Joseph Vierra

Private First Class
C CO, 2ND BN, 34TH ARMOR, 4 INF DIV
Army of the United States
18 April 1946 - 02 March 1967
Oakland, California
Panel 16E Line 005

4 INF DIV

34TH ARM RGT
Armor

Purple Heart (2 awards), National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Joseph Vierra

26 Aug 2003

I never had the honor of knowing my Uncle Joe, but I do hold the honor of being named after him. I know he was loved by his family, and gave his life so all of us could enjoy our freedom. I know that he volunteered to go out the day he died, and helped others to survive with no regard for his own life. He was only 20 years old the day he gave his life and just knowing him through stories and the letters he had written to our family it does not surprise me that he would give his own life to keep others out of harm's way. I wish I could have just one day to spend with him and get to know him, I often think how it would be if he came home from that place where we lost so many brave souls. Would it have changed the course of my life? I know I would have learned a lot from him. I feel very proud to call him my Uncle Joe and know he will always be with me.

All I ask is that we never forget these Heroes that gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live the life that they wanted to live when they returned home. We have veterans of past wars all around us, please take the time to thank them for all they sacrificed and let them know we appreciate what they did for all of us and this great country. I know my Uncle Joe would want us all to do that. Someday when my time comes and I move on I look forward to meeting my uncle for the first time and sitting back to listen to all the stories he has to tell, and to finally shake his hand and thank him personally for all he did. My name is Joseph J. McDonald and I am proud to say I am Joseph Vierra's nephew.

Joseph J. McDonald
9715 East Lathrop Road, Manteca, CA 95336
jmdcreations@yahoo.com


My uncle's grave site

A Note from The Virtual Wall

PFC Joseph Vierra died on 02 March 1967 of wounds received in action on 01 Mar 1967, when C Company, 2/34th Armor, was conducting a security operation along Highway 239, 8 kilometers west-southwest of Dau Tieng, in support of elements of the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry. During the operation, the US forces tangled with a reinforced battalion of enemy troops. C/2/34 lost two tanks, with two men killed in action (SSgt Alvester Hill and SP4 Jerry Duane Byers) and 8 men wounded in action.

From the
2/34 Armor History page






Site 907, Section B,
Golden Gate National Cemetery,
San Bruno, California

Photo courtesy of Crawford Hammersley





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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 27 Aug 2003
Last updated 08/10/2009