In Memory of William J. Kildare

By: Chris Trollinger, his sister

As I approach the wall, in the early morning light, the sky is gently showering everything with dew. Here at the break of day's new dawning, I come much like Mary to visit the empty tomb. I come not with spices but with my heart wanting to speak to you once again. Today I come to meet with my brother, my friend. I know deep within me that we are still kindred in spirit, together and yet apart. We have shared the days of our childhood and we have felt the sting of death. Yet, for all of this, nothing can really ever separate us, not even a broken heart. William, my sweet William, how I long to see you once again. Can you hear me? Do you see me as I search for your beloved name?

Many years have passed since I last spoke with you and beheld your dear sweet face. Yet it seems like only yesterday that I stood beside your open grave. Brother, teacher, companion and friend, how the memories do ebb and flow. Can you see me? Do you hear me as I search for your beloved name?

Suddenly, as though from a lighthouse, a tiny ray of sun seems to point out your beloved name. Billy, dearest brother, I know that you still watch over me. Can you feel the mist that is falling? Do you see how the dew drops look just like teardrops as I caress your beloved name?

I counted 16 teardrops falling, one for each letter and character in your name. Do you remember bat-light, butterflies and fishing in the rain? Do you remember how you taught me to fish and then threw them all back into the lake again? You said: "We should never waste God's beauty or abuse the bounty of his land."

Do you fish the lakes of heaven, still teaching the little ones? Do you walk the fields with Jesus and, OH! Do you still sing slightly out of tune? Here in the misty morning sunrise, I feel close to you once again. I can almost hear you singing, "Halleluiah! To Christ our King!" Best of all, sweet William, it sounds perfectly in tune. William, my sweet William, I shall always love you so.

Billy, dearest brother, it is time for me to go. I know now, deep in my heart, that you are well and happy. Now not even 16 teardrops falling can take away my joy for you. "Vaya Con Dios," until we meet again.

Friday, February 27, 2004

Medal of Honor and Navy Cross Recipients in the Con Thien Area of Operations, 1966-68

When Bob Bliss, Mark Faucett, and I started this blog, our main purpose was to tell the story of and find other survivors of the battle on September 21, 1967. While doing research on the fighting around Con Thien and the DMZ, I realized that I needed to recognize all the troops who fought in that area since we all shared common experiences. To bring recognition to those men and their units, I now present the following Medal of Honor and Navy Cross recipients. I apologize to the Silver and Bronze Star recipients as I had no source for them. I know every man who ever spent time at the DMZ deserves our respect and many deserve medals they never received. You know who you are. I salute you.

If anyone knew any of these men and would like to write about them, just contact me.

Semper Fi,
Bill Sellers
Golf 2/4 67-68


Medal of Honor

Cpl. Jedh Colby Barker 09/21/1967 F 2/4 Kingfisher
Sgt. Paul H. Foster 10/14/1967 2/4 Kingfisher
2nd Lt. John Paul Bobo 03/30/1967 I 3/9 Prairie III
Cpl. Larry L. Maxam 02/02/1968 D 1/4 Kentucky
Sgt. Walter K. Singleton 03/24/1967 A 1/9 Prairie III

Navy Cross

SSgt. Russell Armstrong 09/07/1967 I 3/26 Kingfisher
Cpl. James J. Barrett 09/10/1967 I 3/26 Kingfisher
Sgt. David G. Brown 09/10/1967 L 3/26 Kingfisher
LCpl. Randall A. Browning 09/10/1967 A 3d AT Kingfisher
Capt. Andrew D. DeBona 09/10/1967 M 3/26 Kingfisher
Pfc. Mark W. Judge 09/21/1967 E 2/4 Kingfisher
Capt. James E. Murphy 10/26/1967 2/4 Kingfisher
Cpl. Tiago Reis 09/21/1967 F 2/4 Kingfisher
Cpl. Miguel R. Sotomayer 07/29/1967 F 2/4 Kingfisher

HM3 James Ashby 06/01/1967 L 3/9 Cimarron
LCpl. David G. Bendorf 05/20/1967 L 3/9 Hickory
Cpl. Richard K. Gillingham05/19/1967 H 2/9 Hickory
Pfc. David E. Hartsoe 05/20/1967 L 3/9 Hickory

SSgt. Leon R. Burns 07/02/1967 B 1/9 Buffalo
LCpl. Merritt T. Cousins 07/08/1967 B 1/12 Buffalo
1st Lt. Gatlin J. Howell 07/02/1967 1/9 Buffalo
Capt. Albert C. Slater 07/6-7/1967 A 1/9 Buffalo
LCpl. James L. Stuckey 07/06/1967 C 1/9 Buffalo

2nd Lt. Kenneth L. Christy01/18/1968 L 3/4 Kentucky
Cpl. Harry J. Corsetti 08/15/1968 3rd Recon Kentucky
Cpl. Lawrence M. Eades 02/02/1968 CAC-P Kentucky
Pvt. Marc J. Kuzma 04/26/1968 A 1/4 Kentucky
Cpl. Timothy W. Russell 02/02/1968 D 1/4 Kentucky

HM Gollie L. Grant 09/19/1966 B 1/26 Prairie

Capt. William M. Keys 03/02/1967 D 1/9 Prairie II
Capt. Michael P. Getlin 03/30/1967 I 3/9 Prairie III
Cpl. John L. Loweranitis 03/30/1967 I 3/9 Prairie III
1st Sgt. Raymond G. Rogers03/30/1967 I 3/9 Prairie III

HM Charles H. Crawford 05/29/1967 M 3/4m Prairie IV
Sgt. Ronald T. Curley 05/16/1967 F 2/26 Prairie IV
Sgt. David J. Danner 05/08/1967 A/3rd Tank Prairie IV
Pfc. Henry C. Dillard 05/29/1967 M 3/4 Prairie IV
L.Cpl. Michael P. Finley 05/08/1967 A 1/4 Prairie IV
Cpl. Richard E. Moffit 05/16-17/1967 G 2/26 Prairie IV
L. Cpl. Robert Monohan 05/28/1967 D 1/9 Prairie IV
1st Sgt. Jettie Rivers, Jr. 05/14-15/1967 D 1/9 Prairie IV
L. Cpl. Michael E. Stewart 05/13/1967 A 1/9 Prairie IV
L. Cpl. Charles D. Thatcher 05/08/1967 A/3rd Tank Prairie IV
Pfc Armand R. Thouvenell 05/29/1967 M 3/4 Prairie IV

Medal of Honor Winner

Paul Hellstrom Foster

Sergeant H BTRY, 3RD BN, 12TH MARINES,

3RD MAR DIV

United States Marine Corps

17 April 1939 - 14 October 1967

San Francisco, California

Panel 27E Line 108

The President of the United States,

in the name of the Congress,

takes pride in presenting posthumously the

MEDAL OF HONOR to

PAUL HELLSTROM FOSTER

Sergeant, United States Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an artillery liaison operations chief with the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines. In the early morning hours the 2d Battalion was occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road leading from Con Thien to Cam Lo. Suddenly, the Marines' position came under a heavy volume of mortar and artillery fire, followed by an aggressive enemy ground assault. In the ensuing engagement, the hostile force penetrated the perimeter and brought a heavy concentration of small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire to bear on the battalion command post. Although his position in the fire support coordination center was dangerously exposed to enemy fire and he was wounded when an enemy hand grenade exploded near his position, SGT Foster resolutely continued to direct accurate mortar and artillery fire on the advancing North Vietnamese troops. As the attack continued, a hand grenade landed in the midst of SGT Foster and his 5 companions. Realizing the danger, he shouted a warning, threw his armored vest over the grenade, and unhesitatingly placed his body over the armored vest. When the grenade exploded, SGT Foster absorbed the entire blast with his body and was mortally wounded. His heroic actions undoubtedly saved his comrades from further injury or possible death. SGT Foster's courage, extraordinary heroism, and unfaltering devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Richard M. Nixon,

President of the United States of America,

presented the Medal of Honor to his family

at the White House on 20 June 1969.

Sergeant Paul H. Foster

is buried in Grave 4764, Section V,

Golden Gate National Cemetery,

San Francisco, California.

From a brother in combat,

John E Mongiovemailto:Mongiovemmemapopy@tampabay.rr.com

06 Dec 2002