Juntilla, Harry William

Our Fathers - Our Tributes

CMDR. Harry William Juntilla
Navy

Service in Vietnam
1963 – 1966

Location of Casualty
Gulf of Tonkin

The Wall
Panel 012E Line 001

Tribute

My Dad had a faith in God, a love for his country and family.

He served during the Korean War and when he died from burns from a fire aboard the USS Oriskany stationed in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Viet Nam it was his third tour of duty. He loved to fly those Navy jets. He was only 42 years old. His sister sent me a CD of his voice that I had never heard. The last time I heard his I was only 13. His sister, my Aunt Harriet, loved her brother and has given me very special stories of my dear dad over the years.

I miss my dad and I love him very much. I always will. I love you, Dad. Thank you for your service to God and country. We will never know what you what you and the rest all who gave their lives in service went through when you were away for so long defending our freedom.

Thank you, Dad. Talk to you next Memorial Day!

Pendergrass, Vernon Franklin

Our Fathers - Our Tributes

PFC Vernon Franklin Pendergrass
Company “G”, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division
Marines

Service in Vietnam
1967 – 1968

Location of Casualty
Quant Tri

The Wall
Panel 042E Line 070

Tribute

I never had the chance to get to know Dad until I met a few of his buddies from Vietnam. Thank you guys for sharing the person you knew!!

Dad, I missed you being there physically for birthdays, graduations, my wedding, and the birth of your only grandson. Thanks for always letting me feel you around me. I love the person I have discovered you were, and I am proud to be your daughter!!

Love from your ‘Baby Girl’

Jordan, Daniel W.

Our Fathers - Our Tributes

1st Lt. Daniel W. Jordan
A/4/503rd INF, 173rd ABN
Army

Service in Vietnam
1967 – 1967

Location of Casualty
Dakto- Hill 830

The Wall
Panel 023E Line 042

Tribute

When I get to heaven
Saint Peter’s gonna say
“How’d you earn your livin’ boy?
How’d you earn your pay?”

Moore, Thomas

Our Fathers - Our Tributes

CMSGT Thomas Moore
6250th Civil Engineers / Combat Support Squad
Air Force

Service in Vietnam
1965 – 1965

Location of Casualty
Bien Hoa Province

The Wall
Panel 003E Line 009

Tributes

My Daddy

Thomas Moore was born on December 9, 1930 in McClenny, Florida, and grew up in Lake Butler, Florida. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces on August 21, 1947, shortly before it became the U.S. Air Force. After completing basic training, Moore became an aircraft mechanic, serving in California, Japan, and Florida before going through Air Conditioning Refrigeration School in 1951. He next served in Missouri before completing a tour during the Korean War. Sgt Moore served as a Refrigeration Specialist at Keesler AFB, Mississippi from March 8, 1955 to March 7, 1961, and then at Stewart AFB, New York, from March 8, 1961, to October 29, 1961. He served at Larson AFB, Washington, from October 30, 1961, to August 4, 1963, and Tyndall AFB, Florida, from August 5, 1963 to April 15, 1965, when he went to Southeast Asia. Sgt Moore was stationed at Tan Son Nhut AB in the Republic of Vietnam, and was captured on October 31, 1965, while traveling in a truck with three other service members from Vung Tau to Saigon. He was listed as having presumed to have died in captivity by the Viet Cong.

At the end of the war those who were not returned was given a presumptive death date as March 1974.
He was posthumously promoted to Chief Master sergeant .

His Soldier’s Medal Citation reads:

CMSGT Thomas Moore distinguished himself by heroism involving voluntary risk of life on 23 August 1955 at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. On that date, when the arm of an electrician, who was making emergency repairs, touched a live circuit, Sergeant Moore, without thought for his own preservation, immediately responded to the aid of the stricken man. When his first attempt to free the victim failed, Sergeant Moore continued in his efforts until he succeeded. Although shocked himself, he administered artificial respiration until the victim regained consciousness and medical aid arrived. The exemplary courage and decisive actions of Sergeant Moore reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
With 2 purple hearts , Prisoner of War medal and 13 other medals and citations.

[CMS Moore’s Memorial Stone rests in Arlington National Cemetery. His remains have never been recovered from Vietnam.] His name is on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall panel 3 East Line 9.

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I was only 8 when my Dad went missing, but I can remember exciting trips to the flight line, seeing all of the jets and planes on days I was too sick for school, him treating me to a coke while I watched him gather up his work and him “protecting” me when I was in trouble with my Mom. He loved his Country, his family and the Air Force. I raised my family to know him and to honor the military and for what they stand for – for that , honors him and respects him. For the purity of the love of a child and the sadness of the adult that missed all the memories I hold my hand to him to hold everyday.

Dad was returning from Vung Tau to Tan Son Nhut Air Base when he and 3 other A.F. Sergeants were stopped in their vehicle by enemy forces about 40k east of Saigon (1 escaped later).

Dad was on the Last Known Alive (LKA) discrepancy case list until 1992 when they removed him with the presumption of sufficient evidence that death had occurred. Dad, Samuel Adams and Charles Dusing were all last seen alive by the A.F. Sergeant that escaped that day in Bien Hoa Province.

Smith, James Andrew

Our Fathers - Our Tributes

LCDR James Andrew Smith
Heavy Attack Squadron 4, USS Oriskany LCd
Navy

Service in Vietnam
1969 – 1971

Location of Casualty
Gulf of Tonkin

The Wall
Panel 002W Line 072

Tribute

LCDR James A. Smith was a pilot flying A-3 missions over Vietnam in 1966 stationed aboard the USS Oriskany. On the morning of October 26th, a fire broke out on the ship. By the time the flames were extinguished, LCDR Smith, CommanderJuntilla (see tribute on this website), and 42 other men died as a result of this fire.

LCDR Smith left behind his wife Ann, and their four sons (Dave (age 4), twins Pat and Mike (age 2), and Jeff (5 months)).
The “Smitty’s” all reside in the Northern Virginia area today and now have added 1 grandson and 6 granddaughter’s to the clan.
We think of you often and miss you terribly,but we continue to go on and live life to the fullest.