Vietnam War Heroes 1955-1975
AMERICA 250 VETERAN OF THE DAY Colonel Benjamin Byrd Newsom United States Air Force — Vietnam War Honored July 23, 2026 Shot Down. Captured. Never Forgotten. Sixty years ago today, on July 23, 1966, an F-105F Thunderchief with the call sign Drill Lead departed Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base on an armed reconnaissance mission … Read more
Veteran of the Day July 21, 2026 Major Rainford Tiffin United States Air Force 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron March 4, 1938 – July 21, 1966 “He Flew Into the Storm… And Never Came Home.” A Dream That Took Flight Some men dream of flying. Rainford “Ray” Tiffin made that dream his life’s purpose. Born on … Read more
Veteran of the Day July 20, 2026 Specialist Four David Andrew Dillon United States Army 68th Assault Helicopter Company “Never Recovered… Never Forgotten” May 28, 1942 – July 20, 1966 The Mission Every helicopter crew in Vietnam shared the same understanding. The next landing zone might be quiet. Or it might erupt in gunfire. On … Read more
Veteran of the Day July 17, 2026 A Family’s Extraordinary Sacrifice Technical Sergeant Richard Bernard Fitzgibbon Jr. United States Air Force and Lance Corporal Richard Bernard Fitzgibbon III United States Marine Corps The Only Family That Lost Both Father and Son During the Vietnam War’s Earliest Years A Legacy of Service There are military families … Read more
Veteran of the Day July 15, 2026 Sergeant William Leander Deal United States Army Crew Chief • UH-1 Huey Vietnam War November 15, 1927 – January 2, 1963 One of America’s First Heroes of Vietnam History often remembers the largest battles, but every war begins with individuals whose courage sets the example for those who … Read more
Veteran of the Day July 14, 2026 Colonel Robert Lewis Howard United States Army Special Forces Medal of Honor Recipient July 11, 1939 – December 23, 2009 The Green Beret Who Never Left a Man Behind Few Americans have ever served under conditions as dangerous as those faced by the soldiers of the Military Assistance … Read more
AMERICA 250 SPECIAL MEMORIAL TRIBUTE ONE CREW. ONE MISSION. FOREVER REMEMBERED. Honoring the Six Airmen of the KC-135 Stratotanker Operation Epic Fury March 12, 2026 They Took Off Together Throughout the history of the United States Air Force, thousands of aircrews have launched into the unknown, united by a common purpose and an unwavering commitment … Read more
America 250 Veteran of the Day July 10, 2026 Technical Sergeant Tyler H. Simmons United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker CrewOperation Epic Fury The Final Watch For every aircraft that takes flight, countless professionals work together as one team. Every successful mission depends upon trust, preparation, and the unwavering commitment of Airmen who understand that … Read more
America 250 Veteran of the Day July 9, 2026 Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker CrewOperation Epic Fury Born – October 15, 1991Died – March 12, 2026 Quiet Professionals. Extraordinary Impact. Every successful military mission depends upon men and women whose names may never appear in history books, but whose … Read more
America 250 Veteran of the Day June 12, 2026 SPOTLIGHT: Major Stephen W. Pless United States Marine Corps September 6, 1939 – July 20, 1969 Why Major Pless? Because his story is one of the most dramatic helicopter rescue missions in Marine Corps history. On August 19, 1967, Major Pless was flying a UH-34 Seahorse … Read more