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| Welcome |
| Vietnam |
| Veterans |
| This page is dedicated to the servicemen of Randolph County, West Virginia, who served in Vietnam. |
| I served in Vietnam from August 8, 1967 to August 8, 1968. I was in the 18th Engineering Brigade, 610th Engineer Company, in Cam Rahn Bay and Dalat. I was wounded on January 11, 1968 as the result of a firefight at the 610th quarry site. I was medevaced to Cam Rahn Bay for recovery. |
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| This page is especially dedicated to one of my best friends, Garry "Mike" Shannon. |
| Through Old Glory's Eyes You sing a song about me, as you stand there heart in hand. You speak of love and loyalty, of this I understand. The battle there in Concord, for all the world to see. The shot was heard around the world, when life was given me. The sailor and the soldier, the airman and marine, They fought and bled and gave their lives to keep our country free. I watched a nation torn in war, I watched it heal and mend. I lay upon the coffin of a president and friend. I've been given to a father who has lost his son in war I've been given to a mother who will grieve forevermore. As you stand and honor me, it is I who honor you The men and women of our land forever will stand true. -Thomas E. Padgett, 1994 |
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| DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE RANDOLPH COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO LOST THIER LIVES IN THE VIETNAM WAR. |
| James Vincent Antolini Norton, WV Randall Arbogast Valley Head, WV Gary Lee Burgess Pickens, WV Tex Delano Valley Bend, WV Roger Dale Griffith Elkins, WV Thomas G. Hess Elkins, WV Benard Francis Jones Coalton, WV Fred Michael Kerns Elkins, WV Cecil Wibert Kittle, Jr. Huttonsville, WV Steven P. Mollohan Pickens, WV Gary Nonzel Shannon Mabie, WV David Henry Shiflett Montrose, WV Robert Lee Simmons Elkins, WV Samuel Reed Summerfield Elkins, WV Russell Allen Taylor Elkins, WV Robert Dewey Thomas Wymer, WV |
| I would like to thank my fellow BROTHERS that served in Vietnam for your pain and sacrifice while serving our country and making the ultimate sacrifice in some cases while others remained free. May God be with you and may you have many happy days ahead. I pray that our nation never forgets our veterans. It was through pain, suffering, and hardship that this nation was formed and remains today. |
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| Stationed on Noh Tray Island, east of Nha Trang, for 60 days under the 864th Construction Engineering Battalion. |
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| Sleeping Quarters in Noh Tray Island, September of '67 - John Jenkins and I were from the 610th Engineering Company, all other personnnel were from the 864th Battalion. |
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| October 1967: Flares over Nha Trang. The airbase tarmac and the Fifth Special Forces were recieving mortar rounds from the mountains above Nha Trang. |
| Picture taken in Cam Rahn Bay in November of '67. Just got back from Noh Trey Island across from the mainland east of Nha Trang. Dozer was the company dog. He was spared from some V.C. dinner table by living inside the company compound. |
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| Morning of November 23, 1967 - Preparing to convoy from Cam Rahn Bay to Dalat. Took 60 hours of steady work and driving to reach the mountains of Dalat, which was a mere 50 miles away, due to low grade roads and torrential downpours. |
| Picture taken in Dalat in December 1967. Returning from night security watch at the 610th quarry site. |
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| This picture was taken 17 days before I was wounded. Camp and guard towers along runway served as a temporary home to the 610th Engineer Company and E Company of the 87th Engineer Battalion. Known as "Tent City" - 1 1/2 miles from the city of Dalat. |
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| GRADUATION Four months ago in High School, today in Vietnam Four months ago in High School, todays he's cursed and damned He got his education to be a better man His country sent him off to war, to fight in Vietnam Twelve years he worked and studied, to graduate from school To fight here in a rice paddy, how awful and how cruel. The diploma that they gave him will hang upon his wall A paper here in combat, it has no use at all. -Thomas Padgett, 1994 |
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| If you would like to contact me, you may email me at: [email protected] |
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| This picture was taken upon arrival at Cam Rahn Bay in August 1967, care of the USS Troop Ship Walker. |
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| This is my wife, Alma, in 1967 the night before graduation from Barstow High School, Barstow CA. |
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| These warriors walked where most men fear to walk; always on unfamiliar grounds and in uncertain circumstances. These brave men of Randolph County, West Virginia, gave all that men can give in the preservation of our country's ideals. Men of honor, men of courage, men of duty, performing acts of heroism and bravery in the eyes of certain death. Young and naive, yet older than their years of life, in battle, men live a lifetime in mere hours. Men who lost thier lives in combat deserve our country's highest place of honor and remembrance in our nation's history. The cost of freedom is not cheap, for men have laid down thier lives in the obtaining and upholding of the rights we so readily enjoy without a second thought. To the family and loved ones of these brave men, I'd like to extend my gratitude, for your sons and husbands are my brothers in arms. - Thomas Padgett |
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| Created by Brandy Guy |
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| Garry is resting at Fincham Chapel Cemetary, WV. Casualty was on June 30, 1970 in Phuoc Long, South Vietnam. Garry was on a re-supply mission aboard a helicopter gunship when an enemy ground fire brought the helicopter down. All aboard were lost. |
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