother volunteered for 3 tours so his little brother wouldn't have to go! He's is gone now but I think about him every day.

[radco]

We will NEVER forget our Vets.. AND too bad they were not care for in the 60s and 70s like they are now.... THANKYOU all Veterans Past,Present and future.........

[sarge1057]

Thank You All Who Serve Reading these posts brigs tears to my eyes :'(

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Bob, thanks for the post. Glad you made it back safely. Vietnam was a terrible place. So many young men running scared.