Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Last Photo |
Personal Details
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Home State
New York | |
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Year of Birth 1948 |
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Casualty Info
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Home Town Fort Lauderdale, FL |
Last Address Jamaica, New York
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Casualty Date Jul 25, 1969 |
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Cause KIA-Died of Wounds |
Reason Other Cause |
Location Quang Tin (Vietnam) |
Conflict Vietnam War |
Location of Interment Long Island National Cemetery (VA) - Farmingdale, New York |
Wall/Plot Coordinates Section X, Site 3597 |
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Reflections on SP 4 Aiken's
US Army Service
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IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
"I served with Marty in the 3/21, 196th Light Infantry Brigade. I was in the same squad and was wounded in the same action that took Marty Martin Leo Damitio's life. I can tell you that Marty died as a true hero.
"We were pinned down in intense fire and despite the orders to pull back to our platoon perimeter, Marty and Larry Aiken refused to do so. Jack Folger had been shot in the foot or ankle and could not get up to run. Marty and Larry would not leave Jack, and Marty was killed along with Jack Folger.
"Larry was captured by the enemy and several weeks later , some time in July, I think, died as American forces tried to rescue him. I was shot in the leg but managed to get back to the rest of the company and was MEDEVAC'd to Chu Lai and later sent to Japan to recuperate. "In the few months I knew Marty we hit if off quite well. We shared a lot of stories about our previous lives back in the world?. We were both reluctant soldiers and often talked about the insanity of war. He told me about seeing the Young Bloods at the Lighter Than Air Fair but I never knew he was in a band. "He was a good guy and I think about him often. Especially at this time of year."
Chuck Matthews, May 2011 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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