Richard Camacho

Merced:

I received my copy of the Viking new last night and read the article about your project. I'm not sure if your familiar with DODs listing of KIA, but the home record listed for each is not always their home town. It may be the last place of residence or the city where they entered the military. Of those names listed in the Viking News, I knew Fred Warmbrodt, he was a class ahead of me, I was in the class of 64.

At the time I entered the military (drafted by the army and then put into the Marine Corps), I was living in Venice, Ca. and Dr. Drake was the principal of Samohi. When I was in Vietnam, Dr. Drake sent me a California flag that was donated by the student body. I flew it when ever I could in Vietnam. This last May, I donated my flag to Mrs. Alexander, a teacher at Moorpark High School, where I've been a guest speaker for the last 21 years, speaking on my experiences in Vietnam.

Thank you for caring about those that paid the ultimate price for our country.

Respectfully,

Richard Camacho Class of 1964

Letter from Steve Brackett - Stephen E. Coalson

(Samohi Graduate, Class of ’62)

Killed in Vietnam, early 1968, within a week of being in Country. He was assigned to a unit that was clearing jungle terrain for bases, although his MOS (military designation for assignment) was as a rifleman. He was struck and killed by a falling tree that had been blown-up in preparation of a new base.

Steve went through basic military training at Fort Bliss, Texas with Robert H. Brackett (’62), beginning in July 1967. They graduated after some 13 weeks of training. Steve went to rifleman training and Bob went to Communications Operator school. That was the last they saw of each other, despite having been raised on Hill Street in Santa Monica, with Steve living at 16th and Hill Street and Bob west of 14th Street on Hill Street. Steve Coalson, Bob Brackett, and his brother Steven Brackett were newspaper carriers for the Santa Monica Evening Outlook in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, and folded their papers at Steve Coalson’s house that was at the time the designated Outlook “corner” for the area.

Steve Coalson, his mother, father and half-brother, Dennis Allen, lived on the s/w corner of 16th and Hill Street, and Steve attended Pilgrim Lutheran Church (18th Street & Wilshire) in Santa Monica. Some of his neighbors also attended the church. Dorlene Argast lived on the s/e corner of 16th & Oak Street, and Russ Parkinson lived across the street on the n/e corner. Gordon Wohlers (’62), who lived about a mile from Steve, also attended the same church and was a close friend of Steves’. It was at church that Steve Coalson met the five “Luck sisters”, and in early 1967 married Marlene Luck (Coalson).

Following Steve’s death, his parents moved to Mammoth Lakes, CA where for many years Mrs. Coalson worked at the BofA, while Mr. Coalson worked for the US Postal Service. In their later years, seeking a warmer climate, they reportedly moved to perhaps California City, California. Steve’s half brother, Dennis Allen, perhaps 5-8 years older than Steve subsequently wanted to move to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Marlene subsequently moved to somewhere in Kansas.

Steve Coalson was very outgoing, a real “live guy” who was quick to laugh, tease and live life to its fullest. He had many friends, was smart and fun loving. His loss will be remembered forever by his many friends.

Steve Brackett (’64) (10/08)

Letter from Jeanne Simmes - George Page

JEANNE WADE SIMMES '67 writes:

I read your article in the Viking News about the Vietnam Project and felt compelled to share my story about GEORGE PAGE '66, who gave his life in Vietnam in 1969. George was a goofy, fun-loving, wonderful friend. He wasn't the best student in the world - just average. He wasn't a great athlete - just average. He wasn't the big man on campus - just your average joe. But, he was the most loyal friend in the whole world. He was the one you would tell all your secrets to and know they were safe. I know because I always told him mine.

George lived across the street from me on 26th Street between Ocean Park Boulevard and Pearl Street in Santa Monica. His family moved there during his high school years and I believe he previously attended Venice High School. Either I was at his house playing ping pong or he was at my house for dinner. I drove him all over town because he didn't have a driver's license. He decided to go into the service after graduation so he could get a driver's license and hopefully operate heavy machinery. Cars meant the world to him.

Unfortunately, he never got to own his own car because he was shot down in Vietnam. Someone wrote in the Viking News that he was killed on a river patrol but that was not my understanding. I was led to believe that he was in a helicopter that picked up injured soldiers after battles and his helicopter was shot down. Regardless, he received extensive burns and has to have his legs amputated. George was sent to Oakland Memorial Hospital to recover. As would have it, I was in college at UC Berkeley at the time. I remember riding the buses from Berkeley to Oakland and walking through the halls of the hospital to go visit George. The number of wounded soldiers at the hospital and the blank starees on their faces is something I will never forget. Such sacrifices our country asked of these young men.

Although George's injuries were devastating, and ultimately fatal, his face as without a scratch and his mind was clear. We talked for hours and all the time I noticed there was a set of car keys above his bed that represented the car he soon hoped to drove with mechanical hand shifts. Not long after that he passed away.

The funeral was held in Santa Monica and George was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery on 14th Street.

Hope this adds to the project.

JEANNE WADE Simmes '67

Letter from John H. Warner - Charles W. F. Warner

Dear Merced,

I read about your Vietnam Project activities and am very pleased that you are compiling information about Vikings who gave their lives in Vietnam. You have the correct birth and death information on my brother, Charles W. F. Warner '62. There is a memorial plaque for him on the south wall of the Memorial (Greek) Theater and a brief description in the memorial book of his short time in Vietnam and his efforts on May 26, 1967 during Operation Union II as the 2nd Platoon Commander, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, First Marine Division that resulted in the award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V".

While at Samohi, he lettered in varsity football and swimming and was a member of Delians. He was voted the most valuable lineman and "iron man" as a senior, played both offense and defense and was a member of the All-Bay Area Offensive First Team. After graduation from Samohi, he became a midshipman at the US Naval Academy at Annapolis on June 27, 1962, and upon graduation from the Naval Academy, he became a 2nd Lt in the Marines on June 8, 1966. He subsequently married Linda Voorhees '58 during September of that year. He arrived in Vietnam March 25, 1967 and five days later was in combat. His combat duty was continuous from that time on except for a "rest" during April while he was on a hospital ship recuperating from a leg wound for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. He was killed during combat in the vicinity of Quang Nam, Vietnam on July 7, 1967.

Thanks again for your efforts,

John H. Warner, Jr. '58

Compilation about George Page via Cathy Page Bergstrom

Cathy Page Bergstrom (Class of 1969) and her brother Robert F. Page (retired Air Force)- would like to thank everyone that has remembered our brother GEORGE PAGE (class of 1966) with all their kind words that have been written in the pages of the Samohi Viking Vietnam Project.

Our Brother George joined the Navy five months after Graduation (Nov 1966) and was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska for the first ten months. While there George found his love for the Military helicopters. George wrote home saying that he fell in love with the “birds” and wanted to work with them during his time in the service…he wanted to fly…..

In May 1968, George volunteered for special service in Vietnam with the Seawolves, attached to the helicopter Attack Squadron Three. He became a gunner and the Crew Chief for the Detachment Three of the Hal-3 Team. Not only did his unit worked with the Navy Seals and Army Special Forces, they would also fly protection for the Red Cross Helicopters as they rescued the injured military personnel. In January of 1969, George wrote home telling us that he extended his tour for another six months he explained to us that “there is a job to be done here, and I honestly feel they need people like me to help”

On April 28, 1969, George was on a search and destroy mission near Mcu Hoa, when his helicopter crashed after being hit by enemy gun fire.

On May 12, George was transferred to the Oakland Naval Hospital because of injuries and burns he sustained in the crash. His family & friends were able to visit George before he passed away on June 12, 1969 (at age 20.)

George (Junior as we called him) was the best brother a sister could have. He was so cool and he would always let me hang around with him and his friends whether they were hanging out on the front lawn-- working on their cars, or was surfing in Huntington Beach, or playing miniature golf up on Wilshire Blvd, or taking me with him to the Movie Theaters either the Majestic or Criterion. George lettered on the track team and earned 14 medals while serving his country.

George Page

Here's a picture of George Page via Cathy Page Bergstrom.

Letter from Martha La Mont - Steve Coalson