JIM HAUCK: One of the Vietnam veterans we highlighted in the
special edition we published to mark the ongoing visit of The
Moving Wall was Jim Hauck.[neWLine]

Jim earned a Bronze Star, quite an accomplishment, during his
time in Vietnam.[neWLine]

But the story of how he earned the medal was inadvertently
omitted from the edition.[neWLine]

Kelly Herzog of Smethport, who interviewed Jim about his
experience in Vietnam, provides that narrative today:[neWLine]

“”When Jim’s company was positioned at Bu Dop, approximately
2,000 meters from the Cambodian border, they encountered intensive
claymore mines, machine gun and other fire from a large Viet Cong
force while setting up an ambush.[neWLine]

“”As squad leader, he unhesitatingly exposed himself to hostile
force to deploy his men, direct their fire, check their position
and ensure they had enough ammunition.[neWLine]

“”A scout dog was later utilized to detect if the Viet Cong were
closing in. Once the scout dog alerted the company, the VC broke up
their ambush and moved on. Jim’s display of ‘aggressiveness,
devotion to duty and personal bravery’ earned him the Bronze
Star.””[neWLine]

Kelly also tells us a couple details in the report we published
were a little off base.[neWLine]

Correctly, “”Jim was a member of the Army’s 1st Infantry
division. Their motto was ‘No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice
too Great, Duty First.’ His unit, the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry,
was known as the Black Lions of Cantigny, which originated during
World War II.””[neWLine]

Also, “”The two men on Jim’s squad who gave their lives were
Ronnie Wearmouth and Johnnie Douglas.””[neWLine]

Kelly concludes, “”The effort given by Jim and Vietnam veterans
will always be appreciated and never forgotten. As veterans tell
their stories, we begin to understand a little more and perhaps
develop a different perspective. Take the time to listen, and I
guarantee that it will be a memorable experience for both of
you.””[neWLine][neWLine]

PAT FRANCO JR.: We hear from Pat Franco of Rew whose son, Pat
Jr., was a Vietnamese linguist stationed in Hawaii for six years.
His outfit was the one which brought Bib DeLucia’s remains out of
China. DeLucia’s plane had crashed on a mission over China in World
War II.[neWLine]

Pat Jr. also received an award as part of an investigative group
which found 55 remains in Vietnam. He also found a plane that had
crashed on Oahu and had been missing since 1944.