Vietnam casualties - an honor list

JACKIE LINDELL ELSTON PFC ARMY CORDELL OK 1/27/1948 - 4/28/1968 Profile
Jackie is buried at Lone Star Cem,Rocky,Washita Co,OK.

JACKIE ELSTON KILLED IN ACTION IN VIETNAM
Pfc. Jackie L. Elston, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Elston, Cordell, died in Vietnam Sunday, April 28, 1968.
Mr. and Mrs. Elston received information of their son's death Tuesday through M/Sgt. Jose R. Garma, Jr., Clinton.
A telegram Wednesday from Maj. Gen. Kenneth G. Wickham, adjutant general's office, Washington D.C. verified the information given them by Sgt. Garma and stated that their son died April 28 of a gunshot wound received during combat operations while engaged in hostile a firefight.
Young Elston entered military service September 20, 1967, and after completing six weeks basic training and ten weeks medical training at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, reported at Ft. Lewis, Washington, February 24 pending shipment to Vietnam.
He was born near Rocky January 27, 1948, and had lived in Washita county all of his life until entering military service. He was a 1966 graduate of Cordell high school and was a member of the Church of the First Born near Rocky, Oklahoma.

MILITARY RITES HONOR ELSTON - AWARDS ARE PRESENTED TO PARENTS
Military ceremony held in the Cordell community center at 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 18, honored Pfc. Jackie Lindell Elston of Cordell who died in Vietnam April 28, 1968.
Decorations awarded posthumously to Pvt. Elston were presented to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Elston. Attending the ceremony with Mr. and Mrs. Elston were Jackie's sister, Teresa; his brother, Dickie; and his girl friend, Miss Damaris Giblet of Rocky.
Decorations which were awarded to Jackie were presented by Maj. Hubert W. Sanders of Custer City, United States army reserve, general of the fourth United States Army. Also present was M/Sgt. Jose R. Carmona, Jr. Oklahoma City, United States army, survivor assistance officer.
Decorations presented were the bronze star medal, bronze star medal with first oak leaf cluster for heroism and "V" device for valor, air medal, purple heart medal, national defense service medal, Vietnam campaign ribbon, and Vietnam service medal given by the Vietnamese Republic.
The bronze star medal was awarded for action in Vietnam from February to April, 1968. Citation accompanying the medal states it was awarded for meritorious service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Vietnam.
The bronze star with oak leaf cluster and "V" device was awarded for heroism in ground combat in Vietnam, April 28, Citation states that Pvt. Elston "Distinguished himself by exceptional valorous action April 28 while serving as medical aidman with headquarters and headquarters company, 2nd battalion, 8th cavalry (airborne), first cavalry division, during search and destroy mission in the A Shau Valley. When the unit became heavily engaged with a large enemy force, he exposed himself to hostile fire as he crossed an open area to administer first aid to wounded comrades. In his attempt to move woulded soldiers to a secure area, he was mortally wounded."
The purple heart is the oldest military award in the United States. Established by Gen. George Washington at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782, it is given for wounds received in action.
Presidential citation accompanying the awards given Pvt. Elston for meritorious service in connection with ground operation against a hostile force states: "Through untiring efforts and professional ability, he consistently obtained outstanding results. He was quick to grasp the implication of new problems with which he was faced as a result of the ever changing situations inherent in a counterinsurgency operation and to find ways and means to solve these problems. The energetic application of his extensive knowledge has materially contributed to the efforts of the United States mission to the Republic of Vietnam to assist that country in ridding itself of the communist threat to its freedom."
Jackie was called "Doc" by most of his buddies and was always there to give them help and advise.

A VOW THAT WAS FULFILLED EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER
Clifford Elston, the father of Jackie Elston, had always wanted to go to Washington, D.C. to see Jackie's name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Jackie was very special to his father as his other children were also. Clifford and Betty went on a Bus tour back east in October of 1986. This was a very touching moment as he stood at the wall looking as his sons name with tears in his eyes. This was a dream that was fulfilled eighteen years later. One month after they came home from the bus tour, Clifford passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1986. Posted by: Dickie Elston

JACKIE LINDELL ELSTON
is honored on Panel 52E, Row 36 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

ALFRED DEAN HILDEBRAND SP4 ARMY CORDELL OK 4/28/1949 - 1/4/1969 Profile

ALFRED DEAN HILDEBRAND
is honored on Panel 35W, Row 34 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

CLARENCE EARL MOORE WO ARMY CORDELL OK 11/8/1938 - 9/30/1965 Profile

CLARENCE EARL MOORE
is honored on Panel 2E, Row 100 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

JAMES CURTIS MOORE SMS AIR FORCE BURNS FLAT OK 9/6/1931 - 12/22/1969 Profile

JAMES CURTIS MOORE
is honored on Panel 15W, Row 82 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

AUBREY EUGENE JR STOWERS MAJ AIR FORCE SENTINEL OK 10/1/1941 - 3/21/1968 Profile

AUBREY EUGENE JR STOWERS
is honored on Panel 45E, Row 52 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

STOWERS
SERVICE: US AIR FORCE ( Complete Service Report )
RANK: O2
STATUS: XX - PRESUMPTIVE FINDING OF DEATH
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1968/03/21
HOME OF RECORD: SENTINEL, OK ( Complete State Report )
COUNTRY OF LOSS: LAOS
VEHICLE TYPE: F4D

ERNEST RAY TAYLOR PFC ARMY SENTINEL OK 2/15/1948 - 6/1/1968 Profile

ERNEST RAY TAYLOR
is honored on Panel 61W, Row 7 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.