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But for the grace of God

Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 2:57 PM
Filed Under:

By John Rutherford, NBC News producer

 WASHINGTON –  The National Archives has created an interactive Web site in which people can learn about each of the 58,250 Americans killed in the Vietnam War and also pay tribute to them.

"These are individuals, these are people who have given their lives, these are many of them my friends," Vietnam veteran Richard Schroepfer says in a video on the site, which is called the "Interactive Vietnam Veterans Memorial." 

The memorial provides a link to the service records and casualty reports of those who died in the war, average age: 22.8 years. Visitors are encouraged to contribute their own comments, stories and photos.

VIDEO: Vietnam Memorial goes virtual

"We know there are many untold experiences and stories represented on the Wall, and we hope this interactive version of the Wall will help those affected by the war," Russell Wilding, CEO of Footnote.com, which partnered with the Archives on the project, told a news conference this morning.

Wilding said the site also provides a way for people to pay tribute to the 2.5 million Vietnam veterans who survived the war.

There are 36 different ways to search the site, including by name, unit, hometown, home state, rank and years of birth and death.

I decided to try it out. I typed in the name of a friend from college who I last saw in August 1969 at a remote outpost in South Vietnam and who I later learned had been killed in the war.

Sure enough, up popped his name:

Full name: Suttle, Frederick N. Jr.
Rank: Captain
Hometown: Newport News, Va.
Marital Status: Married
Date of Birth: 1945-03-27
Death Date: 1972-06-02
Age: 26
Died of: Air loss, crash-land
Ground, air, sea: Helicopter - non-crew
Body recovery: Recovered

There but for the grace of God go I.

John Rutherford is an NBC News Producer based out of the Washington, D.C. bureau and is a decorated Vietnam veteran. He also posts stories on the military at www.dailynightly.msnbc.com (click on "John Rutherford" under "categories") and at http://john-rutherford.newsvine.com/.

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Tom Hazzard 3rd marines da nang flc "69"

tom lansdale pa (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:00 PM)

Thank you for creating this website. I could only wish I could find Charlie Glover, my PLTSGT in Vietnam with D Company 31st Engineer Bn. He taught me everything I needed to suceed in my life. Thank you Charlie and Thank You Veterans of all Armed Forces. I was a draftee and I am thankful for that.

First Sergeant (Retired)
Moises Lopez

Moises Lopez, williamsburg, VA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:12 PM)

Thank you veterans, for our freedom.

Bill, Seattle, WA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:12 PM)

thank you for this website  it bringd back a few memories  i was station in cantho south vietnam with the 271st ashc from feb 1968 to january 1969

tom mcdonald boonton nj (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:26 PM)

My brother served three tours in Vietnam.  He was with the Army Rangers.  He came back a different person.  He said when he came back he was looked at as a baby killer, women and old men murderer.  He had nightmares of Vietnam.  I would like to hear from some of the guys he was in Nam with.  His name was
Sgt. Grady B. Higgins, USA.  I can't believe that in the United States, our servicemen would be treated like they were when they returned to the US.

Euva Higgins Sutherland (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:28 PM)

John Post Burnsville North Carolina
to bad your not either

John s (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:32 PM)

I would like to hear from members of the 29th Signal
Battalion, that served in Nha Trang, during 1967. Also
concerned for my friend from Hawaii who requested and
was reassigned to 101st Airbourne.  Hoping he made it
back home.

Stephen C, Drabner, Salt Lake City, and El Paso (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:35 PM)

IT is realy something to be at a home coming for my
two sons in the army.It's hard for this old marine
to hold back the tears.But all of us vets from the
nam have to accept the fact of our not welcome home
parties. mike co 3rd bat 1st marine 66-68-0311

jimmy d (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:38 PM)

This tribute is for Frank Henderson of N.Little Rock, Arkansas, thank you for your ultimate sacrafice.

D. Coleman (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:41 PM)

Proudly served - Pleiku - 1970, came home OK. On 13 JUNE 86, 250,000 of us were welcomed home as we marched through the streets of Chicago, and I will never forget it! To ALL of my Brothers & Sisters in arms, I love you! I will never forget you!

Mickey, Chicago, IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:41 PM)

I served in Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos, 68-69-70.  Hippies squirted ketchup on our pressed and decorated uniforms and hollered baby killers upon my return through San Francisco Airport.  The cops said they were just expressing their freedom of speech.  Students and standbys got to board the planes first while miltary standbys got what was left - maybe.  The VA medical system was terrible with very little help for PTSD and such.  Agent orange was denied and many vets committed suicide or crimes as a result of the war experience.  Vets got very little preference for jobs.  The rich kids could buy their way out of the war by staying in college till the war ended under student deferments.  Poor families would bear the human cost of the Vietnam war.  It is important that we understand why all of America must share equally in any war so the sacrifices are among all classes.  But for the grace of god or money is the correct term and god bless those who gave up their life.    

68 Vet - Greers Ferry, Arkanasas (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:43 PM)

THis tribute is for Frank Henderson of N.Little Rock,Arkansas for his ultimate sacrafice.

D. Coleman, Kansas City, Kansas (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:44 PM)

The concept is admirable but the site itself doesn't work very well at all and is not "user friendly."  The other site "virtualwall.org" works much easier.  

In 1965, I was writing to friends in the Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force, all at the same time.  All were in Viet Nam.  My older sister encouraged me to write because letters were the only connection to their lifes "back in the world."  Then in January 1966, my brother-in-law was killed in action.  A year later I married a young man just after he finished basic and before getting orders for Viet Nam.  After four months in country in 1968, he was badly wounded in a firefight, nine days after his son was born.  He survived but was medically retired.  

Viet Nam shaped my life and many of the lives of my age group.  The war in Iraq has brought many of those memories of Viet Nam back and most of them are painful.  What's even more odd is that I lived in Baghdad when I was 10 and 11.  My father was an engineer at the Daura Oil Refinery outside Baghdad until the military revolted against the monarchy in 1958.  

Viet Nam, Baghdad, wars and revolts -- the only thing that stays the same is that young men (and now young women) fight for the person next to them and fight to survive to come home.  A memorial is necessary and helpful for the people who are left behind.  I've gone to Washington, D.C. three times since the Wall went up to see my brother-in-law's name.  I always wonder "what if."  So many things happened in my family due to his death at such a young age and with four very young children.  The ripples continue to this day.  

Viet Nam-era 1965 high school graduate, California (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:49 PM)

Louise in R.I.:

My Dad also served 2 tours in Viet Nam ('67-'69), and the experience never left him. He truly loved all of his fellow Marines like brothers. I could see how much it hurt him to have made it home safely when so many others did not. My Dad passed away at the age of 53 from complications of Agent Orange poisoning (though the VA refused to acknowledge it at the time), PTSD and chronic alcoholism. He never once complained about his service to our country, and was proud to be a Marine. I had the chance to visit the wall with him and that experience meant the world to me. I miss him more than words can explain.

If I could sum it up in a few words, it would read like this:

"He was a combat Marine, and he loved his children."

Semper Fi Dad.

J.Camacho, California (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:54 PM)

God Bless all Vietnam Veterans, Men and Women, dead and alive, for you are my Heroes and always will be. I still welcome you all back home and look up to You and have much Respect and Admiration for You sacrificed all for this Beautiful, Awesome and Free Country of Ours and I THANK YOU from the BOTTOM OF MY HEART and my WHOLE BEING.  May God Keep You Safe and Peaceful..... :)

Elizabeth E. Olona, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:57 PM)

This is truly a day to remember, my brother "Private John W. Blanding" went to Vietnam in 1968 and died
May 9, 1969, because he contacted jungle fever.  Because of the shelling they were unable to get him out in time.  He died in Camp Zama Japan.  I will always treasure his memory and all of the brothers that did not make it back home.  He was 22 years old upon his death.  Other than the wall in Washington, DC that honors the Vietnan vets this is truly a time of rememberence for those who died and those who survived this terrible war.  To be drafted and suvived this; and not be welcomed back home is a black mark in the American History of our men and women that serve in our armed forces.

Myrtle Blanding-Haynes, Prince George, Va (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 1:58 PM)

Just a quick thanks to all of you who answered our nations call and served with honor. I'll never understand the hate that so many showed you on your return home. I was raised to honor those who would give their all for our great nation. Thanks and God bless you all.

Jason Gallanis, Austin, Texas (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:05 PM)

Kimberly Sahyoun (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:07 PM)

Thank You.  I am a Viet Nam Veteran and I appreciate all the things that has been and currently is being done for the who served and died and for those of us who lived to tell part of the story.

Cleophas J. Kearney, USAF, 311 AC Squadron, Raleigh, NC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:22 PM)

As one of the appx 10,000 women who served in Vietnam, I as proud of my service.  I served as a nurse at the 27th Surg in Chu Lai, May 70-May 71

Paula Noonan Quindlen (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:26 PM)

Served with usarv engineers in 1969-70 in Long Binh.Have deepest respect for those that chose to serve and made the eltimate sacrafice for freedom.God bless our soldiers everywhere.
Tony Labesky,Snow Hill, MD

Tony Labesky, Snow Hill, MD (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:30 PM)

Having read the above posts I find it rather strange. Why so long and for what purpose. Those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and those that came home were all for the most part dead in side. Those leaving posts that bless us and pray for us sadly to say speak to deaf ears at least on my part. God for the most part needs to be left out of war being as he or she was not there.Too many men and women have died for that name God. Too many have died for country one that didn't care then and doesn't care now. Best everyone can do is fight the fight against war.Fight against everything that it stands for.

Clifford j Bowlin. Winston Salem N.C (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:36 PM)

1st Battalion (Airborne) 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division(air assault, air mobile) 1968 - 1969.
Proud to have served and even though I hid the fact I had been in Viet Nam I did than and still do walk with my head held high.
Thanks to all those who have taken the time to acknowledge our service.
I think about the many friends that were lost there constantly.

Warren David, High Point, NC (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:58 PM)

I am prideful of my military service although not served during times of combat.  I found that pride in belonging to a POW/MIA group out of Pocatello, ID. I/we will not rest until all brothers/sisters are returned home to rest and receive the blessings and respect they each deserve.  I was too young for Nam, but I'm not too naive not to appreciate those who stand and applaud as our soldiers depart and return.  A hard lesson learned, but learned non the less.  All Vets, I salute you and thank you and am proud to be one of you!

Dana Lee, Salt Lake City, UT (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 2:59 PM)

70-71 My year there never leaves me.God bless us all

Mike Brown Glenside Pa (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:23 PM)

My brother, John, served with the 5th Infantry 101st
ABN (Mech) in Quang Tri, 1969-70.  He passed away at
age 53 from Agent Orange Cancer, but was always proud
to have served. Welcome home and God Bless to all those Vietnam Vets who served and sacrified for our freedom.

Maureen Hogan-Opatik, Hazel Crest, IL (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:30 PM)

To all the Vietnam Veterans.  About ten years ago, ivisited this little store in San Diego, CA and I bought this patch that says it all, including those 58,000 plus who gave their lives in honorable service and to every surviving Vietnam Vet:  The Patch Says:  "BROTHERS FOREVER".  We will be bound together and forever by our brotherhood.  We did what others didn't want to do.  Gary Owen, 1st Cav Div, Hoaaaaah.

Dennis o. Torres, Sierra Vista, AZ (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 3:47 PM)

To all my brothers from the 1/7 CAV. RECON (1970-1971)
WELCOME HOME BROTHERS!!!

Ed Penrod Ottumwa Iowa (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:01 PM)

Served in " the Nam" June 1969 to Nov. 1970. Chu-Lai with 295th and 661st Ordinance Companies. To all my brothers and sisters who served-" WELCOME HOME " An experience I wouldn,t want to go thru again, but one I'll never forget !!!! God Bless You Dennis Henneman, Ed Golberg,both fron N.Y. John Haines, Pete Stefanchik, from Parma, Ohio , Bluebird from Rhode Island, Modesto Garcia from Albuquerque, Mongoose, Matt from B-More, Etc.

Benny Cervantes , Houston, Texas (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:23 PM)

Served in " the Nam" June 1969 to Nov. 1970. Chu-Lai with 295th and 661st Ordinance Companies. To all my brothers and sisters who served-" WELCOME HOME " An experience I wouldn,t want to go thru again, but one I'll never forget !!!! God Bless You Dennis Henneman, Ed Golberg,both fron N.Y. John Haines, Pete Stefanchik, from Parma, Ohio , Bluebird from Rhode Island, Modesto Garcia from Albuquerque, Mongoose, Matt from B-More, Etc.

Benny Cervantes , Houston, Texas (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:25 PM)

I served with the 442nd Trans. 70-71. It was a crappy war, but I would serve my country again in a heartbeat. To all Viet Vets....Never forget.

Greg Kinneberg, Casper, WY (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:32 PM)

First of all I want to say THANK YOU and Welcome home to each and every one of you.  I was married to a Nam Vet for 18 years before his struggles with PTSD took their toll on him.  He eventually ended his own life.  I learned from him so much of what many of you suffered through, and I know that we will never be able to repay you.  God Bless each and every one of you.

Sharon B. Kenosha, WI (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 4:50 PM)

First of all I would like to say THANK YOU and WELCOME HOME to each and every one of you.  I was married to a Nam vet for 18 years and watched as he struggled with PTSD.  After suffering so much pain and agony, he took his own life.  I know there are many of you who suffer the same anguish, and I just want to say God Bless each and every one of you and your families.

Sharon S. Kenosha, WI (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:05 PM)

I was a "lifer" in the Corps.  I served two tours in Nam and, although proud of my service, am currently fighting soft tissue sarcoma cancer (attributed to Agent Orange) and suffer from PTSD.  I know everyone of those whose names are on the wall as we were all brothers, sisters and family.  Thanks for the site and the support.  Welcome home my brothers and sisters.  May we find the peace we have longed for.  God Bless and "Semper Fi."

Steve Cantonwine, Cedar City, Utah (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:05 PM)

To some looking for a name they cannot find:  A great many who served in Speical Forces / Speical Ops, likely never listed.  Some 'spooks' as suggested earlier, others on 'classified missions' now wiped from records.  They served, and were among America's best and brightest.  We who proudly associated with these men, will remember them to the end of our days.  God Bless all who served and those who were there for us when we came home, even now.

B. Thule, Coeur D Alene, Idaho (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:22 PM)

I served as a doorgunner with the 189th Assault Helicopter Company, the Ghostriders, in Pleiku, Vietnam from April'67 til November'67 then as an air traffic controller with the 125th Air Traffic Company in Da Lat until Jan.69.  1968 Tet was unbeleivable.
Glad to be alive. I salute my brothers who paid the ultimate price.

Stephen Bunker, Pinon Hills, California (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:35 PM)

God bless you.!

SGM Jose L. Ocadiz, USA (Ret) (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:54 PM)

My cousin, Michael Allegranzi, served three tours in Nam as a Hospital Corpman.  He passed away on Good Friday 2008 never having come to terms with his deployments.

As in the movie Rocky, he died in Nam and just didn't know it.  I think Michael knew it, it just took him awhile to find a way out.

I will always remember him as the big brother I never had and as a caring and beautiful person who would do anything for a friend.  I will love him and miss him forever.  God speed.

Susie Howard (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 5:59 PM)

I served in Viet Nam in 1970-71 on PBR Mobile Base TWO just outside TAn An on the Van Coh Tae River. I lost friends and classmates and would like to think that I would do it all over again but the reasons would have to be one hell of alot clearer to me. A life lost for nothing is not acceptable to me. You go in to win and accept nothing less. I love the dirt that I stand on and the freedom that comes with it. If we lose this dirt, just where do you think you will go? It is worth fighing for. Thank you very much for the opportunity to say a word or two may god bless you, Alan Womack SHS2 USN 1967-1971

Alan Womack Clackamas, Oregon (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:23 PM)

I will never forget those that did not make it back.  I served with several that were never found, and always will wonder about that. I miss you still.
Mike Stanfield, 11/65 to 1/69, Delta Project, Det B-52, 5th SF Grp.
Bless you all.

mike stanfield (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:44 PM)

For my friends who did'nt make it. I'm missing you. It has always been the memory of duty,honor,service and love of my country,that remains to this day. I'm proud to have served in the U.S.A.F.for twenty years.

MSGT Henry Luoma (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:49 PM)

Ron Duckworth, Cheyenne, Wyoming ,,,SAYS IT ALL,,,WAS
TREATED LIKE THE SCUM OF THE EARTH WHEN I CAME BACK TO
THE REAL WORLD !!!!!! THANKS BUT THANKS,,,SILENCE IS
GOLDEN !!!!!!!!!

ROBERT HALE ANCHORAGE,AK (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:00 PM)

You all remember the guys ashore but no one remembers the guys at sea who spent their time boring holes in the gulf and if you were North waiting to be shot at, directing aircraft or rescuing their drivers and RIO's from what would have been a watery grave without our presence. I came back in late 1969, was spit on and cursed at. My wife who bore me 4 children committed suicide in 1980 because she could no longer stand her screwed up husband. I live with that and the ravages of Agent Orange because of Viet-Nam. I still fight the battles at night and my third wife of 22 years hears my muffled scream and feels my running feet. I'm still fighting the VA for compensation of 40 years ago. My God bless and keep all 'Nam vets, they need all the help they can get.
Ed Dugard, Vancouver WA.

Ed Dugard, Vancouver, WA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 7:03 PM)

In the spring of 1969, I don't know the month or date only that it was a Sunday, I was in Qui Nhon. I was on my way back to the base from downtown and there was a boy coming towards me and a bar between us. A cowboy came from over my right shoulder on a 50cc and rode up on to the sidewalk and stopped in front of the bar door. He pulled a large satchel charge off his back and threw it in and rode away. Everyone froze for a moment and then the boy coming towards me stepped into the door and looked inside. The whole front of the building came off and he was killed instantly. His uniform was still quite green, he may have been new in country. There was a small article in the Stars and Stripes the next month about it that may help date it but no mention in the article of casualties. I am not sure this is an appropriate post but somewhere there may be a Mother or Father who would want to know about their boy.

James from Michigan (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:58 PM)

Thank you all the veterans who served.  I am the daughter of a WWII veteran and a wife of a Vietnam veteran.  I have endured both PTSD from my father and husband.  My husband and I have been married 38 trying years.

Athena Swansen (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:26 PM)

Thank you all the veterans who served.  I am the daughter of a WWII veteran and a wife of a Vietnam veteran.  I have endured both PTSD from my father and husband.  My husband and I have been married 38 trying years.

Athena Swansen, San Diego, CA (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:28 PM)

Andy Bailey...another thing it could be is a typo error when listing Hometown. My best friend William E. Hawkins was a medic on a medivac chopper with 101st Airborne and was killed on a "Dust Off" mission 5/26/70. He live his whole life in Waynesboro,VA but the Army records show his hometowm as Madissonville,KY. (FUBAR) If it's his name and date of loss is correct, it may be him even if the hometown is wrong. To all my brother vets, Welcome Home!

Bill Johnson, Pleasant Shade, TN (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:32 PM)

First I want to say thank you to ALL of our vets alive and no longer with us..My father was in Nam and to this day lives with the damage that war has done to his mind. My brother is also now serving in the Army. These two men are my heros.
My father has told stories of what it was like when he was over there and it is from those stories that I have learned a few things. You may not like what the government does but YOU are the ones who can change it by voting! You respect those who have served and most of all you NEVER take forgranted that freedom is NOT free it is paid in the blood of our men and women who died or who have ben injured in other ways. It makes me SICK when I go to the VA hospitals with my father and see how they treat these vets who GAVE all  for our freedoms. These ppl deserve NOTHING but the best in care and respect from our government. I really think that we as a nation NEED to do more then hold parades for our men and women coming home from combat zones too. Parades are nice but where is the support after the celebrating is done?
This site is a great idea though because we really do need to educate our children on what exactly happened in Nam.
To the families that have lost someone in a combat zone Thank you  is not enuff. You all have the utmost respect from me and my family though.
                 Proud daughter of a 101 st aireborne solder and vet. Daddy you ARE my HERO!!

               

Justina Smith Oshkosh,wi (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:41 PM)

I saw combat in 69-70 RVN I thank God for my fellow Marines and service men and women.They did not cut and run,but believed some unto death in a higher calling FREEDOM for all people One man died to save our souls many died in the name of freedom on this eath to God bless you all

chas panosian lodi wi (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:53 PM)

I just want to say to all of you who were there, and to the one's we lost. Thank you. With all of who I am I thank you for what you've gone through for myself and all of us. I'm just a kid, but I hope that means something. Not just you guys but all of our Vets.. thank you.

Eric Moore, Hamilton, NJ (Sent Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:56 PM)



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