Danbury Area Vietnam War Memorial
1964 Vietnam War 1975
Dedicated this 29th day of May 1988 by the people of the greated Danbury area to those men and women who served their country during the Vietnam War.
This memorial symbolizes the courage and sacrifices made by individuals as well as the humanity and compassion shown towards the people, and in particular, the children of the Republic of Vietnam.
Bethel
Harold F. Gentile, Cpl, USA KIA 6/24/68
Gary C. Griswold, PFC, USMC KIA 10/14/67
William B. Mitchell, PFC, USMC KIA 11/3/65
Brookfield
Francis A. Azzarito, Jr. PFC, USA KIA 2/3/68
Morgan J. Donahue, Maj, USAF MIA 12/13/68
Allen S. Farnham, 1st Lt, USA KIA 12/30/68
Guy F. Johnson, WO, USA KIA 3/26/69
Stephen C. Jones, 1st Lt, USA KIA 3/14/68
Dennis G. Taylor, PFC, USMC KIA 8/9/66
Lynn M. Travis, Lt. JG, USN MIA 2/6/68
Danbury
Vernon H. Baker II, Cpl, USMC KIA 6/18/67
Richard C. Benicewicz, Capt, USA KIA 3/21/69
Richard O. Bickford, 1st Lt, USA KIA 10/18/68
John K. Clarke, L/Cpl, USMC KIA 3/6/67
Legrande O. Cole, Jr., Cmndr, USN * MIA 6/30/67
Michael M. Farmer, Cpl, USMC KIA 11/5/68
James G. Flynn, S/Sgt, USA KIA 5/31/69
Charles M. Goetz, ATr3, USN KIA 1/6/67
Richard M. Hope, Sp4, USA KIA 10/5/70
Barney J. Kelly, Sp4, USA KIA 3/19/67
Timothy J. McCarthy, 1st Lt, USA KIA 12/20/66
Gerald W. McKinley, Lt. JG, USN MIA 3/31/65
Arthur C. Morris, Sgt, USA KIA 4/3/66
Charles V. Penn, Capt, USA KIA 11/29/69
Richard G. Repole, 1st Lt, USA KIA 7/8/70
Joaquin C. Rodriguez, E2C, USN KIA 2/14/65
Russell J. Rotko, Pvt, USMC KIA 10/30/68
Robert J. Thompson, S/Sgt, USA KIA 4/8/70
Thomas J. Tyrell, Sgt, USA KIA 3/30/69
Lawrence G. Visconti, PFC, USA KIA 5/2/67
Donald M. Wayman, PFC, USA KIA 6/12/69
William J. Zaborowski, Cpl, USMC KIA 12/8/69
New Fairfield
Michael J. Fratto, L/Cpl, USMC KIA 5/2/69
Edward J. Monahan, L/Cpl, USMC KIA 8/23/65
John C. Reitwiesner, Sp4, USA KIA 1/21/70
New Milford
Robert E. Berry, L/Cpl, USMC KIA 10/12/66
Newtown
Eric G. Blantin, WO1, USA KIA 11/20/69
John F. Young, Capt, USA KIA 1/16/68
Redding
David C. Carlson, PFC, USA KIA 11/5/66
John L. Geoghegan, 2nd Lt, USA KIA 11/15/66
Peter E. Sipp, L/Cpl, USMC KIA 5/10/69
Philipp R. Vollhardt, 1stLt, USA KIA 2/2/71
Ridgefield
Thomas E. Carnegie, 1st Lt, USA KIA 4/19/68
Samuel D. Freeman, III, Capt, USA KIA 1/7/67
William H. Keeler, Sp4, USA KIA 3/24/69
John T. Orrico, WO, USA KIA 11/2/70
Peter C. Towne, Sgt, USMC KIA 8/18/65
KIA – Killed In Action
MIA - Missing In Action
* Remains Recovered – KIA
A separate plaque in front of the memorial reads:
This memorial is dedicated to the Vietnam Veteran, his compassion and his humanity. Throughout the Vietnam War American service men and women came in contact with the people of Vietnam. And, despite the picture painted by the media at that time, the vast majority of them recognized the suffering being endured by the Vietnamese people, particularly the children of that country.
These men and women, who the year before were attending high school and college events, were now engaged in combat with an elusive but tenacious enemy. Their exposure was traumatic to say the least, yet no matter how hard their exterior, no matter how much they controlled their fears in order to be the fighters they must be, this shard of outer toughness was always challenged by the children suffering and being destroyed by the war. This was probably one of the major links to their sanity. Men who became tough jungle fighters, at the same time gave of themselves to help the people. Their defiance of the enemy at all levels of engagement was contrasted by their willingness to be human beings, if it was possible in that madness. They helped administer medical treatment, shared their food with the Vietnamese children, and gave of themselves to orphanages to ease the pain of the orphan.
This is the Vietnam Veteran who was overlooked. He displayed the same courage as his father and grandfather in other less controversial wars, but more importantly, he displayed the compassion which has always been characteristic of the American People.
Marker is at the intersection of South Street (Connecticut Route 53) and Memorial Drive, on the right when traveling east on South Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
