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.
