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Today, we honor the life and sacrifice of Sergeant Arnold Noel Jaco, a brave U.S. Airman who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1969 during the Vietnam War. He was just 23 years old.

A resident of Benton, Kentucky, Sgt. Jaco served with unwavering commitment with the 554th Reconnaissance Squadron, 553rd Reconnaissance Wing, 7th Air Force.

Sgt. Jaco was killed when his aircraft crashed just 200 feet away from the runway during a rainstorm at Korat Air Base in Thailand after returning from a 13-hour recon mission over Southeast Asia. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.

Beginning his tour in Vietnam on April 14, 1969, Sgt. Jaco’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of an Airman who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

Sgt. Jaco’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W18, Line 47, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about Sgt. Jaco 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 Sgt. Jaco 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 Edward Lee Rankin, 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 19 years old.

A resident of La Grange, Kentucky, PFC Rankin served with unwavering commitment as a Construction Equipment Repairer (MOS 62B20) with 553rd Engineer Company, 577th Engineer Battalion, 35th Engineer Group, 18th Engineer Brigade, United States Army Vietnam Engineer Command, United States Army Vietnam. 

At the time of his death, PFC Rankin was deployed in the Darlac 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. 6, 1967, PFC Rankin’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

PFC Rankin’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel 25E, Line 71, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about PFC Rankin 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 Rankin 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 Captain Harreld Pirtle Martin, a brave U.S. Airman who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1968 during the Vietnam War. He was just 27 years old.

A resident of Cromwell, Kentucky, Capt. Martin served with unwavering commitment as a Tactical Aircraft Pilot (MOS 1115) with 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 504th Tactical Air Support Group, 7th Air Force.

At the time of his death, Capt. Martin 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 Jan. 29, 1968, Capt. Martin’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of an Airman who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

Capt. Martin’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W47, Line 48, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about Capt. Martin 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 Capt. Martin 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 Staff Sergeant Stephen Allen Sharp, a brave U.S. Army Soldier who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1970 during the Vietnam War. He was just 21 years old.

A resident of Sebree, Kentucky, SSG Sharp served with unwavering commitment as an Infantryman (MOS 11B40) with 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.

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

Beginning his tour in Vietnam on Feb. 9, 1970, SSG Sharp’s service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

SSG Sharp’s service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W8, Line 117, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about SSG Sharp 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 SSG Sharp 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 Specialist Four Arnold Lovins, a brave U.S. Army Soldier who gave his life in service to our country on this day in 1971 during the Vietnam War. He was just 20 years old.

A resident of London, Kentucky, SP4 Lovins served with unwavering commitment as an Infantryman (MOS 11B20) with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, United States Army Vietnam.

At the time of his death, SP4 Lovins was deployed in the Quang Tin Province of South Vietnam. His body was recovered, and his memory has been preserved with honor ever since.

Beginning his tour in Vietnam on March 10, 1971, SP4 Lovins’ service exemplified the courage and devotion of a Soldier who upheld the values of honor, courage, and commitment to the very end.

SP4 Lovins’ service and sacrifice are permanently memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, at Panel W3, Line 126, and here at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

To learn more about SP4 Lovins 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 SP4 Lovins or any other Kentucky veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, we kindly invite you to share them with us here.