September Casualties

Private Charles Mc Ginty was killed in action on Sept. 29, 1918.

Private First Class Thomas J. Mooney was killed in action on Sept. 27, 1918.

Arthur H. Lundgren died at Fort Dix, N.J., in September 1942.

Quartermaster 3/c William Russell White, KIA at Salerno, Italy, on Sept. 11, 1943.

Seaman 2/c Thomas A. Peacock, 20, was killed in action in Sicily on Sept. 11, 1943.

John Kirwin was killed in the South Pacific on Sept. 5, 1944.

Glen C. Nelson, 21, KIA/MIA Sept. 12, 1944.

William Mears was KIA in the South Pacific on Sept. 15, 1944.

John Verian was KIA in Germany on Sept. 18, 1944.

Tuskeegee Airman Flight Officer Leonard R. Willette, was MIA/KIA Sept. 22, 1944.

William Salmon was KIA in Palue Islands on Sept. 23, 1944.

Cpl. Benjamin Lucas, 23, was killed in China on Sept. 28, 1945.

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August Casualties

Captain Henry Benson died in Aug. 11, 1862 of wounds at Malvern Hill, Va.

Private Edward Crowell Jr. died of wounds in Brest, August 4, 1919.

Donald Hartley, 20, was killed in the North Atlantic on Aug. 18, 1943.

Fred R. Wyckoff was killed in action in Tunisia on August 1943.

Wallace Reed was KIA in France on Aug. 6, 1944.

Pfc. Albert E. Pole was killed in Guam Aug. 7, 1944

Seaman 2/c Gerald Strigari died in Brooklyn on Aug. 10, 1944.

Robert Stecker was KIA in France in August 15, 1944.

James T. White was KIA in Italy in Aug. 16, 1944.

Robert C. Taylor was killed near Bermuda on Aug. 20, 1944.

Seaman 2/c John Johnson died in the South Pacific on Aug. 4, 1945.

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July Casualties

Cpl. Gerald Fuselle, 24, died in North Africa on July 10, 1943.

1st Lt. Harry Salz died at Fort Dix, N.J., on July 25, 1943.

Pfc. Steveno Mosco, 20, was KIA in Normandy July 27, 1944.

2nd Lt. Victor R. Bruegman was killed over Hungary on July 2, 1944.

Lt. John J. Daly was KIA in Normandy on July 4, 1944.

Pfc. Angelo Guarino, 25, was KIA in France on July 18, 1944.

John Marshall was killed in Italy on July 8, 1945.

Lt. Kenneth Chewey died in Manila, the Philippines, on July 23, 1945.

Sgt. Clatie Cunningham was killed in the South Pacific on July 23, 1945.

Private Hyland was KIA at the Kum River, South Korea on July 20, 1950.

(July 31, 1958) Staff Sgt. Charles A. Marsh, died of injuries from an accident in Burlington, Vt.

Pfc. Carl Lawrence Mickens, 26, was killed in action on July 4 in Vietnam.

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June Casualties

Thomas Stevens was killed June 27, 1862.

Fireman, 1/c Charles R. Braun was killed June 5, 1943.

Sgt. Michael G. Froehlich was killed over Europe on June 11, 1943.

Cpl. Hector Mc Neill was killed at Anzio, Italy, on June 1, 1944.

Sgt. Patrick J. Barbone was killed over Europe on June 2, 1944.

Merchant Marine Joseph Razes died in the South Pacific on June 2, 1944.

2nd Lt. Herman M. Doell was KIA in Europe on June 6, 1944.

Albert Lariviero was KIA at Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Carmen Olivo was killed during the invasion of France on June 6, 1944.

Lee White was killed during the invasion of France on June 8, 1944.

Arthur Burke was killed during the Normandy invasion on June 9, 1944.

Edward R. Henris was killed in Europe on June 9, 1944.

Seaman Ronald McCormack was MIA after in Normandy, June 9, 1944.

Harry Nyegaard was killed in Saipan on June 19, 1944.

Emil Ostrowski was killed in France in June 1944.

Sgt. Edward DiCarlo was KIA on Guam on June 26, 1945.

Cpl. Rene J. Flory was killed in the Korean War on June 9, 1951.

Henry Svehla, 19, was killed in action in Korea on June 12, 1952

Captain William Branch, 28, was killed in Vietnam on June 6, 1970.

Raymond DeLuca, 20, was killed in action in Vietnam on June 27, 1968.

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Jerry Donatiello, KIA, Nov. 29, 1967

Lance Cpl. Jerry Richard Donatiello, of Frederick Street, was killed in action in Vietnam on November 20, 1967. He was killed by hostile rifle fire in the vicinity of Quang Namn on Nov. 20. He had been in Vietnam since Oct. 5.

Born on June 27, 1945, he enlisted in the Marines on March 3, 1965. He served with the USMC CO F 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine, 1st Marine Division. His service number is 225482.

He is the son of Mrs. Rose Donatiello. He is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, N.J.

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Carl Mickens, KIA, July 4, 1970

(July 16-21, 1970) -- Pfc. Carl Lawrence Mickens, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl D. Mickens of 61 Wilbur Street, was killed in action on July 4 in Vietnam.

Private Mickens,  lost his life in a booby trap explosion while he was on a military mission, according to a telegram received by his parents. A lifelong Belleville resident, he had planned to be a vocational high school teacher.

Before entering the service, Pfc. Mickens had completed three years toward a teaching degree at Montclair State College. Earlier he attended night school at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He had also completed four years of apprenticeship as a tool and die maker at Western Electric Co., Kearny.

"He planned to finish college after his discharge from the service next year," his father said. "He hoped to put his experience as a tool and die maker, and his teaching degree, to use as a vocational high school teacher."

He was drafted into the army in July 1969. After completing basic training at Ft. Dix, he took advanced training at Ft. Lewis, Wash., and Ft. Benning, Ga.

Last April, Pfc. Mickens was assigned to Vietnam and became a member of the 101st Airborne Division.

"He was a good soldier and took the problems of war in stride," his father said. "He really did not want to go to Vietnam, but when the word came through, he went cheerfully."

While at Montclair State, Pfc. Mickens was a member of the Kappa Sigma Chi fraternity. He was also a member of the choir at Grace Episcopal Church, Newark. Pfc. Mickens leaves two sisters, Linda Gail, and Shirley Jean, both at home.

The Belleville Times

The Belleville Telegram

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Raymond Deluca, KIA, June 27, 1968

(July 11, 1968) -- Army Spec. 4 Raymond P. De Luca, of Meacham Street, died June 27 as a result of wounds in a firefight in Vietnam. The date and location of the action were not disclosed.

A lifelong resident of Belleville, De Luca attended Essex Catholic High School, Newark, where he graduated as an honor student in 1966.

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William Branch, KIA June 6,1970

Capt. William A. Branch, 28, was killed in South Vietnam on June 6, 1970, when his helicopter was brought down by enemy fire.

Two men from Headquarters Company, 2/14 Infantry, were killed when OH-6A tail number 68-17366 was shot down 10 kilometers southeast of the Dau Tieng base camp - Captain William A. Branch and Captain William L. Byrd of Rossville, Ga.

Captain Branch was on his second tour of duty in Vietnam; his first was in 1966-67 when he served as a MACV Advisor with the 2nd Bn, 46th ARVN Infantry in Long An Province.
The Virtual Wall

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A daughter's tribute

Paul Nelson, KIA, May 31, 1969

(June 17, 1969) -- Pfc. Paul V. Nelson, 20, of Williams Street, was killed in action on May 31, in the northern part of South Vietnam, according to the Department of the Army.

Nelson was awarded the Silver Star “for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.”

PFC. Nelson “distinguished himself by intrepid actions” on May 31, while serving as a radio telephone operator with Company B, 1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry.

"On that date, the company was on a search and clear mission near Landing Zone Stinson when the point element came under intense enemy fire.

"Observing one of his comrades fall seriously wounded, Private Nelson, disregarding the danger involved, braved the enemy fire to assist in evacuating the wounded soldier.

"Returning to the area of contact, Private Nelson remained exposed to locate the enemy position. Despite the hostile barrage impacting all around him, Private Nelson located the insurgents’ position and then directed gunship fire on the enemy targets.

"At this point, Private Nelson was mortally wounded from the hostile fire. His timely and courageous actions were responsible for saving the life of his comrade and the defeat of the enemy force.

"Private Nelson’s personal heroism, professional competence, and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service, and reflected great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army. "

Pfc. Nelson joined the Army last June and had been in Vietnam for the last six months.

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Alfred Barnes, KIA, May 12, 1969

(May 22, 1969) -- Lt. Col. Alfred Barnes of Ralph Street, Belleville, a 20-year career Army office, was killed during an enemy rocket and mortar attack in Vietnam on May 12.

Mrs. Sadie R. Barnes, his wife, was notified by telegram of the overseas tragedy.

Lt. Col. Barnes had a personal dream fulfilled when he assumed command of a battalion two months ago.

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Donald Murray killed in training mission

Chief Warrant Officer Donald S. Murray, 37, was killed in a mid-air helicopter crash April 14, 1996, during live Hellfire Missile drill on McGregor Range at Ft. Bliss, New Mexico.

A 14-year veteran, paratrooper Murray grew up on Moore Place in Belleville and attended Holy Family School.

CWO Donald S. Murray, photo courtesy of Neal Murray.

Albuquerque Journal (NM) - April 16, 1996

FT. BLISS CRASHES KILL THREE2 COPTERS WENT DOWN DURING NIGHT TRAINING
LAS CRUCES -- A team of Army investigators from Alabama arrived at Fort Bliss on Monday to examine wreckage strewn in the crash of two Army helicopters that killed three paratroopers. A fourth soldier who rode in one of the helicopters was treated at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss after the crash Sunday night. The soldier then was released back to his unit. Two OH-58 Delta Kiowa Warrior helicopters, each carrying two...

Albuquerque Journal (NM) - April 16, 1996

ARMY TEAM SEEKS CAUSE OF COPTERS' CRASH
LAS CRUCES -- A team of Army investigators from Alabama arrived at Fort Bliss on Monday to examine wreckage strewn in the crash of two Army helicopters that killed three paratroopers.A fourth soldier who rode in one of the helicopters was treated at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss after the crash Sunday night. The soldier then was released back to his unit. Two OH-58 Delta Kiowa Warrior helicopters, each carrying two soldiers, crashed about 9:50 p.m. Sunday ...

Albuquerque Journal (NM) - April 19, 1996

ARMY IDENTIFIES TWO DEAD PARATROOPERS
AROUND NEW MEXICO LAS CRUCES -- The Army on Thursday released the names of two paratroopers killed in the April 14 crash of two helicopters on the Fort Bliss Military Reservation. Two of the victims of the nighttime crash, which occurred during aerial gunnery maneuvers, were identified as Capt. Joseph O. Reed III, 30, of Windermere, Fla., commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 82nd Aviation Brigade; and Chief Warrant Officer Donald S. Murray, 37, of Belleville, N.J. ...

Albuquerque Journal

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Belleville Sons Honor Roll

Frank Canceliere, March 15, 1969

Corporal Frank A. Cancelliere of Sanford Avenue, was killed March 15, 1969, near Quang Tri Province in Vietnam.

According to the official report, he died as a result of fragmentation wounds to the head and body from a friendly grenade that was accidentally detonated in the chow line at the mess hall.

Born on June 27, 1948, he enlisted in the Marines, he began active duty on Sept. 13, 1967.

He served with the CO B 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, FMF RPO San Francisco.

He is buried in the Belleville Avenue Cemetery, Bloomfield, N.J.

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Donald Saunders, March 4, 1968

Another Belleville Son

Dies in Vietnam Battle

(March 14, 1968) -- "Since he had to leave this world, I'm glad he left it the way he did, with courage and fighting for his country."

There was little else for William D. Saunders of High Street, Belleville, to say. He is the father of Pfc. Donald Saunders who was killed in action in Vietnam March 4, 1968.

The young Saunders, only 20, died of wounds on his head and body from an enemy mortar fire in Quang Tri last week.

Saunders enlisted in the Marines two years ago on Sept. 28. It was a day that William Saunders will never forget as it was the elder Saunders' birthday.

Donald completed his basic training at Parris Island, S.C., and advanced infantry training at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam.

When asked why, Mrs. Maisie Saunders, his mother, said, "Donald was never too talkative. He made his own decisions. I think he felt the boys were doing a good job and he should back them up."

"It was just a job that had to be done, for him," added Saunders, and he never complained. In all his letters there was never a word of complaint. He tried to reassure us, in fact."

The Belleville Times, March 14, 1968

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