William R Miller
William R. Miller /2nd Platoon
William R. "Bill" Miller died in 2010 in Springfield, IL. He was born December 24, 1944 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the son of William Robert and Thelma L. Sims Miller. He married Constance A. "Connie" Woodward on December 23, 1968. Bill graduated from Mendel Catholic Boys School and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He was a member of the Elks and Delta Chi Fraternity and enjoyed a good game of golf. Bill is survived by his wife, Connie of Springfield; a son, Tripp (Cary) Miller of Fairway, KS; a daughter, Abbey (Zac) Sigler of St. Louis; and two grandsons, Chase and Cooper Miller.
Wayne H Onken
Wayne H. Onken / 3rd Platoon
Wayne Onken, born October 12, 1946 in Murray County, Minnesota, passed away on May 30, 1984 in Slayton Minnesota, his home town. He married Kathryn Ann Kuehne June 16, 1973 in Slayton, MN. Records show a daughter Hope Kathryn Onken born in 1977 also in Minnesota. We have been unable to obtain an obituary.
William N Pascual
William (Bill) N. Pascual / 1st Platoon
Bill Pascual passed away in Laguna Niguel, California on October 25, 2017. Sheri Pascual, Bill’s wife of 50 years, informed us that he had had a massive heart attack while running. She said it was the way he would have wanted to go, with no suffering and doing something he loved. Bill was nominated Citizen of the Year for the Laguna Niguel where he was very active in the community. He started a running race that raised money for the YMCA back in 1979, which he and Sheri continued to organize for 10 years. I’m glad to say that it is still going.
He had been a runner since college and swam for an hour a day in the community pool. People knew him from running because he would run 10 to 20 miles and would come into contact with many folks along the way. He won National Championship springboard diving meets during college. He had full-ride scholarships to Columbia University in New York and Washington State University. He chose Washington State. He taught school and was a counselor for his last 20 years. He coached swimming, water polo, wrestling, running and baseball during his teaching career. Scott Davis represented 50thCompany at the celebration of Bill’s life.
Ratko I Sikovic
Ratko I. Sikovic / 2nd Platoon
Ratko Sikovic was born Jan. 5, 1945 in Zagreb, former Yugoslavia. He passed away on Dec. 9, 2005 in Abington, Maryland and is buried at the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, MD. He is survived by his wife Katherine and two children. They currently live in Alabama.
Thomas J Smith company commander
Thomas J. Smith / Company Commander 50th Co Infantry OCS
Retired Major Thomas J. Smith “slainte,” died Friday, July 29, 2016, at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse and his wife, Barbara, was at his side. Tom was born in Detroit on Feb. 28, 1943. His parents died when he was young and at age 12, he went to Boysville, a boarding school for at-risk youth. He excelled in sports, especially football, and attended Adrian College on scholarship.
He enlisted in the Army in 1963 to play installation military football at Fort Knox, KY. Football was short lived because of a knee injury. He was then assigned to Fort Dix, NJ, then to Fort Benning, GA, where he attended OCS. Four days after his graduation from OCS he married Barbara Kaye Dugan in Toledo, Ohio. Over the years Tom and Barb lived in many places and had three wonderful sons, Brian, Mike and Terry.
Tom was a basic training company commander at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He was sent to Vietnam in 1967 and served as a rifle company commander. There, he was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. He spent two months in Japan for treatment and returned to Vietnam, in November 1967, as an assistant S-3 and in time for the Tet Offensive.
The Smith family made homes in Germany, Michigan, Kansas and Fort McCoy, WI — his last duty station before retirement. At Fort McCoy he was the director of personnel and community activities. His most memorable time frame was during the 1980 Cuban refugee settlement. He retired from the Army in 1983, settled in Sparta, and began a second career teaching and coaching. He taught at St. Patrick’s school in Sparta, for 14 years. His sons were active in sports and Tom was an assistant football and wrestling coach for many years. In 1997, Tom joined Aric Soderblum to establish Sparta Area Independent Learning School (SAILS) to help at risk students. He was especially proud of the establishment of SAILS.
He was also a Veteran’s advocate, an ambassador for Teach Vietnam, and was privileged to travel to Washington, D.C., to read names at the 25th Anniversary of the Wall. Tom retired from teaching in 2005, and was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma three months later. Over the last 11 years, he endured numerous chemo and radiation treatments and a stem cell transplant. He was strong and brave through all the health problems. He had a positive attitude that everyone who knew him admired. Since retirement from teaching, Tom served on Compass, the SAILS school board, and he was on the board of the 5th Cavalry Association, as well as an ambassador for Teach Vietnam. Tom was an avid Detroit sports fan. He also loved everything Irish. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who always put family first. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Barbara; sons, Brian, Mike (Bonnie) and Terry; and the joy of his heart, his granddaughters, Sydney, Megan and Rachel.
John A Spain
John A. Spain / Platoon Unknown
John Spain passed away on December 26, 2015. He was living in Roswell, New Mexico, where he and his wife Zerlene (Zee) operated Roswell K-9 Ranch, a kennel service with capacity for 50-plus dogs and cats.
Joseph J Terhar
Joseph J. Terhar / 6th Platoon
Joseph Terhar was born in Ketchikan, Alaska on January 11, 1945, as the third of five children to Anna Jean and George Terhar. He passed away on December 17, 2018, surrounded by his family at home, after a four-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer.
Joe loved to tell stories of his childhood in Alaska, his adventures with his siblings, his basketball days, and his first job delivering milk for Darigold. He graduated from Ketchikan High in 1963 and then moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington where he graduated in 1967 with a degree in accounting. He was accepted into the MBA program at Stanford and attended one year before being drafted into the army. After OCS, he served in the Adjutant General Corps and was transferred to Ft. Sheridan, IL and later to Vietnam. After his return, he completed his MBA program and received his degree in 1972.
During his career in the upcoming Silicon Valley, he worked at Telesensory Systems, Micropower, and Melchor Venture Management before becoming a self-employed financial consultant. In 1993 he was asked to compile and create a database for the artwork of the Anderson Collection. This grew into a 25 year job, a great friendship with the family, and a newfound love of art.
Joe also had an interest in helping out the community, and in 1990 he ran for the school board in the Menlo Park City School District and served for eight years. He loved his family and he loved his work, but he lived for cycling. He and his friends pioneered the noon ride through Portola Valley which continues to this day. He was an early investor in Wheelsmith, in Palo Alto. For years, he rode in local races, state championships, and national championships. Even after retiring, he continued to ride and often prided himself on being the first up the hill.
At start of the new century, Joe and his wife, Anne, decided to take on a new project. With his bike clothes in hand, they drove across country and restored her aunt’s house on Cape Cod. They spent the next 20 years living bicoastal and enjoying East Coast summers and flatter bike rides. Joe had a giant heart and a great love for life and he kept a sense of humor and a smile throughout his battle with lung cancer. In lieu of flowers, his family suggests a donation to the Peninsula Open Space Trust or Mission Hospice. Joseph is survived by his wife, Anne, of 49 years, his children, Amy Terhar of San Francisco, and Rebecca Salinas (Mario) of Santa Rosa, and his grand-daughter, Layla, as well as his siblings, Robert Terhar of DePere, Wisconsin, Anne Clinton of Beaverton, Oregon, and Jane Gallagher of Bellevue, Washington.
Anthony J Travaline 2nd platoon TAC
Anthony J. Travaline / 50th Company OCS TAC, 2ndPlatoon
Anthony "Travis" Travaline, age 72, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, died Monday, June 26, 2017 at home. He graduated from the Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware, a Catholic College Preparatory School, and St. Bernard's College. He was a US Army Veteran who served as a Tactical Officer (TAC) for 50th Company OCS and in the Vietnam War.
If you heard laughter, Travis was somewhere nearby; if not in the middle of it. He could initiate a conversation with a total stranger then find he made a lifetime friend. A very gentle man of 5'4" with the magnetic personality of someone twice his size. Travis will be remembered as being energetic, high spirited, delightfully cheerful and forever playful.
He is survived by Walter Toledo, his partner of 28 years.
Donald J Warkentin
Donald (Don) J. Warkentin / 6th Platoon
Former President Don Warkentin of West Hills College (Lemoore, California) died February 1, 2016, just one month after retiring from the college that he helped build from a collection of trailers to a full-blown campus. He was 69. He was only the second president of West Hills College, a job he took in 2004. His death was unexpected and took friends and former colleagues by surprise.
Don, who grew up in Reedley and graduated from Reedley High, went to college at Reedley College and California State University, Chico. He served in Vietnam as an Army LT in the 25thInfantry Division and was awarded two Purple Hearts. Don’s 42-year career in education began in 1973 when he was a biology teacher for Lemoore High School; he also served as a football coach, baseball coach, athletic director and principal of the continuation school.
In 1986, he joined West Hills College as an associate dean at the Lemoore Center, which was then a satellite of the college in Coalinga. The college has grown from 700 students to over 4,500 today. “That college is part of him,” said West Hills College Community District trustee Jeff Levinson. “He put those students first.” He was active in Lemoore civic life, was named Citizen of the Year in 2014.
Kenneth R Warner
Kenneth R. Warner / 4th Platoon
Kenneth R. Warner, 68, passed away peacefully in Drums, Pennsylvania on May 10, 2011, surrounded by his loving wife, children and grandchildren. He was a 1960 graduate of Freeland High School and attended Penn State University in 1963. After his military service, he was employed for many years by the National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, MD. Following retirement in 2008, Ken and his wife returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania and built their new home in Drums.
He was active in Freemasonry and was also a member of Montgomery Forest, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and played the bugle and trumpet in the Drum and Bugle Corps. Kenneth was an active member of Emmanuel Methodist Church in Beltsville, MD and later a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Drums. He was also active in the community of Beltsville, MD, in many capacities.
Kenneth had a spousal kidney transplant in 1989 and became an advocate for transplantation and organ donation. Surviving are his wife of 44 years, the former Roseanne Timony "Timmie" Warner and three children.
C. Vernon Hartline
C. Vernon Hartline, Jr. / 4th Platoon
C. Vernon Hartline, Jr., a long time-time Dallas lawyer, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 13, 2020 at the age of 75. Vernon was born November 5, 1944 in Dallas, Texas to Clyde Vernon Hartline and Betty Angel Hartline. After graduating from Plano Senior High School in 1963, he attended Baylor University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1968. Vernon married Lynne Thompson on September 3, 1966. During his first year of law school at Baylor Law, Vernon was drafted and served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in Vietnam. After being injured in combat in early 1971, he was medevacked to the Air Force Military Hospital in Okinawa, Japan, where he recuperated for several months. He was discharged and came back to Texas in April of 1971.
Just days after arriving home, he returned to Baylor Law to finish his law degree. During law school he was a member of the Order of the Barristers. After Vernon was graduated from Baylor Law in 1973, he joined Gardere, Porter & DeHay, where he began his career as a trial lawyer. After a merger in 1979, Vernon and several of his colleagues formed DeHay & Blanchard. Vernon continued his career as a trial lawyer with Strasburger & Price beginning in 1984.
In 1994, he and several colleagues in the firm's product liability group decided to form their own firm, Hartline, Dacus, Dreyer, & Kern, L.L.P., to provide services to their clients more efficiently and effectively. At the prior firm they had been told, "Big ships turn slowly," so Vernon and his colleagues vowed be nimble, able to adjust their sails to meet their clients' needs while providing the highest quality legal services. It was that commitment that carried Vernon through to his last day with his colleagues at Hartline Barger, LLP, on July 13, 2020. Vernon loved practicing law and being in the courtroom. His distinguished career as a product liability defense lawyer was highlighted by successes in the automotive and tire industry, which led to the firm's representation of several major automotive and tire manufacturers on a regional and national basis. He also selflessly trained young lawyers, many of which started their careers at Hartline Barger LLP and have become his partners. He genuinely cared about the firm and its people, and he took time each day to reach out to his partners, colleagues, and staff.
Vernon and Lynne were members of Park Cities Baptist Church, where they spent 27 years working on Sunday mornings in the church nursery. They loved to travel and explore the world; from the Red Sea to the Caribbean, Vernon and Lynne traveled the world pursuing their passion for scuba diving, and he captured his underwater explorations with high-definition video cameras. Their globetrotting hobby - along with frequent business trips - made him an expert packer. "I can live out of a roller bag for a week because my wife and daughter needed my luggage allowance," he said. Vernon also loved cooking and taking care of his family and friends.
Vernon served as President of the Baylor Law Alumni Association from 1993-1994, and was frequently designated a "Best Lawyer," "Lawyer of the Year," and "Texas Super Lawyer" during his career. He also received the Bridgestone Firestone General Counsel Award. Among Vernon's many honors and awards are the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Vietnam Campaign Medal; and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Betty Hartline and his brother Douglas Hartline. He is survived by his beloved wife, Lynne, of 53 years, who was the love of his life; son Clyde Vernon Hartline, III of Portland, Oregon; daughter Nikki Lynne Braun and husband John of Midland, Texas; precious grandchildren Daphne, Conrad, Carlyle and Sebastian Hartline. A private celebration of Vernon's life was held Tuesday at Restland Funeral Home.
David N. Hipp
David N. Hipp / 2nd Platoon
Colonel David N. Hipp, (USANG Retired) 76, of Cabot, passed away Monday, May 24, 2021. He was born March 1, 1945 in Nashville, Arkansas to the late Charles David and Aloyise Hussey Hipp. David served in both the United States Army and the Air National Guard and retired after 33 years. David graduated from Magnolia High School Class of 1963 where he was an active member of band and several clubs and organizations. He graduated from Southern State College (SAU), Magnolia. During high school and college David worked at local grocery stores and in the oil fields of Southern Arkansas. David met the love of his life while attending Southern State. They were married July 14, 1967 in the First Baptist Church of Magnolia. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for four years. After his honorable discharge, he and Judith returned to Magnolia, where he took a job at the Area Agency on Aging while working part time for the 189th Air National Guard until a full time position became available. At the time of his retirement in 2000, he was the 189th Support Group Commander. After his retirement, David continued his public service working as the Assistant to Mayor Joe Allmon. He also managed the Housing Authority Apartments. He served 10 years on the Cabot School Board and was a board member for the Cabot Housing Authority. He was a member of the Cabot United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, David was preceded in death by a sister, Kay Hall and brother-in-law, Major Benjamin P. Owen.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judith Owen Hipp of Cabot; son, David L. “Dee” Hipp of Vancouver, BC, Canada; godson, Jamey Campbell and his wife, Dr. Jen Girten and their sons, Mason and Miller of Gallatin, Tennessee; bonus goddaughter, Becca Watkins and her husband, Quentin of Raleigh, North Carolina; brothers-in-law, Bobby Hall of Magnolia and Jerry Owen of Gassville; sister-in-law, Betty Rowe of Kingman, Arizona; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
A celebration of David’s life will be at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. The family suggests donations in memory of David Hipp to Feed the Veterans, 1212 S. 2nd St., P.O. Box 586 Cabot, AR 72023 or The Veterans Village Helping Hand Program Food Pantry, 8325 Mac Arthur Drive, North Little Rock, AR 72118-2131. Arrangements by Moore's Cabot Funeral Home, 501-843-5816.
Doug Cannon
Douglas “Doug” Cannon, 6th platoon
May 21, 1943 – November 11, 2021
In loving memory of Doug Cannon, we honor our treasured husband, father, grandpa, brother, and friend who passed away on one of his favorite days of the year, Veterans Day - November 11, 2021. Doug lived life to its fullest and always smiled, served others, and believed that every day was a gift to enjoy. Doug was born to (Trace) Taylor and Marjorie Coulam Cannon on May 21, 1943 in Ogden, UT and is the oldest of six children in his family. As he grew up, he loved all sports and was an incredible athlete who enjoyed basketball, baseball, and football.
Doug was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served a mission to Finland. He served faithfully as a Young Men’s President, Elders Quorum President, ward clerk, stake clerk, Sunday school teacher (many times), and various other church callings. The faith and testimony of Doug has been a pillar of strength, a cornerstone for his character, and a guiding light for his family.
Doug found the love of his life, Sally Summerill, while home on leave from Fort Ord, California. He was on leave from his basic army training during December, 1968. Their courtship was quite unique; Doug and Sally were mostly away from each other, communicating only through letters. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 14th, 1969. They were married for 51 years 362 days...just three days short of 52 years.
Doug was a 1st Lieutenant War Hero and Infantry Officer in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He earned and received the Bronze Star of Valor and Purple Heart. He also earned the Combat Infantry Badge and the U.S. Army Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Expert (rifle). Doug loved his country. Even after his departure from the military, he continued to honor and respect the cherished freedoms he fought for. With the service he gave and a life nearly lost, he will truly be seen as an American Hero in this beautiful country.
Doug graduated from Ogden High School in 1961. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Weber State University in 1968. After his discharge from the U.S. Army in 1971, Doug earned his Masters of English degree from the University of Utah. He later earned his Ed.S. Degree (Educational Specialist) from the University of Utah.
Doug was a teacher and an administrator for 34 years in Davis School District. He taught English at North Layton Junior High School and Clearfield High School. He was a favorite among the students and faculty. Later in his career, he was an administrator at North Layton Junior High School, Sunset Junior High School, and West Point Junior High School. He loved to interact and guide students who had crossed the line and were sent to his office to be disciplined. For whatever reason, most of them came out with their punishment still to take place and appreciating the respect he gave them even when they messed up.
Doug was also a member of the DEA (Davis Education Association). He was an elected member of the board. He later was elected and served as DEA President. When he started his administrative role in the Davis School District, he still maintained his membership in the DEA.
One of Doug’s favorite hobbies was coaching soccer for Shok ‘79. He taught his players the importance of working together, learning trust, and recognizing the talents of each soccer player, on and off the field. One of Doug’s greatest joys in life was spending time with his family. If there was a soccer, basketball, baseball, or any event his children or grandchildren were participating in, he was there, cheering them on. He truly was the greatest fan in the stands, and we will all miss the words of encouragement, applause, and hugs after the games no matter the outcome. He was proud of each and every one of us.
Doug always loved playing golf; but after retiring, golf became quite the interest. Both Doug and Sally golfed as often as possible. As well as golfing locally, they loved to golf in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on some world renowned courses. Set aside golf, Doug and Sally loved to travel all over the world on wonderful adventures and captured memories to last a lifetime. Most people only have dreams of doing big trips. They walked along the Great Wall of China, rode elephants in India, rode camels in Egypt, and recently walked along the very steps Christ walked on in Jerusalem. These are but a few of the moments, but tell the tale...THEY LOVED TO TRAVEL!
We know Doug, our biggest fan, has been welcomed into his Savior’s loving arms with love, gratitude, and praise for leading by example, and teaching us all to have continued hope in all we do. We love you forever, Doug, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Friend!
Doug is preceded in death by his parents Trace Taylor and Marjorie Coulam Cannon; his parents’-in-law Lear Alfred and Dorothy Van Dyke Summerill; and his daughter-in-law, Amy Michelle Cannon. He is survived by his wife, Sally Summerill Cannon (Kaysville); his sons, Jay (Sheila) Cannon (Orem), Tye (Carrie) Cannon (McKinney, TX), Quinn (Jill) Cannon (Ogden), Drew (Tara) Cannon (Layton), and his daughter Elysia (Dave) Butler (Kaysville). Doug has 24 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Mark, Paul (Diana), John (Da’nell), Scott (Emily), Kathryn (Bruce) and many other loved ones.
Bill Hagedorn
William “Bill” Hagedorn / 2nd Platoon
On November 10th, 2021, we received the following message from Daniel Hagedorn commenting on the life and passing of his father, Bill Hagedorn.
“Gentlemen,
My father, William H Hagedorn (Second Platoon) passed away last Wednesday (November 3, 2021) in his home, officially with complications of COPD. He had a collapsed lung and spent the last three weeks of his life under the constant care of myself and my sister, Elaine.
Typically, in his entry in your 50th Company OCS book he mentions he had "some problems with PTSD." Of course, it was much more than that. His service in Vietnam never left him. I suppose is not unexpected, since Vietnam was the single most transformative experience of his life. (For example, all of his logon passwords are references to Vietnam: Long Phu, Dung Island, MACV, Mekong, etc.) During his tour, he was Army Intel, specifically part of the Phoenix Program. Whatever happened during those months scarred him for life to a degree that he could never forgive himself. Over the years, he's told me some things. The last few weeks I spent with him, he often woke up in the night with flashlight in hand, searching the rooms. Sometimes he talked about hearing helicopters and voices.
After Vietnam, he was a lifelong learner, earning a Master's Degree, attaining the Certified Financial Planner designation, as well as a computer programming degree. However the pressures and structure of civilian life often proved difficult, and attempts at normalcy were undercut as he struggled with his PTSD.
My father was always proud of his service and the men who served with him and always considered OCS one of his great achievements. The most important day of the year to my Dad was always Veterans Day. And because of that, it is an important day to me as well. We are certainly proud of him. And we are thankful to all who served. It’s nice to know the 50th Company is active and has created such a community.
Note: We will have a memorial service at Tahoma National Cemetery. No date has been set as our funeral director is working with the VA to get that set up. I'll let you know when we have something in place. His brother, Richard, a Marine (1st Marine Division, Vietnam), lives in Florida. We want to make sure he can attend.
Thanks. And a Happy Veterans Day to all. Daniel”
James W. Ellis
James W. Ellis 5th Platoon
On February 10, 2003, James W. Ellis (June 7, 1944 - February 10, 2003) was found dead in his backyard in rural Fountain county, Indiana. The Indiana Highway Patrol determined that murder was the cause of death. The victim was a 58 year-old who lived alone in rural indiana. He had last been seen on December 26, 2002. James W. Ellis's body was discovered by relatives who had not heard from him in over a month. Location of Crime: 1450 west, CR 800 south, Covington, Indiana
