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Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Corporal Ralph Michael Hooks, a brave U.S Marine who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1969 during the Vietnam War. He was just 20 years old.

A resident of Princeton, Kentucky, Corporal Hooks served with unwavering commitment as a Rifleman (MOS 0311) with Scout/Sniper Platoon, Headquarters Company, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force. 

At the time of his death, Corporal Hooks 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 Nov. 21, 1968, Corporal Hook’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Marine who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

Corporal Hook’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W18, Line 15, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about Corporal Hook 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 Corporal Hooks 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 U.S. Army Specialist 5 Larry Shea, a brave Soldier who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1969 during the Vietnam War. He was just 21 years old.

A resident of Eminence, Kentucky, SP5 Shea served with unwavering commitment as a Armor Crewman (MOS 11E20) with Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam. 

At the time of his death, SP5 Shea 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 April 4, 1968, SP5 Shea’s two years of service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

SP5 Shea’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W19, Line 109, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about SP5 Shea 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 SP5 Shea 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 John Curtis Burden, a brave U.S. Navy Hospitalman who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1967 during the Vietnam War. He was just 19 years old.

A resident of Madisonville, Kentucky, Burden served with unwavering commitment with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Amphibious Force. 

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

Burden’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a U.S. Navy Sailor who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end. His service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel 25E, Line 4, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about Burden 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 Burden or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.

This was one of those perfect days at the Memorial.

The group stopped and drew attention to the Armistice Day notch as the shadow passed through it at the 11:00 hour on 11/11.

10 am: Rolling Thunder KY Chapter 5 held their annual ceremony, including opening prayer, Flag pledge, National Anthem, several speakers, closing prayer, and TAPS.

10:45 am: Board members Jerry Cecil and Frank Cannavo conducted a briefing to the Chapter members and about 15-20 other visitors who gathered on the Plaza.

11:15 am: University of Kentucky Air Force ROTC cadets arrived after their morning marathon from UK’s Buell Armory to the Memorial to conduct their annual POW/MIA Memorial program.  There were 64 Cadets + cadre. Once again, Jerry  and Frank explained the meaning of the Memorial and how it works.