In Memory of USS Westchester County & Crew of 25

In Memory Of The 25 Crew Members Of The USS Westchester County And Their Families – Ship & Crew Lost On November 1, 1968

As the result of enemy action, on November 1, 1968, the United States Navy suffered it's greatest loss of life in a single incident as the result of enemy action during the entire Vietnam War. At 0322 two very large mines were detonated on the starboard side of LST-1167 killing twenty five.

Most Americans have never heard of the U.S.S. Westchester County, or knew this incident ever occurred. During your visit to this web page you will read the names of those that were killed that morning. You will view Official JAG photos of the aftermath from the November 1st attack never before publicly published. You will hear how a devastated crew fought to avoid an even greater loss of life. And you will learn about the naval history of this great American fighting ship and the many awards she won.

This page is dedicated to the twenty five who lost their lives in the service of this country, and to the preservation of their story.
http://jerebeery.com/Wesco%20Page.htm

The Stardust Family Salutes These Heroes:

U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY Crew
Killed In Action on November 1, 1968
SA, Jackie Charles Carter
SK1, Richard Certez Cartwright
QM2, Chester Donald Dale
RD3, Keith William Duffy
SMSN, Timothy Charles Dunning
PN2, David Gleasen Fell
ETN2, Thomas George Funke
RM3, Gerald Eugene Booth Hamm
QMSN, Floyd William Houghtaling
SK1, Aristotoles Del Rosario Ibanez
YN1, Jerry Smith Leonard
RM3, Joesph Anthony Miller
RM1, Rodney Walter Peters
YN3, Cary Frank Rundle
RM3, Reinhard Joseph Schnurrer
QM2, Thomas Herbert Smith
CS1, Anthony Richard Torcivia
*
RIVER ASSAULT DIVISION 111
Killed in Action aboard U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY
November 1, 1968
EN3, Harry John Kenny
*
U.S. ARMY, Ninth Infantry Division
Killed in Action aboard U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY
November 1, 1968
SP4, Leslie Von Bowman
SP4, Wilfredo Cintron-Mendez
PCF, Ernest Frissel Cook Jr.
SP4, Paull David Jose
SGT, Dennis Kenneth O’Connor
*
Vietnamese Forces
Killed in Action aboard U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY
November 1, 1968
1- Vietnamese sailor, VNN - (Unidentified)
1- Vietnamese Interpreter, ARVN – (Unidentified)

I served aboard the U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY from September of 1965 until July of 1967. Several of the sailors killed on November 1, 1968 were former shipmates and friends of mine. The information and photos appearing on this page were compiled by me while researching the Mining Incident for my screenplay "Smoke on the Water". If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Jere Beery

God Bless America and Those Who Go In Harm’s Way To Protect our Freedom & Our Country – Past, Present, Future!

MILITARY SUPPORT - HOW CAN YOU HELP?

MILITARY SUPPORT – HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Start With America Supports You!

It only takes a few minutes to send a card, a letter, a package or to help with a visit or an errand. To learn more about how you can help, go to http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/ where there are over 150 support organizations listed and waiting for you to get involved.

STAY INFORMED!

SEEK OUT SOURCES WITH REAL NEWS!

STARDUST RADIO – WWW.STARDUSTRADIO.COM

HOME OF CHAT STAR

As it did with so many Americans, the September 11 attacks on our homeland and the following deployment of our troops to the Middle East to fight the war on terror, brought three civilians together in a dedicated effort to show our troops that they have the support of their countrymen. Thus, with money from their own pockets, these individuals launched the radio network called Stardust, which plays locally in Riverside, Iowa on 1630AM and internationally in 80 countries on http://www.stardustradio.com./

Despite terrorist threats, damages to the station equipment from severe weather and lightening strikes, (not to mention having to take on extra jobs to be able to pay the bills), they have managed to keep the station going. With the beginning of the 7th year on air in September 2007, United We Roll will also honor our Hometown Heroes – the men and women of law enforcement, firefighters and medical personnel who are the first responders here at home to preserve our safety, homes and businesses.

The military entertainment on Stardust began with the United We Roll World Tour originally hosted by LadyZB until a sudden onset of cancer took her away from us in 2006 (not very many people could have loved our troops much more than did our Nadean. She even went out in the fields to pick Black-Eyed Peas to help keep the station on and voices from home going to our guys and gals in uniform). The show, which has been hosted by Judi Burns & Jeff Showalter, offers a mix of patriotic music, interviews with deployed troops & a wide variety of guests who work in many different ways to support our troops from songwriting to sending letters & care packages to remodeling homes for the wounded, support for families, Veterans and more. We also share news reports that acknowledge the many positive accomplishments our troops have and are making during their deployments that are not heard on mainstream media. And we now are building our support base to also acknowledge the accomplishments of our first responders and the support that is provided for them and their families. Guests include celebrities, congressman and everyday Americans who believe in standing up for and with our troops. If you know of someone who should be a guest on our show or have a hero story, please email it to Judi at unitedweroll@stardustradio.com

SVR with Jerrell Cook focuses on a variety of Veteran health issues including Project Shad, Agent Orange and Gulf War with many informed guests, including Representative Filner of the Veteran Affairs Committee who has become a repeat guest on the show.

OFFE - with Gene Simes and Jere Beery has been focused on Mandatory Funding for Veteran Health care and have been responsible for this issue to be added to referendums in Illinois and other states have already signed the resolution.

Rick Townsend & The Firebase Network Veteran’s Hour – This show which recently joined Stardust from another station started in January 2000 as a means to inform the public of the deplorable treatment our Veterans receive at the hands of the V.A. and their willing assistants, the Congress of the United States, and nearly all chartered NVO's. Through this radio program we have been taking the Veterans Rights issues to the people, we also provide our Veterans and Retired Military Community with helpful information and a voice to air their grievances.

Bob Calvert’s Talking With Heroes – Look for news after his return from 3rd trip to Iraq

For show schedules, check the Stardust website. Taped copies of the shows that have played in the previous 30 days are also available on the site for listening and downloading.

CHAT STAR brings military family & friends and troops from around the world into the same room for voice contact, videos & more. Military contact http://www.stardustent.com/ for your free invitation to join. Corporate and civilian rates are very reasonable and we invite you to take a tour of the Chat Star community online at the stardust website or call the business office at (319) 648-3201 for any assistance.

MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO SERVE & MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Welcome Home Maj. Robert Lapham From Viet Nam 10/18/07

WELCOME HOME MAJ. ROBERT G. LAPHAM
FROM VIET NAM TOUR OF DUTY
10/18/07

Air Force Pilot Missing From Vietnam War is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Maj. Robert G. Lapham, U.S. Air Force, of Marshall, Mich. He will be buried Friday in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.

On Feb. 8, 1968, Lapham was flying the lead A-1G Skyraider in a flight of two in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. The aircraft were alerted to join an airborne forward air controller to destroy enemy tanks that had overrun the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp. After completing one pass on the tanks, Lapham was nearing his target on the second pass when he crashed. The crew of the other aircraft involved in the mission reported seeing no parachute.

Between 1993 and 1998, joint U.S./Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), traveled to Quang Tri Province two times to investigate the incident and interview witnesses. One team also surveyed the crash site and found aircraft wreckage.

In 2003, another joint team investigated the incident and resurveyed the crash site. The team found more wreckage and pilot-related evidence, including Lapham's identification tag.

Between 2004 and 2006, JPAC teams traveled to Quang Tri Province four times to excavate the crash site. The teams recovered human remains, aircraft wreckage and pilot-related items.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC also used dental comparisons in the identification of the remains.

For additional information of the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.

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May God bless this American Hero and his family with peace and may they know how much this country appreciates Maj. Lapham and those who guard our freedom with their own lives.