News

Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Private First Class Larry Gene Ratliff, a brave U.S. Marine who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1968 during the Vietnam War. He was just 20 years old.

A resident of Louisa, Kentucky, PFC Ratliff served with unwavering commitment as a Rifleman (MOS 0311) with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force. 

At the time of his death, PFC Ratliff was deployed in the Quang Nam Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.

Beginning his tour in Vietnam on Oct. 14, 1968, PFC Ratliff’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Marine who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

PFC Ratliff’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W37, Line 59, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about PFC Ratliff and his service to our country, click here. To leave a tribute to him on the Wall of Faces, click here.
If you have any additional information, photos, or videos related to PFC Ratliff or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.

Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of First Lieutenant Kenneth Ragan Shoemaker, Jr, a brave U.S. Army Soldier who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was just 26 years old.

A resident of Owensboro, Kentucky, 1LT Shoemaker served with unwavering commitment as a Nurse Anesthetist (MOS 3445) with 67th Evacuation Hospital, 55th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

At the time of his death, 1LT Shoemaker was deployed in the Binh Dinh Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.

Beginning his tour in Vietnam on July 2, 1967, 1LT Shoemaker’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

1LT Shoemaker’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel 31E, Line 17, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about 1LT Shoemaker and his service to our country, click here. To leave a tribute to him on the Wall of Faces, click here.

If you have any additional information, photos, or videos related to 1LT Shoemaker or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.

Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Private First Class Howard Ray Wilhoit, Jr, a brave U.S. Marine who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1968 during the Vietnam War. He was just 19 years old.

A resident of Ludlow, Kentucky, PFC Wilhoit served with unwavering commitment as a Rifleman (MOS 0311) with L Company, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force. 

At the time of his death, PFC Wilhoit was deployed in the Quang Nam Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.

Beginning his tour in Vietnam on Dec. 27, 1967, PFC Wilhoit’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Marine who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

PFC Wilhoit’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W38, Line 47, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about PFC Wilhoit and his service to our country, click here. To leave a tribute to him on the Wall of Faces, click here.

If you have any additional information, photos, or videos related to PFC Wilhoit or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.

For a special Veterans Day episode of WDRB-TV’s Crossroads program, host Dalton Godbey interviewed Michael Davidson, Maj. Gen., U.S. Army, Retired, President of the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. During the segment, Davidson reflected on his time in Vietnam, explained the memorial’s unique design, and shared KVVM’s mission and legacy.

Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Warrant Officer Eddie Wayne Brown, a brave U.S. Army Soldier who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1968 during the Vietnam War. He was just 20 years old.

A resident of Jamestown, Kentucky, WO Brown served with unwavering commitment as a Helicopter Pilot (MOS 062B) with C Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade, U.S. Army Vietnam. 

At the time of his death, WO Brown was deployed in the Hau Nghia Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.

Beginning his tour in Vietnam on Aug. 31, 1968, WO Brown’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

WO Brown’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W39, Line 74, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about WO Brown and his service to our country, click here. To leave a tribute to him on the Wall of Faces, click here.

If you have any additional information, photos, or videos related to WO Brown or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.