TAPS (Non-Members) - Page 2

CHRIS THOMPSON, (Non-Member), son of Lynn E. Thompson, SOA 1401-GA, passed away 5 September 2008.

KAY JOHNSON, (Non-Member), wife of Roy Johnson, SOA # 1458-GL, passed away 24 August 2008 in Tampa, Florida.

DALLAS W. JOHNSON, (Non-Member), SGM, US Army, retired passed away 22 August 2008 at the VA Hospital Hospice Center in Tucson, AZ. Dallas enlisted in the Army in December 1950, and retired in April 1971, while serving in the 10th Special Forces Group. He served in Korea and was assigned to Special Forces units on a number of occasions, including three tours in Vietnam with the 5th Special Forces Group. Dallas was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1966 for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Dong Xoai. His other individual awards include the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (Silver Star), Combat Infantry Badge with Star, Master Parachutist Badge, and numerous other awards and decorations. He leaves a wife, Glenna, 2 sons, 1 daughter, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

BURT A. PENDERGRASS, (Non-Member), US Army, retired, passed away 19 July 2008. Burt was a veteran of Lang Vei when it was overrun the first time, and the Mobile Guerrilla Forces, 5th Special Forces Group. Among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

MSG MITCHELL W. YOUNG, (Non-Member), US Army, son-in-law of Robert Gilstrap, SOA Member # 737-GA, was killed in action in Afghanistan 13 July 2008. MSG Young had previously served in SFOD-D.

TERRENCE L. MORRONE, (Non-Member), MSG, US Army, retired, passed away 12 July 2008. Terry served two tours with B-52 Project Delta, 5th Special Forces Group in the Republic of Vietnam.

BETTE LeTOURNEAU, (Non-Member), mother of Doug LeTourneau, SOA # 2062-GA, passed away 12 July 2008.

ROBERT “BOB” GILMORE, (Non-Member), passed away 15 June 2008. Bob served in the 5th Airborne Ranger Company in Korea. He was formally Vice President of RICA, Ranger Infantry Companies Airborne Association (of the Korean War).

DONALD D. “DON” BLACKBURN, (Non-Member), BG, US Army, retired, passed away 24 May 2008. At the outbreak of World War II, he was serving as an advisor to a battalion of the 12th Infantry, Philippine Army. Upon the fall of Bataan in April 1942, he evaded capture and until October 1945 conducted guerrilla warfare on the island of Luzon. Since World War II, he has served in various command and staff assignments. In 1957, he was assigned to MAAG, Vietnam, and served as the senior advisor to the commanding general, 5th Military Region (Mekong Delta). In October 1958, he was assigned as commanding officer, 77th Special Forces Group where he was instrumental in initiating Special Forces operations in Southeast, Asia. He attended the 1960 class of the National War College. He served as deputy director of developments for special warfare, Office of the Chief of Research and Development from 1961-1964, and then was reassigned to the office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations as director of special warfare. He was Commander SOG (Studies and Observations Group) Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, from May 1965 to May 1966. He was the director of plans and programs, office of the Chief of Research and Development from October1968 until his retirement in 1971. BG Blackburn has been awarded the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Gold Star Medal (Philippines), the Medal of Merit (Philippines), Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Master Parachutists Badge. Following his military retirement, Blackburn took a position with Braddock, Dunn and McDonald, where he served as vice president, special projects until 1979 when he retired. BG Blackburn is survived by his daughter, Susan B. Douglas of Sarasota, Florida; a son, Donald D, Jr. of Los Gatos, California.

DONALD L. MELVIN, (Non-Member), CSM, US Army retired, passed away 9 May 2008. Donald served the Mobile Guerrilla Force, CCN and CCC.

LARRY SALMON, (Non-Member), LTC, US Army retired, passed away 14 April 2008. Larry served in IV Corps Mike Force.

BEN KNIPP POLSTON, MSG, (Non-Member), US Army, retired, passed away 9 April 2008. Ben served II Corps Mike Force and MACV-SOG.

HERBERT R. ZEHENDER, (Non-Member), COL, US Air Force retired, passed away 4 March 2008. On November 20, 1970, he was co-pilot of “Banana One”, HH-3, which crash landed at Son Tay, Vietnam, in an effort to rescue American Prisoners who were held there.

JOY BUTLER WILSON, (Non-Member), daughter of SOA Member Burrell “Rat” Wilson # 1111, passed away 1 March 2008.

MARY LAWLEY,(Non-Member), wife of SOA Member Wayne Lawley #1772, passed away 29 February 2008.

MRS JOYCE LUTZ, (Non-Member), wife of deceased SOA Member # 960, MG Joe Lutz, passed away 26 February 2008.

THOMAS R. “ROCKY” LANE, (Non-Member), SGM, US Army retired, passed away 5 February 2008. Rocky served with the 8240 AU during the Korean War and II Corps Mike Force during the Vietnam War.

EDWARD K. MILLER, (Non-Member), SGM, US Army retired, passed 1 February 2008. Ed served with OP 34, MACV-SOG. He also served with the 1st Special Forces Group and the Taiwan Resident Team.

THOMAS CUNNINGHAM SR., (Non-Member), father of Tom Cunningham J., SOA # 79-GL, passed away 12 January 2008.

ROBERT E. SCHOFIELD, (Non-Member), LTC, US Army retired passed away 22 December 2007. Robert served with OP 36, MACV-SOG.

JAMES L. LYONS, (Non-Member), CSM, US Army retired, passed away 25 Nov 2007. James served with “White Star” in Laos in 1962. He also served 7th, 10th, Det A, 5th and 8th Special Forces Groups.

BILLY J. JOHNSON, (Non-Member), CSM, US Army retired, passed away 21 November 2007. Billy served in TF3AE during the Vietnam. He also served in the 77th, 1st, 5th, 7th and 10th Special Forces Groups.

ROGER A. MILLER SR, (Non-Member), MSG, US Army retired, passed away 20 October 2007. Roger served with MACV-SOG. He also served with the 77th, 5th, 1st, and 10th Special Forces Groups.

WADE T. SAUNDERS, (Non-Member), SFC, US Army retired, passed away 19 October 2007. Wade served with the 8240th AU during the Korean War and the 5th Special Forces Group during the Vietnam War.