William M. Tarbell
Private
A CO, 2ND BN, 503RD INFANTRY, 173RD ABN BDE, USARV
Army of the United States
Syracuse, New York
September 18, 1945 to February 26, 1966
WILLIAM M TARBELL is on the Wall at Panel 5E, Line 82

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12 Dec 2004

I spent several years in La Salle School for boys in Albany, NY. Most all of us were there through no fault of our own, i.e., orphans or broken homes.

Bill was a small man in stature but had a heart so big he excelled in many of the organized athletics we were required to participate in. I recall when we heard the news of his death in RVN. I couldn't quite get a grasp on this Viet Nam and what it was all about so I really didn't give it much thought. I would soon find out as a member of C-1/26 Marines stationed in Khe Sanh during the Tet Offensive 67/68.

I wish to remember Bill as he grew up hard like the rest of us in those days. For the family he never had or was able to father, for the love of a woman he never had a real opportunity at, and for the courage and bravery he always silently displayed.

May he and all the souls of the unknown and forgotten rest in peace.

Semper Fi

From a classmate,
Ralph H. Smith
pinapie@aol.com


 
14 Jan 2007

William and I spent 2 years together at LaSalle school in Albany NY. He taught me never to give up on your dream. Don't let anyone or anything stop you. He was very proud of his Mohegan ancestery and he would tell me about it with great pride.

He was a tough competitor in sports and always played to win. We had planned to get together when we got out of school but I now know that Viet Nam got in the way. The plans of two 16 year olds were put on hold and we never did get together. Willie, I will never forget the short time we had together. You made the world a better place to live in. You are a great American.

From a schoolmate,
Fred Tester
160-154a Holsapple Road, Dover Plains, N Y
chief10911@aol.com


 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

On 26 Feb 1966 "A" Company, 2/503rd Infantry, lost 12 men in an action west of Bien Hoa air base:
  • PSGT Charlies E. Daniels, Detroit, MI
  • SSG Elmer E. Berry, St Joseph, MO
  • SSG Johnson F. Frank, Charlotte, NC
  • SSG Robert L. Hoskins, Norfolk, VA
  • SGT Thomas C. Brewer, Pageland, SC
  • SGT Clarence Mitchell, Nashville, TN
  • SP4 Irvin Clarke, New York, NY
  • PFC Simmie Bellamy, Conway, SC
  • PFC Ronald C. Cavinee, Crooksville, OH
  • PFC Lamar D. Frederick, Toledo, OH
  • PFC Jack L. Himes, Phoenix, AZ
  • PVT William M. Tarbell, Syracuse, NY

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