Stephen Thomas VolzBoatswains Mate 3rd ClassPCF-89, COASTAL DIV 15, TF-115, USNAVFORV United States Navy 21 August 1948 - 08 November 1968 Lakewood, California Panel 39W Line 039 |
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The database page for Stephen Thomas Volz
REMEMBEREDOn 08 Nov 1968, LTJG Richard C. Wallace , BM3 Peter P. Blasko, Jr. , and BM3 Stephen T. Volz were killed in action aboard PCF-89.
Terry L. Boone |
A Vietnam Veteran I chat with asked me to look at his web page on 1/4/02, and to read his story, "Flag Day" . I wish everyone would read this story, especially those like me who are too young to remember Vietnam. (I wasn't born until 1970.) I was bawling by the end, and then I went to the "Swift Boats" section and started looking at the pictures of those who died. I came to one in particular, that of BM3 Stephen T. Volz. My first thought was, "God, he's just a baby!" As I looked at the rest of the pictures, I realized none of those who died on the swift boats had even hit 30, at least those for whom there were pictures. And I bet it's true for the others as well.
So this poem is for you Stephen T. Volz,
This is for Joe, the vet I chat with,
And last, but by no means least,
Lament For Stephen
A ghost now whispers 'round my heart, |
Thank you brother, you gave all. I know where |
Stephen, my big brother, thank you for all you gave. I remember when I was 16 and we went crusing in your 1957 black T-Bird. I never felt so inportant. I will always remember you not only as a strong, loving man but also my big brother. LOVE, BARBIE
Barbie Parks |
A Note from The Virtual WallIn November 1968 PCF-89 operated out of Qui Nhon. On the night of 08 November the boat's 81mm mortar exploded, apparently as the result of an accidental double loading, killing the boat officer and two crewmen and severely wounding a third crewman. The three dead were
Note:
Naval mortars, unlike their infantry counterparts, are not fired by dropping rounds into the tube, where they strike a firing pin and are immediately launched. The naval mortar round is inserted into the muzzle, as with the infantry version, but the gunner decides when to fire and does so with a conventional trigger.
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 29 Sep 2002
Last updated 08/10/2009