Steve Dibb Class of 1963 |
Dick Carter Class of 1964 |
Mark Schmiel Class of 1965 |
Randy Woolcott Class of 1966 |
Vince Mager Class of 1966 |
Jay (Flash) Ulrich Class of 1966 |
Russ Schwartz Class of 1967 |
Randy Molkentine Class of 1967 |
John Fox Class of 1968 |
Pete Schmidt Class of 1968 |
John Carroll Class of 1968 |
Peter Schmidt was a gunner on a Huey helicopter & had volunteered to pick up friendlies' in Laos & was a casualty after it crashed on 8/15/1970. |
John was killed in November of 1970 when the plane he was being deployed in to Viet Nam crashed on takeoff. |
(Jay Ulrich) I had a friend who I played softball with, Randy Ward. His dad needed a new porch and while working on it at 70th & Mt. Vernon, Verleane Ulrich, asked if i'd do some work on her house. I agreed and the 1st day at lunch, she gave me a Milwaukee Journal article, 'THEY CALLED HIM FLASH' about her son's death in Viet Nam and about his life growing up. It was a very moving article and Verleane then asked me what I thought. After that day we became friends and over the years I did work for her, Mr. Ward and two widows on the corner as well. Verleane would always tell me stories about Jay & her daughter Vyrella. I met Vyrella one summer while she was visiting from Texas & I was working on the house. She told me the other side of Jay popping wheelies down Bluemound Rd on his motorcycle & on his only leave in Viet Nam he traveled to Australia and spent his leave helping the mechanics in the motor pool work on vehicles. Verleane told me after his death that an old neighbor lady approached her and mentioned that during a heavy snowfall while Jay was in high school, she just got out the door with her shovel & lifted 2 shovels full of about 10 inches of snow & out of nowhere Jay appeared. He was on his way to school & took the shovel out her hand & did the whole walk & driveway. She said she had $5.00 in her hand & asked if that was enough & he flipped the shovel in the snow, waved & ran off to school. My buddy Randy Ward (who has now passed) told me Jay was just a neat guy. - Todd Zietlow |
Paul Kopac's Memorial Letter to a Fallen Marine. Sgt. Stephen K. Dibb A Final Tribute Today, August 2, 1966, I, a U.S. Marine Corp veteran of WWII, and now 40 years old, paid tribute and last respects to Sgt. Stephen K. Dibb, a Marine Veteran of Vietnam who on July 21, 1966, in the hot filthy jungles of Vietnam, and against an enemy unknown to most of us, gave up his young life. Steve was only 20 years old. He died for his Country and all of us, believing that he was out there doing his duty in trying to make this a better world to live in. This afternoon I took my last look at him as he lay in his final sleep, and I just couldn't help but see myself in his place about 22 years ago, or my son, who is approaching draft age. I too had enlisted at the age of 17 and wanted to fight for my Country because it was in trouble.Yes, I was picturing myself - in Steve's place there. One by one, the 20 members of the Marine Honor Guard apprached the casket, saluted one final time and left. A Navy Chaplain followed this with a most beautiful obituary for Stephen and his young life that came to an end so suddenly The ride out to the cemetary was a long and solemn one. As we passed people, I could not help but notice how unconcerned they all seemed. At the cemetary, the Marine Honor guard carried Steve in his casket to the burial place. Two rows of Marines lined the route. Here, once again, the Navy Chaplain said some beautiful prayers for the soul of Stephen Dibb. I stood up close, biting my lip, and fighting back the tears as the Marine Honor Guard saluted Stephen with three volleys from their muffled rifles as if all were just one. The beautiful, but lonely, sound of Taps echoed across the cemetary and the surrounding countryside, as the American Colors, which had draped the casket, were folded and handed over to Stephens father. Mr. and Mrs. Dibb had gone through this ordeal in sorrow that cannot be described. Their youngest boy, they gave to Uncle Sam, a very energetic and healthy son. Now he had been returned to them, broken and lifeless. As the graveside service ended, all present turned and began drifting away. One lone figure stood before Stephen's casket, dressed in a blue Air force uniform, with brand new 2nd Lt. Bars on the shoulders. It was Phillip, brother of Stephen, a June graduate from the Air force Academy and now in training to be a jet pilot. Phillip gave his younger brother, Stephen, his final salute - and I want to tell you that I let the tears come freely. A final farewell to his brother who showed such courage in his 2nd tour of duty in Vietnam. I stood there alone and marveled at the way Stephen's mother and dad gave up their youngest son to history; and now Phillip, his older brother (by just a couple of years) undoubtedly must have made a solemn promise to Steve with that final farewell salute! Twenty years ago I thought we had finally ended wars for good. But our young men are still out there fighting, for what? Commitments? Promises to protect other nations? I still have the faith in our Country that I had when I enlisted 23 years ago, but I am more determined than ever to see that our young boys and young men get the necessary tools, and the necessary help in manpower aid in the front lines to see the war through, without holding back. Yes, today I paid my final tribute to Stephen K. Dibb, Sgt. U.S.M.C. And, God, if you were looking upon this scene today, I know you must be proud of Steve's parents for giving Steve back to you. You must have had a new assignment for him in heaven and so you called for him, and he has checked in. Steve, is a real, honest-to-goodness boy and a Marine, so please God, take care of him! Sincerely, Paul Kopac A Marine Veteran |
(Russell Schwartz) I and a couple of Russ' lifelong friends were standing at Russ' grave at Wood National Cemetary during the Funeral service. As I listened to the service and looked at his casket and then was looking around, it hit me, at that same moment we all looked at each other and whispered Leftfield to one another........ When we were kids, this was an open field with nowhere near the graves now filling the cemetary. We played baseball here. To this day I cry thinking about that moment. Russ' final resting place is just about where Leftfield was when we were kids............ Russ always wanted to play in Lefttfield when we played baseball there. - Carl Galle |
If you would like to share any memories or stories below, you are more than welcome to. Email to > donovan_koeberl@yahoo.com |
(These are all left to Richard Carter on a Military Memorial site) You were the first in our company to give his life. Unfortunately, you were not the last. I often think about you. We named a 'turn-about' after you, since you were the best co's driver in the company! Posted by: Andy Begosh Email: taxman@erols.com Relationship: member of his company Thursday, June 17, 1999 Rarely does a day go by that I do not remember your sacrifice. You extended your term "in country" to stay my driver. I wish to God that you had not. Why wouldn't you sandbag your side of the jeep?? as though it would have helped. The 40 lb box mine hit your (driver) side front wheel. I thank God that you did not feel it. We named the "new" turn around at French Fort for you, but I guess Charlie owns it all now. It has taken me 32 years to go see the Wall, but I just saw the traveling wall here at Fort Bragg. YOU ARE MISSED. THANK YOU FOR BEING MY DRIVER. Posted by: John T. Hardy, Jr. LTC, EN, USAR (Ret) Email: john_hardy@msn.com Relationship: Company Commander to Driver Friday, July 16, 1999 You went North and I went South that day. Co B 588th Engineers was assigned to road building north of Nui Ba Dinh mountain. Our Company was camped about 7 clicks north of NBD. Each morning we mine sweeped north and south. You and CPT Hardy went north and later I saw the smoke and rescue medevac helo. CPT Hardy survived. God rest your soul, Richard. Posted by: Timothy Richards, CPT EN (Ret.) Email: inspectorT@earthlink.net Relationship: God Bless your Family Saturday, May 10, 2008 After searching for you for 41 years, I finally found your grave site, Richard. I found your obituary in the Madison paper. That gave me the funeral home who gave me the phone# of a local florist. The Sheriff gave me directions to New Chester and the County Veteran Service Office insured everything looked good. There is a beautiful wreath on your grave for memorial Day. And I did that from California with the cooperation of many good Wisconsin people. "We honor your courage and we do not forget" The men from Bravo Company, 588th Engineers, Vietnam 5/26/08 Posted by: Timothy Richards, CPT EN (Ret.) Email: inspectorT@earthlink.net Relationship: We served together, Vietnam Wednesday, May 28, 2008 |