Labadie, Jr. October 8, 1958 – April 7, 2004 SFC – Army
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Compiled, designed and edited by Leslie Mount for the City of Del City 6th Edition, November 2015 View online or leave a comment at www.cityofdelcity.com If you have any information about the heroes on these pages, please contact Leslie Mount City of Del City 3701 S.E. 15th Street Del City, OK 73115 (405) 670-7302 [email protected] Billy A. Krowse December 14, 1925 – March 13, 1945 PFC – US Army World War II illy attended the Oklahoma Military ably reorganized the remnants of the unit, and B Academy in Claremore, Oklahoma. He issued orders for a continued assault. Observing had completed a year of college before enlisting a hostile machine gun position holding up fur- in the Army on March 25, 1944, for a term of ther advance, he proceeded alone under fire and the duration of the war plus six months. Billy succeeded in personally eliminating the enemy was proud to serve his country, and his goal was position. While clearing the area around the to attend Officer Candidate School. gun position, he was killed by a hidden enemy rifleman, but his indomitable courage so Billy was posthumously awarded inspired his comrades that they surged forward the Distinguished Service Cross and secured the hill. The consummate for “… extraordinary heroism determination, exemplary leadership, and heroic in connection with military self-sacrifice, clearly displayed by Private operations against an armed Krowse reflect the highest credit upon himself, enemy while serving with the 78th Infantry Division, and the United States Company G, 311th Infantry Army.” [Department of the Army, General Regiment, 78th Infantry Division, Orders No. 89, October 3, 1952.] Distinguished in action against enemy forces Service Cross on 13 March 1945, near Billy was 19 years old when he Honnef, Germany. was killed in action near Honnef, Germany, and he was During a mission to secure terrain known as temporarily buried in Henri “Cemetery Hill,” Billy’s platoon came under Chapelle Cemetery in Belgium. intense enemy fire that “… inflicted numerous Billy’s final resting place is at casualties and pinned the unit down. In the Oak Crest Abbey Mausoleum in initial attack, when the platoon leader and the Park Cemetery, Carthage, Jasper Purple Heart noncommissioned officers were either killed or County, Missouri. wounded, Private Krowse assumed command, Vietnam second page Thomas Lee "Tom" Burton February 27, 1944 – March 1, 1969 1stLt – US Marine Corps Vietnam War om graduated from Del City High School in 1962. T A fellow pilot who knew Tom well remembers that he had a great sense of humor and never took himself too seriously, although he took his responsibilities very seriously. Tom was a member of HMM-164, Marine Air Group Air Medal National Defense 36, 1st MAW, III MAF. He co-piloted a CH-46 “Sea Service Medal Knight” helicopter that crashed due to a mechanical failure seven miles southeast of Hue City, Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam, during a test flight. Of the three crew members aboard that fateful flight, two survived and Tom was killed. Tom’s length of service was four years, and he was 25 years old. Tom is buried Vietnam Republic of Vietnam at Sunny Lane Cemetery, Del City, Oklahoma. Service Medal Campaign Medal Crash of 1stLt Burton’s Helicopter 1stLt Tom Burton In Memory of Tom Burton We sat quietly there In that red dirt-gutted ready room. I wasn’t sure whether the old Bullet-town “Huey” blade could hold The weight of eight laden pilots Whose hearts today would Outweigh their total human bulk. It’s still quiet, though not serene. No, I didn’t say a word But we each dared the other To speak the first regretful Or even scornful apology. The unannounced news we had Already known came fast and still Lingers late between red eyes And cans of Red Label. You know, the unexpected is always expected. Yet the surprise of death Wants the attention it Doesn’t deserve. That last conquest. Lost? Fate just hasn’t the strength. Tom doesn’t fear anymore, and Has he given up? I dare say no! That quiet voice and smoother Manner mirrored more than we Will ever know. At least now. Tomorrow I’ll rise and remember His smile, enough to encompass all That our minds can comprehend. March 1st is nearly time’s possession. And another day is added to my Budding memory list that I Would give to you for one Piastre. –Allen G. Orcutt, excerpt from No Rest Elsewhere, Vietnam Notes, 1968-2008 Galvin Lee Duncan December 18, 1947 – September 4, 1967 LCpl – US Marine Corps Vietnam War alvin was in the 11th grade at Capitol Hill Galvin’s death devastated his entire family, G High School when he and his family especially his mother, who became an active moved to Del City in 1964. He elected to finish member of Gold Star Mothers. Many of high school at Capitol Hill so that he could Galvin's teachers, classmates and friends graduate with his friends. While in high school, attended his funeral. Galvin touched many Galvin enjoyed his employment as a newspaper people who were saddened by his death. carrier for The Daily Oklahoman, and he won several awards for doing the job well. Galvin Galvin was a member of D Company, 1st enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduating Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. from high school in 1966, and he went through His length of service was between one and two basic training at Camp Pendleton. years. Galvin was in Vietnam for less than three months and was 19 years old when he was Galvin was the beloved son of Leroy and killed in action by a gunshot wound sustained Wanda Duncan, and the oldest of seven from hostile rifle fire on the first day of children, three boys and four girls. His family Operation Swift in Que Son Valley, in the feels the pain of losing him almost 50 years ago vicinity of Dong Son (1), Quang Nam Province, as though it were yesterday. They miss him and South Vietnam. Galvin is buried at Sunny Lane keep his memory alive by talking about him Cemetery, Del City, Oklahoma. often, especially to their children. He has a young nephew named Galvin in his honor. Purple Heart National Defense Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Service Medal Service Medal Campaign Medal Ronald Clyde “Ron” High December 16, 1949 – August 31, 1968 PFC – US Marine Corps Vietnam War Purple Heart National Defense Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Service Medal Service Medal Campaign Medal on graduated from Midwest City High several shell casings from the 21 gun salute at R School mid-term in 1967. He was an Ron’s funeral. He remembers that Ron was outstanding wrestler in high school. He also gung ho and very proud to be a Marine. rode bareback broncos in rodeo competition. He could have avoided military service due to a Ron was a member of the 3rd Platoon, H torn knee and a thyroid condition, but instead, Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Ron enlisted in the Marines at the age of 17. He Marine Division. He served for less than one completed basic training the summer of 1967. year and was 18 years old when he was killed in action by machinegun fire during a night ground Ron’s family was crushed by his death. For assault three miles west of the Rockpile in years, his mother left his room just as it was Quang Tri Province during Operation Scotland before he went to Vietnam. Ron’s nephew kept II (Truesdale). He had a premonition that he would die young. Ron is buried at Arlington Memory Gardens, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Michael Clint “Oklahoma Indian” Hope October 10, 1940 – June 7, 1970 CPT – US Army Vietnam War Silver Star Distinguished Flying Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Air Medal Army Commendation with Oak Leaf Cross with three Oak with Oak Leaf Cluster with Numerical Medal with “V” Cluster Leaf Clusters Device 44 Device and Oak Leaf Cluster National Defense Vietnam Service Four Republic of Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Service Medal Medal with Star Crosses of Gallantry Campaign Medal ike graduated from Del City High School After high school, Mike attended the University M in 1958. While in high school, he was a of Oklahoma and later took a civilian job at member of the National Honor Society, the Tinker Air Force Base. He enlisted in the Army State Honor Society, and the “D” Club. He was in 1965 and graduated from Officer Candidate also on the basketball “A” team and the football School in 1967. In April 1967, Mike went to team. A high school classmate described Mike Fixed Wing Flight School in Ft. Stewart, as a person of quiet authority, making him a Georgia. A friend who knew Mike before OCS natural leader. and later went through Flight School with him remembers that Mike was a very outgoing guy that everyone liked. Mike deployed to Vietnam on April 30, 1968, Flying Cross with three clusters, the Bronze Star from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He was assigned Medal with cluster, the Purple Heart, Air Medal a very desirable position of flying a twin engine with numerical device 44, and the Army turboprop airplane in Vietnam, but he quickly Commendation Medal with “V” device and transferred to a combat unit, flying an unarmed cluster. O-1 Bird Dog in visual reconnaissance missions in support of the Republic of Vietnam 18th Mike was a member of 74th AVN Company, ARVN Infantry Division. Mike’s O-1 Bird Dog 210th AVN Battalion, 12th AVN Group, 1st was named “The Buzzard.” AVN Brigade.