With Honor and Appreciation
This is Paul Hellstrom Foster. Paul was born in San Mateo on April 17, 1939. Paul was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.
While serving as an Artillery Liaison Operations Chief with the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines in Operation Kingfisher near Con Thien at Wash Out Bridge on October 14, 1967, Sgt Foster was mortally wounded when he threw himself upon a hand grenade to save the lives of his five comrades.
For his actions, Sergeant Paul Hellstrom Foster was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Sergeant Paul Hellstrom Foster is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California. Paul is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 27e, Line 108.
"And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave." Joseph Rodman Drake
This is John Willie Cockerham Jr. John was from Menlo Park. He was born on May 13, 1949. John was a Specialist 4 and served with the U.S. Army 1st Cav Division, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, A Company.
During his service John received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
John was killed on August 26, 1969 in an enemy artillery rocket mortar barrage in the Long Khanh province of South Vietnam.
John Willie Cockerham Jr is buried at San Francisco National Cemetery, San Francisco, San Francisco County, California. John is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 19w, Line 118.
"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it." – Unkown
This is Andrew Dang. He was a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. assigned to the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force
Andrew was from in Foster City and graduated from Aragon High School where he played Varsity Football and wrestling.
Lance Cpl. Dang was killed March 22, 2004, by a rocket-propelled grenade during a firefight near Ramadi.
The elder Dang said that, after fleeing himself from communist Vietnam two decades ago, he could understand why his son had joined the military.
"Coming here from Vietnam, I felt he was protecting the freedom I had gained," his father said. "I'm very proud of what he did."
Lance Corporal Andrew Dang is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery - San Bruno, California.
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” George S. Patton.
This is Donald Lloyd Swanson. He was born in September 19, 1943. Donald was from Millbrae. He enlisted in the Army and served during the Vietnam War. He began his tour on March 21, 1969. He had the rank of Captain. He was a Helicopter Pilot and Infantry Unit Commander serving with 101st Airborne Division, 158th Aviation Battalion, C Company.
During his service Donald was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, Parachutist Badge, United States Aviator Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Army Good Conduct Medal.
On January 31, 1970, in the Thua Thien province of South Vietnam, Donald along with three crewmen and one passenger were killed when their helicopter was brought down by enemy fire.
Donald Lloyd Swanson is buried or memorialized at Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California. Donald is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 14w, Line 87.
"For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue." James A. Garfield
This is Sergio G Moya. Sergio was born in 1921 in San Francisco and enlisted in the Army in San Mateo. Sergio was a paratrooper with Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.
On June 6th, 1944, D-Day, Sergio was on a C-47 Skytrain from the 439th Troop Carrier Group when it was hit by German Anti-Aircraft fire over Beuzeville-au-Plain. Sergio, along the entire crew of 5 men and 17 paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division were killed.
On June 6, 2000, a memorial was established at the Beuzeville-au-Plain church to Moya, and the other paratroopers killed when their plane was shot down.
Sergio is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri.
"Home of the free, because of the brave." – unknown