Family of Vietnam soldier sought

FORT BENNING, GA -- U.S. Army Private First Class Ernest H. Young III, of Downey, died in Vietnam on March 14, 1968 while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173d Airborne Brigade.And while his death is now more than four decades past, his legacy will be remembered at the new 173d Airborne Brigade National Memorial now under construction at Fort Benning, Ga. The names of the 1,643 "sky soldiers" who died while serving with the brigade and the names of the 69 sky soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan will appear on the memorial. More than 150 sky soldiers from California died in Vietnam, many from Southern California. A groundbreaking ceremony was held last July 11. The country music duo of Big & Rich were on hand to perform their song "8th of November," a tribute to the 48 sky soldiers who died in the Battle for Hill 65 on Nov. 8, 1965. Members of the 173d Airborne Brigade National Memorial Foundation are trying to locate the family members of PFC Ernest H. Young to inform them of the memorial and invite them to the dedication ceremony scheduled to take place later this year or early 2010. Family and friends of Young are encouraged to contact memorial board member Raymond Ramirez at (562) 693-3102 or via e-mail at ramirez173@hotmail.com. ********** Published: February 27, 2009 - Volume 7 - Issue 45