The Peru Gazette

Compiled and read at the departure ceremony by Former NY State Assemblywoman Janet Duprey 

Allen Burnsworth  

U.S. Navy                            1965-1972                   Vietnam

Allen, not a boat or swimming guy,  joined the Navy – the only branch that guaranteed his MOS (Milirational Specialist) position.  After training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Allen, a Seabee, served a year on the destroyer USS Fiske which Allen called “a floating tin can”. 

Allen spent three years in Vietnam and his assignments remain classified.  Allen received a Bronze Star. two Purple Hearts and several commendations for his service.            

Clyde Carroll                            

U.S. Navy                           1969-1972                Vietnam       

Not liking school, Clyde took a lunch break and joined the Navy. Clyde trained in electronics, under-sea weapons and guided missiles. Clyde and 66 others spent 10 months aboard an old diesel boat.  Next Clyde was on-board the USS Trout submarine for 15 months. For his final 17 months Clyde boarded the destroyer USS Warrington DD-843. They engaged in heavy fire off Dong-Hoi, North Vietnam.  Two underwater explosions left a 12-foot strip out of the ship turning a one-day trip into 7-days to reach the Philippines.                                                                              

Shane Carroll                           Veteran Guardian for his Dad

U.S. Navy                       1997-2017             Iraq

After graduating from high school in Plattsburgh, Shane trained at Great Lakes Naval Station.  As a Seabee carpenter Shane’s naval travels over the years went from Mississippi to Maine.

Shane deployed to Iraq as an escort protecting local truck drivers delivering goods to every base in Iraq.  Shane also deployed to Afghanistan and finished his Navy career back in Mississippi. 

Shane came from Mississippi to escort his very proud Dad on Honor Flight. 

Roger Douglas

U.S. Navy                              1968-1972                            Vietnam           

A senior in high school, Roger joined the Navy 3 months before the Army draft notice.  After naval training, he spent 3-1/2  years aboard the USS Knox DE-1052.  Roger transported officers from shore to ship.  The USS Knox provided gunfire support for amphibious and troop assaults within their range. Roger recalls being chased by gunboats, requiring a quick exit from Guam. An engine fire disabled the ship which had to be towed back to Pearl Harbor.  Roger’s final 5-month deployment was in the West Pacific.  

Harold Engelhart

U.S.   Navy           1944- 1946          World War11        

    Two brothers and a sister were in the Army when Harold began his training at Sampson Naval Base, New York.   Harold was assigned to fuel oil barges USS YO-21, YO-57 and the USS Whitewood AN-63, a wooden-hulled ship.  Harold’s time centered around Boston and Portland. 

With 20,000 soldiers crowded in Grand Central Station, Harold ran for the tracks to catch a train.  A hand from his enlisted sister reached out and pulled him onto the train. 

For his service Harold received a World War 11 Victory Medal and an American Area Medal.

Kurt Engelhardt                                       Veteran Guardian for his Dad    

U.S. Army                                1997-2004                               Afghanistan

The day after high school graduation Kurt was at boot camp.  In Korea, he met Sgt. Blake who lived near Kurt’s family. The Sergeant put Kurt in a Deuce, gave him a license and a box of tools.

In Afghanistan, assigned to the French Special Forces Kurt received a National Defense Medal signed by the French Prime Minister. Under enemy fire Kurt was shot in the head.  His commanding officer chewed him out for ruining the helmet.

Go figure!     

George Hiller

  U.S. Army                   1960-1962                       Vietnam

George joined the Army completing basic training at Fort Dix.

George had to look up the MOS (Military Operational Specialist) to see what it was.  He learned his duty was to drive, but, as a city kid. he never learned how.

Transferred to Fort Hood, George joined the 124^th Maintenance Battalion, 2^nd Division where he earned a sharp-shooter commendation.

The nearby Texas town was dry; George met three Kentucky guys who built a still and life was good!

At the end of enlistment, troops were sent to Florida in anticipation of the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

Every pay George received $103 after sending an allotment home to his mother. 

Paul King 

U.S. Army 1965-1967 

U.S. Navy                  1967-4968                          Vietnam

At 17 Paul convinced his mother to sign enlistment paper to follow his three brothers.   

At a bar in North Dakota, he and a buddy decided to re-enlist from Army to Navy.  Paul spent a year in both branches. 

A gunner, Paul boarded a small 5-man boat with duties 12-hours on and 12-hours off.  The shoreline duty was intense with little cover for safety.  After his 12-hour shift, an ambush at Mekong River, South Vietnam, took the life of Paul’s replacement.  Some memories are never forgotten.  

Gary LaBombard

U.S. Marine Corps      1952- 1962     Vietnam          

Gary, 17, received his parents’ signature to enlist. Impressed with Marine Corps dress blues; arriving at Parris Island, he wondered about his decision.

At Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton, Gary completed combat and drill training.  Assigned to Okinawa with the 03 Infantry Unit, Gary drove commanding officers.

Sent to Indonesia it was so hot the ship’s metal deck had to be watered down to keep it cool.   Assigned to the 105^th Artillery Division, Gary distributed live ammunition accounting for each round.   

Gary headed home on a ship for 15-long sickening days; glad the rest of the trip was by aircraft.    

Brad LaBombard         Veteran Guardian for his Dad    

U.S. Marine Corps        1993-1997         Cold War      

Influenced by his father. Brad wanted the Marine Corps’ physical demands. At Parris Island boot camp, alligators came right to the barracks.

Assigned to Combat Engineers, Camp Lejeune, he trained in quick response and support skills for search and rescue missions.  Brad served in Okinawa, Camp Pendleton, 30^th Air Command on USS Belleau Wood.

Brad completed his service with the southern U.S. Border Patrol for drug enforcement. 

Joseph “Hector” LaBounte

U.S. Army                             1962-1965                     Vietnam                   

Army Reserves     1980-2000

Hector’s four brothers served in the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy.  Hector chose the Army serving three years in Germany with the Combat Engineers. 

On a lengthy training mission, a case of chicken noodle soup appeared. Attempting to warm the soup, cans exploded sending soup everywhere.  The Sargent didn’t cool off for a week.

Traveling to Germany, Hector was 14-days on a ship with 30-40 -foot waves; thankfully the return was calm.

For 20 years Hector was a medic with the Army Reserves.

 

 Francis “Porky” Lamb  

U.S. Army             1963-1966     Vietnam

After boot camp at Fort Dix, Francis, known as Porky, boarded a ship to Germany.  Rough water meant no one could go above deck for 13 days.  In Germany, Porky attempted a collect call home; his father refused the charges; Porky didn’t call home again.  Enter a worried mother, not a word from her son; contacted the Red Cross who contacted Porky’s Commanding Officer who told Porky to contact his mother. 

In Germany, Porky’s duty was driving the Battalion Commander.

Returning stateside, Porky finished his final 6 months at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn.

James McGuire

U.S. Navy                             1967-1971         Vietnam

Following the family tradition of serving in the Navy, Jim joined the Navy and served on super-carriers USS Kitty Hawk and USS Saratoga.

During an inspection, Jim’s commander noticed a pair of pants were not buttoned.  Jim spent 23 ½ hours sewing the buttons on for the next inspection taking place in 24 hours. 

Jim joined the Navy to see the world and he was not disappointed.  Jim took advantage of meeting local people and experiencing their culture and food.                                                                               

Juris Miemis

U.S. Army    1967-1969         Vietnam

Immigrating from Germany, Juris was living in Brooklyn when drafted into the Army.  In Vietnam on an HU-1C helicopter, Juris was wounded twice.  First the helicopter went down while engaged in support of ground troops.  Next the aircraft was forced into the trees under hostile fire as they retaliated against numerically superior enemy fire.

For flying more than 25 aerial missions, Juris received the Presidential Air Medal with 1^st Oak Leaf, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, Two Purple Hearts and other awards.

Raymond Mitchell

U.S. Army                            1958-1960                                 Cold War                             

Ray was heading to Oswego College when the Army drafted him. Ray was assigned to clerk school, but he never worked the MOS (Military Operational Specialist) positions.

Directed to special duty, Ray was assigned to map work laying out perimeter and position maps for battle orders. The maps were used to examine position and battle options fought on paper. 

Ray was eligible to ski in the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics. Approved by his commanding officer, a higher-ranking officer sent him to the Navy ending Ray’s Olympic opportunity.                                                                    

Paul Paro, Jr.   

U.S. Army                       1969-1970                    Vietnam

With no interest in school, Paul wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father and uncles serving his country.  Paul joined the Army and completed basic training at Fort Dix with a title of Food Service Specialist. 

Paul was assigned to Germany where he quickly established himself as an excellent cook who also delivered food to several companies. 

Completing this tour of duty, Paul was assigned as a demolition specialist.  Quite a duty change!   

Paul has fond memories of riding an Indian motorcycle throughout Europe and marrying his beloved wife. 

William O’Connor            Veteran Guardian for Paul Paro

U.S. Navy                         1972-1974                        Vietnam

Bill was determined to serve his country. Because he loved the water, Bill joined the Navy completing naval training in Orlando, Florida.

Bill served on the USS White Plains. Aboard ship, Bill was assigned to AFS-4 (Ammunition Food Supply) a Mars-class combat stores ship.  On board he also served as a machinist mate and fire fighter.

Bill spent a year in Japan.                            

Albert Swoboda

U.S. Air Force         1963-1967              Vietnam                    

With no defined career, Al noticed an Air Force recruiting station; It changed his life forever.

Completing basic and aircraft mechanic training in Texas, Al was assigned to Plattsburgh Air Force Base.  On the bus, he asked the driver if they were still in the United States.  Upon arrival, guys took Al to a bar for his first beer. 

Al was assignment to work on the B-47, B-52, and KC-135 aircrafts.  As a crew chief, he flew TDY stateside and abroad. He witnessed the refueling operations for the KC-135.

Leaving Texas, Al had no idea Plattsburgh would be his lifetime home.                                                                           Biographies