Letters to the Editor
Florida State Times readers for the most part were pleased with the package
of stories in the August issue about 10 Army ROTC graduates who died in
the Vietnam War. But many readers wrote to complain that we said nothing
about the Florida State graduates in other branches of the military service
who also lost their lives in that war.
The Florida State Times regrets that those equally brave alumni were not
included in the story, which was about a memorial erected by the Army ROTC.
We are sorry that we did not make it clear that we had information only
about the officers who had been researched by the Army ROTC for inclusion
in the "Thomas P. Mitchell Wall of Honor," in Harpe Johnson Hall.
Several letter-writers asked if there would be a similar memorial to graduates
of FSU's Air Force ROTC program. Col. Michael P. Smith said he welcomes
information on any FSU Air Force ROTC graduate who died in combat in Vietnam,
and he will explore the possibility of building on what the Army ROTC did.
He can be reached by calling: (904) 644-3461; by e-mail: mpsmith@mailer.fsu.edu;
or by fax: (904) 644-7667.
The Florida State Times also welcomes letters, calls or e-mail about Florida
State alumni in the Vietnam War, or any other subject. Call the editor or
assistant editor at 904-644-4032; write to Florida State Times, Room 112
Westcott, FSU, Tallahassee, Fla. 32306 or e-mail to FSTimes@westcott.wes.fsu.edu
Friend remembers
I really enjoy reading Florida State Times, but I was disappointed that
you missed a friend of mine who died in Vietnam in the article "Wall
Recalls 10 Who Died in Vietnam" by Browning Brooks.
Don Ungar was a minister's son from West Palm Beach and also a fraternity
brother of mine- a Phi Kappa Tau.
Don was in Air Force ROTC and was commissioned in 1967 or 1968. He was an
Air Force 1st Lt. or Capt. when his plane was shot down by a surface-to-air
missile while on a mission in 1968 or 1969.
I just couldn't let Don's not being mentioned pass without notifying you
of his omission. He was a good gentle man and deserves recognition also.
Hub Spooner, Jr.
Widow writes
I recently received a copy of the August Florida State Times. My eyes were
immediately drawn to the article by Browning Brooks entitled "Wall
recalls 10 who died in Vietnam." After reading the article, I cannot
begin to tell you the feelings that rushed through my mind - anger, resentment,
embarrassment, and humiliation. I am sure the cadets who undertook this
project meant well and did a marvelous job. However, to make a production
out of something so important, solicit from alumni, business people in
Tallahassee
and families and not to include in this tribute all military personnel who
graduated from Florida State University is very disheartening. I have been
told by another FSU alumna this wall was only for US Army personnel. Nowhere
in the article can I find any indication of this fact. I do hope this will
be clarified in the next issue of the Florida State Times.
After reading this far in my letter, I am sure you are aware I am personally
concerned with this matter. My late husband, Captain Don Robert Lewis, was
the first graduate from FSU to be killed as the result of hostile action
in Viet-nam (February 9, 1965). While attending FSU he was a member of the
swimming team and Sigma Chi fraternity. He worked hard to get through college,
arriving on campus as a freshman with one suitcase, $50 and a swimming
scholarship.
I believe he deserves better from this university.
Don graduated from FSU in January of 1959 and had been in the Air Force
for almost six years, flying the F86 and the F101. He went to Vietnam, after
studying the Vietnamese language, to be an "advisor." He served
as a Forward Air Controller and was stationed with one other American as
an advisor to South Vietnamese troops. He was hit by ground fire while on
a mission, but managed to return his plane to his home field, saving the
life of a young Vietnamese soldier riding in the back seat. He was then
flown to a military hospital where he died some 18 hours after being shot.
After serving only four months in Vietnam, he was awarded the Silver Star,
the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, and two medals
from the Vietnamese government.
Please seriously consider remembering all FSU alumni who made the supreme
sacrifice for their country. This war has still not been acknowledged by
some Americans, but for "our" university to remember and praise
a few of the alumni, not all, is not acceptable to the friends and families
who have endured so much.
Mary P. Martin
One was in Army ROTC
In the August '96 Issue of the Florida State Times, you had a feature on
FSU alumni who were killed in Vietnam.
I wanted to make you aware of one person that I know the researchers missed.
I attended FSU from '66-'70. In my junior year I joined the Army ROTC. At
the same time I joined, so did another junior student, George K. Barsom
III. George's friends all called him Skip. Skip came from a military family
and was going to make the military a career.
In our senior year, in '69-'70, Skip was the highest ranking Army ROTC student
cadet officer and was the student cadet commander for all Army ROTC units
at FSU.
Both Skip and I went on active duty in the fall of '70, and in the spring
of '71 we were both sent to South Vietnam.
I served in EVAC Hospitals, primarily at a post called Long Bihn.
Skip, however, signed on for a combat arms unit and served in the armored
air cavalry.
In April of 1972, 1st Lt. George K. Barsom III, serving with the 1st Cavalry
Division, was killed in action, with men he was commanding, when their
helicopter
was shot down somewhere over an area known as the Central Highlands in the
Republic of South Vietnam.
I was very recently in Washington, D. C., and visited the Vietnam Memorial.
Skip Barsom's name is among those on the wall.
I am sure you will hear of others like Skip from people who knew them. Please
pass on the word to those who undertook the project that they should include
him. He was a natural leader and a great guy.
Daniel L. Bowman
More about Lewis
...Since I am a life-long friend of the widow of one FSU casualty of this
war, I was especially interested in the account of this tribute to our fallen
heroes of that era.
Imagine my surprise to find Capt. Don R. Lewis, USAF, was overlooked. I
reread the story for clarification then called Army ROTC Maj. Greg Moore.
My call was referred to Col. Brooks. He understood my concern that one of
our graduates had been left out but told me that this memorial wall is strictly
for Army casualties. As this is not obvious in the article, I am concerned
that other friends and families of FSU Vietnam casualties may find it difficult
to understand why their loved ones have not been similarly honored. Col.
Brooks told me it is his belief other branches of the military will be doing
some type of memorial at some later time. As this is a tremendous task,
not to mention extremely costly, I cannot imagine such a memorial being
built that did not include them all at the same time.
The wall honoring Vietnam casualties in Washington, D.C., and the smaller,
traveling version of it that moves around the country do not attempt to
separate the names listed on it by service. I do not think the similar memorial
across the street from our capitol in Tallahassee is divided by service
group.
There is a remarkable coincidence in the tragic loss of both the first FSU
casualty in the Vietnam War and the first casualty in the Desert Storm
operation.
You may be more familiar with the story of Scott Speicher, an outstanding
member of the swim team at FSU, married to his FSU sweetheart, father of
two little children, who was the first casualty in Desert Storm. He and
his family were honored by FSU, his children received scholarships to our
university, and the splendid new tennis facility was named the Scott Speicher
Tennis Center. Capt. Don R. Lewis graduated from FSU in January 1959. He,
too, was a member of the swim team and he, too, married an FSU graduate,
Mary Powell. He was one of the first American casualties, and certainly
the first FSU casualty, of the Vietnam war. The story of his heroism in
battle and of his courageous efforts to bring back his plane in spite of
fatal injuries made the news all across the country. He also left behind
two little boys. For a few years the Sigma Chi fraternity of which Don was
a member gave a special swimming award in his memory. As far as I am aware,
that was the extent of a tribute to him on the part of FSU.
There may be many more stories like this out there. Possibly you have heard
from others who are family or friends of other military heroes overlooked
so far. I hope this information may start some sort of effort to make up
for lost time.
Best Seminole wishes to you and all your staff and congratulations on a
truly handsome and interesting publication.
Christine Ginocchio Hendrix
Asks about circus vets
I just received my copy of the Florida State Times. What a publication!
As a freelance writer who is both an FSU and Flying High circus alum, my
interest was piqued by the reference in Browning Brooks' story to Wall of
Honor inductees who were members of the circus. Since I am assembling a
history of the circus, I would appreciate it if you could tell me which
of these heroes were in the circus and more about them.
I'm much obliged for the inform-ation and a publication that keeps me in
touch with my FSU roots.
Neal Yonover
Grad likes vets story
I commend the Florida State Times for... the poignant articles "Wall
recalls 10 who died in Vietnam" and "War & Remembrance: FSU's
fallen heroes" in its August 1996 edition.
As a Tallahassee native, I personally knew Captain Michael Odum and have
been painfully aware of his death in Vietnam. Mike and I debated several
times the role of Air Power, once sitting together in a barber shop.
I am refreshed that the University and your publication have honored these
citizen-soldier graduates, who "gave the last full measure of
devotion"
for a cause that remains unpopular.
Edward C. Ekermeyer
Another who died
I was truly touched by your recent article on the FSU students who died
during the Vietnam war. One of them, Johnnie Stephens, was in my fraternity
and the pictures of the others reminded me of what times were like for all
of us. The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the name
of another FSU student who died during the war. John Parnin was also a Theta
Chi. I am not sure if John graduated from FSU, but as I recall he transferred
from a junior college to FSU in either 1968 or 1969. He would have left
(or graduated) from FSU in 1971. The last I heard was that he became a
helicopter
pilot (not sure if his rank was C.W.O. or Lt.) and he died in a crash before
the end of his tour of duty. Am sorry that I don't have more details, but
it still brings me sadness to think of him after all these years. Is it
possible for you to investigate to see if John Parnin should also be included
in the memorial? Thanks
G. Kaugars
More Letters to the Editor
Checking the facts
On page 3 of the June/July issue of Florida State Times, you included a
Letter to the Editor from David S. Harkness, which blatantly stated, "Four
persons did die in the Kent State shooting, but they were not Kent State
students. They were protesters who came to the campus. They had no business
being on the campus."
Mr. Harkness's knowledge of that day is flawed. Bill Schroeder and I received
our Boy Scout Eagle Badges together several years before his death. I saw
Bill the Friday night before the shootings, and I assure you that he was
a student at Kent State, as were the other three who died that day.
I hope in the future you practice professional journalism by check-ing the
claims of contributors to your publications. You should not be a vehicle
for every crackpot who wants to disseminate their perverted version of the
truth.
Ken Washio
Editor's note: Mr. Washio is right. The four students, according to reports
in Life Magazine and Newsweek Magazine, as well as Mr. Washio's personal
knowledge, were indeed students at Kent State. The Florida State Times will
be more careful in the future about checking the facts before publication.
Which is older?
I have always felt that our friends from Gainesville think they are a little
better than everyone else. Part of this stems from their pride in being
"Florida's largest and oldest university" (taking a quote from
their student handbook). From everything that I have read, it appears that
FSU is actually the state's oldest university if actually holding CLASSES
and having an actual CAMPUS are used as criteria. I feel that it is VERY
misleading for UF to use the year 1853 as the founding date on their school
seal p; they certainly didn't have ANY signs of a tangible institution
at that point. I think it is time for FSU to stand up to its "older"
brother in Gainesville. Please provide me with any information you might
have in regards to this subject. If UF doesn't want to move its establishment
date back to a more accurate one, perhaps FSU should move its ahead to 1851
(when both schools were originally chartered).
Tom Neese
Making friends
I find the Florida State Times informative and excellent for those of us
in the "hinterlands" who want to keep up with F.S.U.
Reference the letter from Ross Brasford in the June/July issue. Ross was
an outstanding participant in the expedition and represented F.S.U. and
the U.S. as a beautiful American in another nation. He excelled in making
friends for himself and F.S.U.
H. Morgan Smith
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