Earle J. Bemis
(1945-1969)
LT Earle John Bemis was born in London, England to Earle A. Bemis, Jr. and Florence Taylor on December 2, 1945. Bemis graduated from Sprayberry High School in 1963 and enrolled at North Georgia College that fall. At NGC, he was a member of the Band Company and planned to teach after graduation.
After graduation, Bemis planned to join the Peace Corps but on the advice of his father joined the Army instead. In April 1969, he began his tour in Vietnam as an infantry platoon leader. In June, while trying to save three men who were in a downed helicopter, Bemis was killed. Bemis saved two of the three men and died as he lived – in service to others.
Honored on Panel 23W, Line 35 of the wall.
Burton A. Blanton
(1937-1966)
Born in Charleston, SC in 1937, CAPT Burton “Skip” Blanton attended North Georgia College in 1958-1959. He later commissioned as a helicopter pilot and went to Vietnam as a member of the 1/9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division out of Ft. Moore, GA. Blanton was killed by enemy fire in March of 1966 while on a combat mission near Chau Pong Massif.
Honored on Panel 6E, Line 62 of the wall.
William A. Branch
(1941-1970)
CAPT William “Bill” Branch was born in 1941 and grew up in Fitzgerald, GA. He graduated from North Georgia College in 1963. During his time at NGC, Branch was a member of Scabbard and Blade, co-founded the Aggressor Platoon and the Mountain Order of Columbo, and was a member of the Blue Ridge Rifles, the Dramatics Club, and the YMCA.
Branch served two combat tours in Vietnam the first in 1966-1967 as a Military Assistance Command Vietnam advisor with the 2nd Battalion, 46th Army of the Republic of Vietnam Infantry. In 1969-1970, Branch returned to Vietnam as the Alph company commander of the 2/14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Branch was killed during a helicopter reconnaissance mission after he was moved to the Headquarters and Headquarter Company where he served as a Tactical Staff Intelligence Officer.
Honored on Panel 9W, Line 18 of the wall.
Welborn A. Callahan, Jr.
(1943-1967)
Welborn “Bill” Callahan was born in Columbus, GA while his father was stationed at Ft. Moore. In 1961, Callahan enrolled at North Georgia College. While at NGC, Callahan was a member of the Aggressor Platoon, Scabbard and Blade, Sigma Theta Fraternity, and Officers Club.
After graduating in 1965, Callahan commissioned in the Army as a 1LT. Serving in C Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Callahan’s Brigade participated in the first and only combat air jump in Vietnam. On March 3, 1967, Callahan was killed by a sniper in Tay Ninh Province. He was survived by his wife, LaJuan Callahan.
Honored on Panel 16E, Line 7 of the wall.
Ralph D. Cordell
(1935-1967)
MAJ Ralph Cordell was born in Hartwell, GA in 1935 and graduated from North Georgia College in 1957. At NGC he was a member of the Dramatics Club, the Officer’s Club, and Scabbard and Blade. He was the vice president of Sigma Theta fraternity.
Cordell was assigned to the 1st Logistical Command in Vietnam and was killed when his helicopter crashed outside of Can Tho. At the time, Cordell was overseeing a construction project for the Special Forces. He was survived by his wife, Bobbie Cordell and their three children, Ralph, Gregg, and Elizabeth.
Honored on Panel 14E, Line 33 of the wall.
William C. Elrod, Jr.
(1940-1971)
MAJ William Elrod, Jr. was born in 1940 in Byronville, GA. After attending the Georgia Military Academy, Elrod enrolled at North Georgia College in 1958. At North Georgia he served as editor of the Cadet Bugler and sponsored Phi Omicron.
After graduation in 1962, Elrod was stationed Fairbanks, AK from 1963-1965. His first tour in Vietnam was 1967-1968 in which he served as an Advisor to South Vietnamese troops. In August 1970 he began his second tour as an Advisor to the 3rd Battalion, 41st regiment of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. He was killed in April 1971 when the camp he was in Kontum was counter attacked. He was survived by his wife, Claudia and their three children, William, Anne, and Allison.
Honored on Panel 4W, Line 123 of the wall.
Robert W. Garth, Jr.
(1939-1966)
CAPT Robert “Bobby” Garth was born in 1939 in Madison, GA. Garth came to North Georgia College in the fall of 1957. While at NGC, Garth was a member of Scabbard and Blade, Rex Fraternity, and was on the Dean’s List.
Upon graduating, Garth was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Platoon Leader in E Company, 327th Infantry. After attending the Army Aviation School at Ft. Novosel, AL, he was assigned to fly in the 3rd Armored Division. Garth’s first tour in Vietnam began in 1966 and he flew with the 220th aviation Company, 223d Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. In September of 1966, while on a recon mission, Garth was hit by enemy fire. Garth was survived by his wife Farrell.
Honored on Panel 11E, Line 2 of the wall.
Walter M. Gibson
(1946-1969)
Born in Red Oak, GA in 1946, LT Walter “Hoot” Gibson enrolled at North Georgia College in 1964. Gibson served as the Junior Class Treasurer and chaplain for the NCO club. After graduating in 1968, Gibson began his career as an Infantry Unit Commander in the 101st Airborne Division’s 3rd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (the Currahees).
In July 1969 he began his tour in Vietnam. He was killed in action on October 28, 1969, when his platoon engaged an enemy position during a combat operation. Prior to his death, Gibson was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
Honored on Panel 17W, Line 127 of the wall.
John E. Greene
(1943-1972)
John Edward Greene was born in Albany, Georgia on September 4, 1943. Greene graduated from Albany High School in 1961 and was enrolled in North Georgia College from 1961-1965. He graduated from NGC with a B.A. in History and received the Military History Award. After graduation, Greene was commissioned by the U.S. Army and achieved the rank of Captain.
His tour in Vietnam began in November 1971 where he served with MACV Advisors, Headquarters Advisory Team 28. On March 13, 1972, CAPT John E. Greene was fatally wounded during a hostile ground encounter in Phu Yen Province. Greene was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, a Vietnam Service Medal, and a National Defense Medal.
Honored on Panel 2W, Line 114 of the wall.
Richard A. Gwinn
(1947-1969)
Richard A. Gwinn, born in 1947, grew up in a military family. He graduated from Anchorage High School. He attended North Georgia College, where his father taught in the Military Department, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation from NGC.
Gwinn served as an Infantry Unit Commander in the Third Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to Vietnam in 1969. Tragically, he was killed in action that September. Gwinn is remembered for his compassion and his leadership, inspiring those around him to achieve excellence.
Honored on Panel 17W, Line 10 of the wall.
Joseph Hillman, III
(1944-1968)
Joseph “Joe” Hillman III was born on November 18, 1944 in Piedmont, Alabama. His father joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1939 and served for over twenty years. Joe was taken around the world by his military father and received his elementary education in Japan. In 1963, Joe enrolled at North Georgia College and graduated in 1967.
His first tour of Vietnam began in December 1967 where he served as a rifle platoon leader in the Third Brigade of the 101st. On July 22, 1969, 1st Lt. Joseph Hillman III was shot and killed during an air assault near the Hua Nghia Province. His remains were recovered and currently rest in Oak Knoll Cemetery in Georgia.
Honored on Panel 51W, Line 30 of the wall.
William H. Hunt
(1946-1969)
William “Bill” Howard Hunt was born in New York on November 6, 1946 and grew up in Gainesville, Florida. Hunt and his family moved to Thomasville, Georgia while he was in high school. He attended Thomasville High School and graduated in 1964. He enrolled at North Georgia College in 1964 where he considered military training a top priority. Hunt returned to Dahlonega a newlywed and served as a Platoon Commander in Bravo Company. He graduated Spring 1968 with a B.S. in Business Administration and then joined the U.S. Marines as a 2nd Lieutenant an headed a platoon.
Hunt’s Vietnam tour began on December 21, 1968. On February 5, 1969, 2nd Lt. William “Bill” Howard Hunt was killed in action near the Khe Sanh area. His remains were escorted home by classmate and fellow marine, Jim Ruska.
Honored on Panel 31W, Line 49 of the wall.
Charles B. Johnson, Jr.
(1934-1963)
Charles Buford Johnson, Jr. was born in Oglethorpe, Georgia on April 17, 1938. Johnson attended North Georgia College from 1953-1957 where he flourished as an active student. He was on the varsity basketball team, was involved in the Rex fraternity, the Corp of Cadets, the YMCA, the Letterman’s Club, played intramural football, and joined the officer’s club.
Johnson graduated from NGC in 1957 with a B.A. in History and was deployed to Vietnam in 1960 to serve as a military advisor in the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG). He was one of the first Americans to arrive in Vietnam and the first Georgian to be killed in the war. On June 14, 1963, CAPT Charles B. Johnson, Jr. was fatally shot by a sniper while in the passenger seat of a jeep. The group was unarmed at the time.
Honored on Panel 1E, Line 23 of the wall.
Milo P. Johnson
(1939-1967)
Milo P. Johnson, born October 2, 1939 in Augusta, Georgia, attended North Georgia College and graduated with a B.A. in Biology in 1961. He was commissioned in Army and joined the Special Forces, where he attained the rank of Captain.
Johnson began his tour of Vietnam in July of 1967. On September 1, 1967, less than two months after arriving in Vietnam, CAPT Milo P. Johnson was fatally shot by friendly fire while trying to break up a fight in the Phouc Tuy Province.
Honored on Panel 25E, Line 78 of the wall.
Gary C. Jones
(1943-1968)
Born in Atlanta, Georgia on March 24, 1943, Gary Calhoun Jones graduated in 1966 from Georgia State College where he was an active member of JROTC, Scabbard and Blade military society, and Kappa Sigma Fraternity. U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jones was awarded a Bronze Medal in September 1967 for displaying heroism in combat.
On February 9, 1969, Jones was killed in action in the Gia Dinh Province in southern Vietnam. Because of his extraordinary heroism in combat that saved countless lives, Jones was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. 1st Lt. Jones was buried with full military honors in Fairburn, Georgia.
Honored on Panel 38E, Line 53 of the wall.
Francis McDowall, Jr.
(1944-1969)
On September 2, 1944, Francis “Mac” McDowall Jr. was born in Lawrenceville, GA. He enrolled at North Georgia College in 1963 for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Army. McDowall attended Aviation School at Ft. Rucker, Alabama and graduated as a helicopter pilot in 1968. “Mac” was deployed to Camp Evans near the North Vietnam border and trained to fly a Cobra helicopter for aerial and fire support.
In 1969, McDowall’s unit was moved to Qan Loi, east of Binh Phuoc Province. On August 12, 1969, the Qan Loi base was attacked, and the Cobra pilots were tasked with air support. Around dawn, McDowall landed to refuel and rearm. Before he could disembark, his Cobra was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade that killed him instantly. A memorial for WO Francis “Mac” McDowall Jr. is installed at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.
Honored on Panel 19W, Line 18 of the wall.
Larron D. Murphy
(1944-1970)
Larron D. Murphy was born on October 5, 1944 in Dalton, Georgia. Murphy attended North Georgia College from 1962 to 1967 before enlisting in the U.S. Army as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander.
While on a search and rescue mission on April 23, 1970, the helicopter transporting Murphy reported that it was crashing. Search parties were unable to find the remains of the crew or the helicopter. Murphy was considered missing in action for five years, and in 1975 the Army pronounced Murphy dead. CAPT Larron D. Murphy’s body was never recovered from the Quang Nam Province.
Honored on Panel 11W, Line 41 of the wall.
Roy L. Murphy
(1944-1965)
Roy Lynwood Murphy was born in Moultrie, Georgia on February 13, 1944. He enrolled at North Georgia College for one year in 1962, was a member of the Corp of Cadets, and belonged to Alpha Company, second platoon. Murphy enlisted with the U.S. Marines, attended the Amphibious Raid School, and began training in Okinawa, Japan.
During an ambush mission, Murphy and his unit faced enemy fire from Vietcong hidden in the jungle. Murphy exposed himself and returned fire in the hopes that his squad would survive. Lance Corporal Roy L. Murphy was fatally wounded and died May 29, 1965 near the Chu Lai Airstrip.
Honored on Panel 1E, Line 128 of the wall.
John R. Pearson
(1934-1966)
Born in Thomasville, GA on April 27, 1934, John Rudolph Pearson was a popular and well-loved figure at North Georgia College during his enrollment. He graduated from NGC in 1956 where he was an active member of Sigma Theta, the NCO Club, Officer’s Club, B.A. Club, and Scabbard and Blade. Pearson was also the President of the Sophomore Class, a member of the Pan-Hellenic Council, and Band Company Commander.
Peason was commissioned by the U.S. Army Special Forces branch and participated in classified missions in South Vietnam. On August 17, 1966, MAJ John R. Peason was killed in action around Duc Co in Pleiku Provence.
Honored on Panel 10E, Line 16 of the wall.
Robert L. Phillips
(1946-1970)
Robert Littleton Phillips was born in Oxford, Georgia on August 10, 1945. While at North Georgia College from 1964-1968, Phillips was an engaged and active student. He was a member of Corp of Cadets, the Scabbard and Blade, Sigma Theta, and Glee Club.
Phillips was commissioned to the U.S. Army in 1968 and reached the rank of 1st Lieutenant and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Captain. While trying to signal medical evacuation helicopters on May 6, 1970, Cpt. Robert L. Phillips was fatally shot in a region of Northern Vietnam.
Honored on Panel 11W, Line 116 of the wall.
Robert I. Rabb
(1946-1970)
Robert Ira Rabb, born October 16, 1946 in Darien, GA, was a student at North Georgia College from 1964 until his tour of Vietnam in 1969. Rabb was commissioned into the Infantry branch and was a graduate of flight school class 69-18.
During a secret mission to the west of Quan Loi, the helicopter piloted by Rabb and his unit was hit with a rocket propelled grenade. The helicopter exploded, killing 1st Lt. Robert I. Rabb in the Phuoc Long Province in Southeast Vietnam.
Honored on Panel 11W, Line 105 of the wall.
Robert N. Sauls
(1941-1969)
Robert Ned Sauls was born in East Point, Georgia on September 12, 1941. He was adopted by his stepfather Loyse Albert “Rip” Sauls, who served in the U.S. military for over twenty years. After graduating from high school in 1959, Sauls enrolled in North Georgia College for one year and then enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Sauls served for eight years and reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer before being killed in action on March 11, 1969 in the Kontum Province, South Vietnam. CWO Robert N. Sauls was fatally wounded by enemy fire while trying to save the life of an injured Vietnamese officer.
Honored on Panel 29W, Line 14 of the wall.
Leonard Smith
(1945-1967)
Leonard Howard Smith was born in LaGrange, GA on July 26, 1945. Known as “Smitty” by his U.S. Marine brothers, Smith attended North Georgia College from 1963-1965. He joined the U.S. Marines and reached the rank of Lance Corporal in the 11th Engineer Battalion. Smitty dreamed of going to dental school after serving his year in Vietnam, but that dream was tragically cut short.
On April 2, 1967, LCpl Leonard H. Smith was killed by enemy gun fire during an ambush near Ca Lu and Dong Ha, Vietnam. Smitty’s life-long friend Dr. Richard L. Sheridan wrote, “Leonard would have been a damn good dentist”.
Honored on Panel 18E, Line 88 of the wall.
Daniel R. Spurlin
(1942-1968)
Daniel R. Spurlin was born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 19, 1942 to parents, Majorie Smith Spurlin and Daniel Dawson Spurlin. Spurlin attended the North Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA from 1961 to 1964 before enlisting in the U.S. Army.
First Lieutenant Spurlin served in the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) unit until he was tragically killed in action on September 19, 1968 in Gò Công, a southern region of Vietnam.
Honored on Panel 43W, Line 43 of the wall.
Benny T. Stowers
(1924-1966)
On March 4, 1934, in the tiny town of Juno, Georgia, Benny Thomas Stowers was born. After graduating high school in 1950, Stowers tried his hand at stone masonry work with his uncle, which turned out to be hard work. Stowers entered North Georgia College in 1951 as the first member of his family to attend college, in the hopes of finding easier work for pay. He transferred to the University of Georgia in 1952 where he joined JROTC and the brand-new poultry science program. Stowers graduated from UGA in 1955, gained his commission in the Air Force, attended flight school, and did a tour of Korea.
In March 1966, Stowers was sent to Okinawa to pilot KC-135 midair refueling jets for the B-52s on bombing runs over North Vietnam. On May 18, 1966, Captain Benny Thomas Stowers’s plane took off during a storm and tragically crashed near the runway. His body was recovered and buried at Juno Baptist Church in Dawson County.
Honored on Panel 8E, Line 9 of the wall.
Robert A. Thompson
(1939-1967)
On July 11, 1939, Robert “Bo” Acquinn Thompson was born in Lincolnton, Georgia. He attended Avondale High School until graduating in 1957. While at North Georgia College, Thompson was an engaged student who joined intramural sports, corp of cadets, and the color guard. Thompson graduated from NGC in 1961 as an Assistant S-3 in the Second Battle Group. In 1964, during his first tour of duty in Vietnam, Thompson was awarded a Purple Heart for saving the life of his co-pilot.
In 1966, Thompson returned to Vietnam for a second tour. On August 9, 1967, the helicopter piloted by Captain Robert “Bo” Thompson was heavily shot, caught fire, and plummeted to the ground. The helicopter exploded on impact, killing Thompson and his crew. Thompson’s body was recovered and escorted back to Marietta, Georgia for a military burial by his best friend, "Banjo" Davis.
Honored on Panel 24E, Line 97 of the wall.
Robert P. Tidwell
(1945-1969)
Robert Paul Tidwell was born on November 10, 1945 in Douglassville, Georgia and attended Douglassville High School. After high school, Tidwell enrolled at North Georgia College where in his senior year, he married his wife Emily. Tidwell graduated from NGC in 1967 and was commissioned into the Army, trained, and then sent to Vietnam.
1st Lt. Robert P. Tidwell was leading his platoon through the Vietnamese jungle when he was tragically killed in an ambush. He is remembered as a quiet, respected, and quality leader that earned the loyalty of his unit.
Honored on Panel 26W, Line 80 of the wall.
Charles R. Williams
(1936-1966)
Charles Ross Williams, born August 13, 1936 in Forsyth, Georgia, graduated from the North Georgia College and State University in 1958. He was commissioned and attended the Army’s flight school program, where after completion he was a part of a joint effort between the Army and Navy to seek out and destroy Vietcong or NVA forces.
On the night of July 12, 1966, Williams went to pilot his Seawolf Helicopter for a search and destroy mission. During takeoff, it was too dark to see the horizon, lending Williams unable to establish a rate of climb. Captain Charles R. Williams’ helicopter tragically crashed into the ocean, killing him off the shore of Mekong Delta.
Honored on Panel 9E, Line 18 of the wall.
David B. Wood
(1947-1971)
1st Lt. David Beavers Wood was born on February 16, 1947, in Douglasville, GA. Wood majored in American History at North Georgia College from 1965-1969. He was an engaged and admired student who participated in different clubs and groups on campus, including acting as president of the Wesley Foundation and Political Science Club. After graduation, Wood was commissioned and assigned to the 197the Infantry Brigade at Ft. Benning. Wood received permission to leave Vietnam in August 1971 to attend graduate school at Valdosta State University.
On April 26, 1971, only three months before his approved early out, 1st Lt. David B. Wood was tragically killed during a patrol of the Quang Tin Province. In honor of his service and life, North Georgia College created the David B. Wood Memorial Scholarship and his hometown of Douglassville, GA lists his name on the Eternal Flame monument.
Honored on Panel 3W, Line 14 of the wall.