Remembering Marshall County’s Vietnam War Casualties
Written by Justin D. Lamb
They Did Not Run.
They Did Not Protest.
They Died Proud For A Country They Loved.
The history of the Vietnam War is one we must never forget. From 1954 through 1975, approximately 2,709,918 Americans, both drafted and enlisted, answered the call to serve in Vietnam. As the war dragged on by the late 1960s, it raised many doubts, fears, and questions among the American people and never before had an American war been protested so loudly at home. Due to the war’s unpopularity, many soldiers returning home from Vietnam were robbed of their well-deserved hero’s welcome. If one lesson can be learned of the Vietnam War it should be to remind us to thank our military personnel for putting themselves in harm’s way and for the pain and suffering they may have suffered. It reminds us to think of the families of these brave Americans, their worry and anguish, and be grateful for their sacrifice. And it reminds us to remember those still missing and unaccounted for.
The Vietnam War claimed the lives of 58,220 Americans who died in service to their country in the jungles and rice patties of Vietnam. Seven of those service men called Marshall County home. Their names are forever enshrined on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. as well as the Vietnam War monument on the courthouse lawn in Benton and the Veteran’s Plaza at the county park in Draffenville. But these heroic Americans were much more than names on a wall. They were fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, uncles, and friends who answered their country’s call of duty, but never returned home. With Memorial Day upon us, it is only fitting that we take a moment to remember our fellow Marshall Countians who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we might live in a society of freedom and democracy. May their sacrifice never be forgotten.
Lance Corporal Jerry Wayne Dunigan
Son of Jamie S. Dunigan and Julie C. Dunigan
Born- June 10, 1946; Marshall County, Kentucky
Died- November 12, 1966; Quang Nam, Vietnam
Lance Corporal Jerry Wayne Dunigan was the first Marshall Countian to lose his life in Vietnam. He was a native of the Possum Trot community and attended North Marshall High School before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He received training atParis Island, South Carolina and Camp Pendleton, California. He arrived in Vietnam in July 1966 and was wounded in September. Just two weeks after returning to active duty, Corporal Dunigan was killed on November 12, 1966 in the vicinity of Quang Nam from wounds sustained from an explosion from a mine while on patrol duty. Corporal Dunigan was 20 years old. Corporal Dunigan was a member of Mt. Moriah Primitive Baptist Church and was buried in the Fooks Cemetery with military rites.
Captain Billie T. Presson
Son of Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Presson
Born- May 2, 1939; Calvert City, Kentucky
Died- September 20, 1967; Binh Duong, Vietnam
Captain Billie T. Presson attended Sharpe and Breezeel schools in Marshall County and graduated from Tilghman High School in 1957. Presson graduated from Murray State University in 1962 with an ROTC commission. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, Fort Rucker, and Fort Meade before being sent overseas to Korea. Presson arrived in Vietnam on March 10, 1967 as a helicopter pilot. He received national attention during the summer months when he mistakenly landed his helicopter in enemy territory which was scheduled to be destroyed momentarily. He quickly took off again and completed a rescue mission. The mission earned Presson the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Purple Heart. During his first flight after returning to Vietnam following a week’s leave with his wife, Cynthia, in Honolulu, Hawaii, Captain Presson was killed by a sniper’s bullet as he landed his helicopter to deploy troops in Ho Bo Woods near Saigon. He was 28 years old. Captain Presson left behind a widow and two small children, Billy and Michael. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Benton and was laid to rest in Marshall County Memory Gardens with military honors.
Private First Class Ronald Lee “Ronnie” Reed
Son of Mr. and Mrs. William G. Reed
Born- Feburary 27, 1949; Marshall County, Kentucky
Died- November 12, 1968; Quang Nam, Vietnam
Private First Class Ronald Lee “Ronnie” Reed attended Briensburg Elementary and later North Marshall High School where he gained recognition as a local basketball talent. A few days after graduating in May 1967, Reed enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On November 12, 1968, Private First Class Reed died as a result of fragmentation wounds received to his head and body following enemy attack. He was 19 years old. Private Reed was laid to rest in the Provine Cemetery in Briensburg with full military honors.
Private First Class James E. Glisson
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Glisson
Born- November 17, 1948; Graves County, Kentucky
Died- November 30, 1968; Ben Luc, Vietnam
Private First Class James Edwin Glisson was a 1966 graduate of South Marshall High School and a member of Hardin-Dexter Methodist Church. Glisson was drafted in May 1968 and arrived in Vietnam on October 5, 1968. Glisson was killed in action in South Vietnam while serving on a combat mission with the U.S. 9th Infantry Division. He was 20 years old and left behind a wife, Laverne Edwards Glisson. He was laid to rest with military honors in the Marshall County Memory Gardens.
Staff Sergeant James Michael “Mickey” Hall
Son of Overton Hall and Nettie Riley
Born- December 18, 1940; Marshall County, Kentucky
Died- January 1, 1969; Laos
Staff Sergeant James Michael “Mickey” Hall attended school Benton and later graduated from Caldwell County High School. Following graduation, he joined the United States Army and arrived in Vietnam in May 1968. Staff Sergeant Hall was a member of the 5th Special Forces Group stationed near Da Nang, South Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, the Air Medal, Republic of Vietnam National Defense Medal, and the UNSF Honorary Jump Wings. Following an R&R leave in December 1968, Staff Sergeant Hall was killed in action on New Year’s Day 1969. He was 28 years old. He was laid to rest in Marshall County Memory Gardens.
Sergeant Arnold Noel Jaco
Son of Hubert and Mildred Jaco
Born- July 7, 1946; Marshall County, Kentucky
Died- September 6, 1969; Thailand
Sergeant Arnold Noel Jaco graduated from Benton High School and attended Murray State University before joining the United States Air Force in 1966. After three years in the service, Jaco was sent overseas to Vietnam in April 1969. On September 6, 1969, Sergeant Jaco was killed when his aircraft crashed just 200 feet away from the runway during a rainstorm at Korat Air Base in Thailand after returning from a 13 hour recon mission over Southeast Asia. He was 23 years old. Three other service men were killed and eight others injured in the crash. Sergeant Jaco was laid to rest in the Provine Cemetery in Briensburg with full military rites.
SP4 Ronnie L. Gipson
Son of James and Eleanor Noles
Born- February 22, 1947; Marshall County
Died- July 23, 1972; Philippine Islands
Specialist 4 Ronnie L. Gipson attended North Marshall High School and joined the United States Army immediately following graduation. Gipson was sent overseas in 1972 and died in a hospital in the Philippine Islands on July 23, 1972. He was 25 years old. He was laid to rest in the Marshall County Memory Gardens with military rites.