Our27

"Greater love than this no one has,
that one lay -down his life for his friends"

John 15:13

The Vietnam War, which began in early 1957 and ended with
the surrender of the South Vietnamese government 6n April 30,
1975, took the lives of many United States servicemen. Six
hundred and thirty of these men came from Philadelphia. Of this
total, twenty-seven graduated from Father Judge High School. It
is for this reason, Father Judge dedicated a Vietnam Veterans
Monument on October 20, 1968.

The monument, a large pearl grey granite stone, is embossed
with a reproduction of Michelangelo's Pieta and is located in
front of the flagpole at the main entrance to the school. It is
engraved with the names and graduation years of the twenty-seven
servicemen. At the top of the memorial, a passage from St.
John's Gospel is inscribed and dedicated to their memory:
"Greater love than this no one has, that one lay down his life
for his friends."

This book is a further memorial to honor the brave men who
lost their lives serving their Country during the Vietnam War.

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This book is dedicated to the twenty-seven graduates from
Father Judge High School who lost their lives in service to their
Country during the Vietnam War.

Raymond J. Ahern '65 Michael M. Kilderry '64
Leonard J. Albany '61 Thomas J. Killion '67
Bernard F. Kissell '6 4
John F. Bense '63 Michael R. Koper '64
William J. Brown '62 John Lyons 1 66
William Carpenter '66 Stephen P. Miller '63
Fergus Carroll 1 66 Philip O'Connell '60
Patrick M. Corcoran 1 68 John M. O'Farrell '64
Michael A. Giannini '61 Joseph Pellegrino '61
Joseph Gradel '64 William Schussler '67
Clement J. Grassi '64
James E. Snock '65
Donald Hertrich 1 66 George Townsend '66
Ronald Iller '64 Michael Vitale '66
Francis X. Kane '67 Edward Zackowski '65

RAYMOND J. AHERN, JR.

Raymond J. Ahern, Jr. lived on Oak Drive
in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia. He attended St.
Dominic's Elementary School before entering Father Judge in 1961.
He participated in intramural sports until he graduated in 1965.

Two weeks before Christmas in 1967, Raymond was drafted into
the Army. At the age of 20, he was a Specialist 4th Class, a
cannoneer with the 19th Artillary, 1st Calvary Division
(airmobile). He died near Sigon on November 26, 1968.

Raymond was very popular with his fellow soldiers and
officers. He was posthumously awarded the Army's Bronze Star
Medal, 1st Oak Leaf Cluster "for distinguished and outstanding
meritorious service in connection with ground operations against
a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam". For fifteen years
following his death, his Commanding Officer sent flowers to be
placed on his grave.

LEONARD J. ALBANY

Leonard J. Albany lived on Magee Street
in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia. He attended St.
Timothy's Elementary School before entering Father Judge High
School in 1957. He was an absentee reporter and an active
participant in intramural sports until his graduation from Father
Judge in 1961.

He attended Temple University for a few months and then,
following the advice of a friend, joined the Coast Guard at the
age of twenty. On January 25, 1966, Leonard was scheduled to go
on maneuvers, but the orders were cancelled. On that same day,
he died in an automobile accident.

JOHN F. BENSE, JR.

John F. Bense, Jr., "Jack" to most
people, was regarded as one of the most popular personalities to
ever come out of Father Judge High School. Not only was he an
excellent student/ athlete, he was very well liked and respected
by the entire community including the faculty and the students of
Judge. He was that person you could turn to if you needed advice
or just wanted someone to talk to. He had shown his concern for
the welfare of his fellow man by making the ultimate sacrifice,
laying down his life so that another may live.

Coaches remember him as a gifted athlete who played hard but
fair, and might have made it in professional football. He won
the Outstanding Class Athlete Award when he graduated from Father
Judge in 1963. At 6 foot 2 and 200 pounds, he was an All-
Catholic tackle and received an All-State football team honorable
mention. John attended the University of Tulsa briefly on a
Football Scholarship and worked in construction before being
drafted into the Army in November, 1965.

Sergeant John Bense was sent to Vietnam in July, 1966 where
he was assigned to Company C of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry,
4th Infantry Division. Tragically, John, the team leader was
killed on April 27, 1967 after throwing a body block on his
platoon leader to save him from a live grenade. This brave and
heroic deed proved that John was willing to risk his life to save
another and also proved that John was truly a respected and
loving comrade. Father Judge g ives the Se rgeant John F. Bense,
Jr. Award each year to an outstand i ng g rad uat i ng athlete.

John's greatest dream, his parents said, "was to return home

and resume a normal life with his family in the neighborhood he
loved."

WILLIAM J. BROWN

William J. Brown lived on Oakmont Street
in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia. He attended St.
Bernard's Elementary School before entering Father Judge High
School in 1958. He was a member of the Father Judge intramural
teams until his graduation in 1962.

William became a Marine, enlisting shortly after graduation.
He reenlisted because he believed strongly that the United States
should be in Vietnam. At the age of 21, he was a Sergeant, the
chief clerk of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine
Division. He died near the Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province of
Vietnam, on May 20, 1967 ,, a moment which his mother calls "a day
in our lives we shall never forget".

WILLIAM H. CARPENTER

William H. Carpenter, Jr. lived on Ditman
Street in the Tacony section of Philadelphia. He attended St.
Leo's Elementary School before entering Father Judge in 1963. He
actively participated in Father Judge intramural sports until he
graduated in 1967.

Shortly after graduation, William joined the U.S. Marine
Corps because he wanted to get his military service finished
before beginning college. He was a 19 year old Private and radio
telephone operator for the Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd
Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He died in the Thau Thien
Province of Vietnam on December 27, 1967.

William was one of seven from the Tacony area to die in
Vietnam. He had spent many happy hours at the Disston Recreation
Center with his friends. Residents have petitioned the city to
rename the facility the "William H. Carpenter, Jr. Recreation
Center" in his honor.

FERGUS J. CARROLL

Fergus J. Carroll grew up on St. Vincent
Street in the Summerdale Section of Philadelphia. Nothing
bothered "Fergy" Carroll. He could see humor in almost any
situation. Fergus, a 1966 graduate of Father Judge High School,
was liked by his friends and had shown his Crusader spirit by
participating in intramurals.

Although he had planned to attend college, he enlisted in
the Marine Corps shortly after the summer was over. The 19 year
old Corporal, Rifleman and Grenade Launcher Operator, was
assigned to Company K of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd
Marine Division in Vietnam. Fergus J. Carroll died on June 18,
1968.

PATRICK M. CORCORAN

Seaman apprentice Patrick M. Corcoran,
age 19, of Jackson Street in the Torresdale section of
Philadelphia was among the 74 crewmen lost when a U.S. destroyer
was sliced in two by an Australian aircraft carrier.

Patrick's father was later interviewed and said his son was
well liked by everyone. "I never heard anyone speak against him.
Everyone went out of their way to tell me what a good boy he
was."

Young Corcoran, a slender six footer, was a 1968 graduate of
Father Judge. He enlisted in the Navy on August 16, 1968.

About 3:15 A.M. in the calm, moonlit darkness of June 3,
1969, while many sailors were sleeping in their berths below
deck, the destroyer Patrick was on collided with an Australian
aircraft carrier.

Patrick's father was interviewed again in 1988. "It'll be
20 years, hard to believe, 20 years ... It took a long, long time
until - well, you never get over it. There were a lot of
sleepness nights."

Over the years, Thomas Corcoran began to think that his
son's death deserved some notice. He believed Pat's name
belonged on the National and Philadelphia monuments. He was told
that it was impossible because his son's death occurred outside
the combat area.

Mr. Corcoran ap p ealed in person and the Philadelphia Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Fund began to consider the case.

Almost 20 years after the summer of 1969, Thomas Corcoran stood
before his son's name - etched now in granite, forever.

MICHAEL A. GIANNINI

Michael Giannini lived on Roosevelt
Boulevard near Oxford Circle. He was a member of the Father
Judge High School Honor Society before he graduated in 1961.
Michael had many hobbies including skiing, swimming and football.
He worked as a busboy and shop foreman for two years while taking
Business Administration courses at Temple University. Michael
entered the Army in March, 1965. He was a Forward Observer
before attending Officer Candidate School. Michael was only 23
years old, a First Lieutenant Commander of Battery B of the 3rd
Battalion, 82nd Artillery, 196th Light Infantry Brigade in Tay
Ninh Province, Vietnam when he died on March 16, 1967.

JOSEPH GRADEL

Joeseph Gradel was one of 11 children
living at Roselane, Pennypack Park. Joe loved playing sports.
When he was a youngster he played shortstop on the Pennypack Park
Athletic Association. He was also a member of the tennis team at
Father Judge high School. After graduating from Father Judge in
1964, he worked for Holme Cleaners located at Welsh Road and
Holme Avenue. He was engaged to be married when he was drafted
into the Marine Corps in January, 1966. Joe was a 20 year old
Corporal, Rifleman and Squad Leader. He was assigned to Company
M of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division in
Vietnam. Joseph Gradel died on April 29, 1967 while on patrol at
Trung Phan, near Ba Nang Quang Nern Province. He will always be
loved and remembered by his parents and 4 brothers and 6 sisters.

CLEMENT J. GRASSI

Clement Grassi, as stated by his mother,
"was a wonderful son who was kind, fun-loving and very popular;
he was liked by everybody and had so many friends." Clement's
kind and loving gestures were proven when he died for his country
in Vietnam.

Clement, the only son of Mary and Pasquale Grassi, graduated
from Father Judge in 1964. He was a member of the Student
Government, track team, the band and intramural sports. Outside
of school he was involved in many sporting activities including
football, basketball, baseball and swimming. These qualities of
Clement had shown that he was a true "sportsman" and that the
needs of others came before his own.

After High School, Clement went to the IBM School where he
learned to be a computer programmer. He later worked for Union
Fidelity Life Insurance Company.

On September 7, 1966, when he was 19, he enlisted in the
Marines. Clement wanted to show that he could be a true
"sportsman" on the battlefield as well. He survived an enemy
siege of Khe Sanh which lasted 77 days. Clement, a Corporal and
Rifleman, was assigned to Company A of the 1st Battalion, 26th
Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He was killed near Da Nang, Quang
Nam Province, Vietnam on June 15, 1968. He was awarded the
Presidential Citation for his service at Khe Sanh, Rifleman's
Citation, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and a
Purple Heart.

DONALD J. HERTRICH

Donald Hertrich graduated from Father
Judge High School in 1966. While attending Father Judge he was
very popular and had many friends. After school he worked as a
clerk at the Acme Supermarket at 7100 Frankford Avenue. He was
engaged to be married when he entered the Army in October, 1967,
at the age of 20. He had plans to attend college when he
returned home.

Donald was a Corporal, light weapons infantryman and
personnel carrier driver stationed in Vietnam in April, 1968. He
was in Company A of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 25th
Infantry Division. He was killed in action on November 8, 1968
after being hospitalized twice before for a wound to the ear and
shrapnel wounds to the face.

RONALD M. ILLER

Ronald Iller, "Ronnie" to his friends,
was a quiet, thoughtful boy who was popular and well-liked by
many. He worked at Scott's Florist part-time while attending
Father Judge High School . After graduating in 1964, he began
working full-time until he was drafted into the Army at the age
of 21. Assigned to the 525th Quartermaster Company, Ronnie was a
specialist in the operation of light vehicles. He wrote home
often and in all of his letters, he would write the number of
days remaining until he could come home. He advised his younger
brother, Denny, against enlisting. Besides Denny, he had two
older brothers, Matt and Jack, and his parents, Clara and Matthew
Sr .

On September 22, 1967, after a year and three months
service, Ronnie died at Ban Me Thuot in the Darlac Province when
the fuel truck which he was driving coll i ded with another
vehicle. He died at the age of 22.

FRANCIS X. KANE

Francis X. Kane graduated from Father
Judge in 1967. He lived in the Holmesburg section of
Philadelphia. One of eight children, he and his brothers and
sisters spent much time at the Torresdale Boys Club and Swim
Club. He was a member of the Student Government, and
participated in intramural sports.

Francis loved his country very much and wanted to serve it
as a Marine, which he was able to do after he gradusted in 1967.
He was sent to Vietnam as a Private First Class Rifleman in the
9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. On April 21, 1968, Francis was
killed while on a search-and-destroy mission.

"Franny had a short life. It was a full and happy life,
spent with loving family and sacrificed for the country he
loved,'' his mother remembered. The Torresdale Boys Cl ub has
presented an annual Francis X. Kane Award in his memory.

MICHAEL J. KILDERRY

Michael J. Kilderry attended Lincoln High
School and Father Judge High School. He graduated from Father
Judge in 1964. At Judge, he played in several intramural sports.
He lived in St. Matthew's parish in Mayfair.

After graduation, he worked as a postal clerk for a short
time. He joined the Marines and was sent to Vietnam. He was a
Rifleman-Grenadier in the 3rd Marine Division. In June, 1968, he
was wounded while carrying out Operation Scotland I I . One month
later, on July 6, 1968, he died. It was one week before his
twenty-first birthday.

THOMAS J. KILLION, JR . .

Thomas J. Killion, Jr. was a graduate of
the Father Judge Class of 1967. He was a Class Officer, and he
participated in intramural sports. In his Sophomore year, Thomas
was President of his class. Upon graduating, he worked for a
time at Dean Carbide Company. He joined the Marine Corps in
1968. He had planned, after returning home, to join the
Philadelphia Fire Department and to marry his fiancee .

Thomas was a Private First Class Rifleman in the 1st Marine
Division. His parents said that he didn't complain at all about
the war in his letters home so that his mother would not worry.
He was killed in action on November 17, 1968.

BERNARD F. KISSEL, JR.

Bernard F. Kissel, Jr., a native of the
Tacony section of Philadelphia, attended Saint Leo's Elementary
School at Keystone and Unruh Streets. In 1964, he graduated from
Father Judge High School and participated in the ROTC program
while attending Temple University.

"Bernie" Kissel was an industrious young man with a solid,
promising future. He was scheduled to return home from Vietnam
in three weeks and would have been married the week after his
return. He was set to enter the family business, Triple B
Automotive on James Street.

Sergeant Kissel was an aircraft mechanic assigned to Tan Son
Nhut Air Base near Saigon. His aggressiveness and hard work were
attributes that greatly helped him during his career in the
military. Bernard Kissel died at the age of 22 on October 21,
1968 in Darlac Province, 19 miles southwest of Ban Me Thout. His
parents and brother will always remember and love him.

MICHAEL R. KOPER

Michael R. Koper lived on the 3600 block
of Salina Road. He attended Our Lady of Calvary Elementary
School before entering Father Judge in 1960. He was a member of
the school band and an active participant in intramural sports
until he graduated in 1964.

He graduated from the Quaker City School of Aeronautics and
became a laboratory technician at the Philadelphia Laboratories
Co., a pharmaceutical firm which was located at 51st Street and
Lancaster Avenue.

Corporal Koper, a Marine Corps Air Reservist, was killed in
a truck accident while returning from rifle practice. The convoy
carrying eleven men swerved to avoid a car and overturned on an
embankment. Michael was alive when found trapped under the
truck, but died before reaching the hospital. He died on July
20, 1968.

JOHN M. LYONS

John "Cubby" Lyons was a man who firmly
believed in the power of prayer. In his final letter from
Vietnam, which arrived the day after his death, he wrote "I
really appreciate everybody's prayers, and I pray a lot myself."

John Lyons graduated from Father Judge in 1966. While
attending Father Judge he developed a strong faith in God which
he held onto for the rest of his life. In his last letter, he
also wrote "I'll be O.K. and if anything happens, I'll still be
O.K. God's given me a good family, a wonderful wife and a son to
be proud of."

After graduation from Father Judge, John worked as a
telephone lineman for 18 months until he enlisted in the Army in
September, 1967. At age 20, John was a Corporal Rifleman
assigned to Company D of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st
Airborne Division. He wrote of the war: "I hate this war, but
while I'm in it, I'll do my best."

He died in combat in Vietnam on September 16, 1968. His
wife, Anna is active in Vietnam Veterans causes in Bucks County.

STEPHEN P. MILLER

Born on March 24, 1945, Stephen P. Miller
hailed from Cowden Street in Bustleton. Described by his
teachers as a "rambunctious blond", Stephen fulfilled a longtime
ambition and enlisted in the Marines in June 1963, a few days
after graduating from Father Judge. Mr. Miller was one of five
graduates from the class of '63 who joined the Marine Corps on
the "Buddy Plan", a program in which the Marines would attempt to
keep all five graduates together for their enlistment tenure. An
amateur boxer, Steve was physically able to go through boot camp
quickly and enter Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for infantry
training. There he took up karate and became proficient enough
to become an instructor.

Serving in the Marine Guard detachment at the National
Security Agency in Washington D.C., Corporal Miller remained at
this post until 1966 when he was transferred to the 26th Marine
Regiment headed for Vietnam. Because of Stephen's seniority
within the Marines, he was given the distinction of leading a
machine gun squad attached to Company D of the 1st Battalion,
26th Marine Regiment.

Ironically, at the tender age of 20, Corporal Miller was one
of the"old guys" in the battalion because the other soldiers who
he was leading were substantially younger than he was.
Tragically, this dedicated Marine's life came to an end on
September 18, 1966 when he was killed while trying to rescue a
fellow Marine trapped under enemy fire in the Gio Linh District
of Quang Tri Province during Oper a tio n Dec khouse IV.

PHILIP O'CONNELL

Philip O'Connell grew up on Knorr Street
in St. Matthew's Parish. After graduating from Father Judge in
1960, Philip continued his education at Mount St. Mary's College
in Emmitsburg, Maryland and proceeded to enter Officers Candidate
School in Newport, Rhode Island. As a Navy officer, Lieutenant
O'Connell was assigned to Project Cloud Gap in Fort Huachuca,
Arizona. Project Cloud Gap was an organization under the joint
control of the Department of Defense and the U.S. Arms Control
and Disarmament Agency. Its primary function was to conduct
tests to evaluate inspection and verification procedures to
insure compliance with any future disarmament agreements. Cloud
Gap Field Test-lA(CG-lA) was the first of a series of tests to
evaluate the effectiveness of current on-site inspection
procedures used to identify clandestine underground nuclear
tests. Results of this and subsequent tests provided the United
States a sound basis for negotiating the inspection aspects of a
comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

At the time of the accident, Lieutenant O'Connell was
travelling in an Army UH-1D helicopter from one of the inspection
sites to another in the Santa Rita Mountains which are located
south of Tuscan, Arizona. As the helicopter approached the
ground for landing, it apparently suffered a loss of power and
fell to the ground. It exploded on impact and Philip was killed
instantly. This brave young man died in the service of his
country while engaged in a project most vital to the security of
the United States.

JOHN M. O'FARRELL

A student with a keen interest in
science, John M. O'Farrell was raised in Mayfair on Hellerman
Street. At Father Judge, John won many prizes for physics
including the Bausch and Lomb Award. He later attended La Salle
College to major in physics. As an amateur astronomer and member
of the Franklin Institute, Mr. O'Farrell dabbled in optics and
photography. John left La Salle after his sophomore year and
enlisted in the Army, planning to finish his education upon
returning from Vietnam. He graduated from O.C.S. in Fort
Benning, Georgia and became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne
in Fort Bragg in 1967. John Volunteered to go to Vietnam and was
sent in 1968. The 22 year old First Lieutenant was commander of
Company B of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 25th Infantry
Division. Lieutenant O'Farrell died on January 14, 1969 in Tay
Ninh Province.

He was posthumously awarded two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, a
Purple Heart, an Army Commendation Medal, a Vietnam Service
Medal, a Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, a National Defense Service
Medal, a Combat Infantryman's Badge, a Parachutist Badge, a
Sharpshooter Badge with Bar, a Bronze letter "V" device for
Valor, and Oak Leaf Clusters. On April 24, 1969, Mr. and Mrs.
O'Farrell were given the awards for their son John at the
Frankford Arsenal.

JOSEPH D. PELLEGRINO

Joseph D. Pellegrino lived in St.
Katherine's parish on the 3800 block of Aubrey Avenue. He
attended Father Judge and was very active in the school
community. He was a member of the Scholarship Club, Spirit
Committee and was on intramural teams.

He graduated from high school in June of 1961, and in
September of that same year, Joseph enlisted in the Army and
joined the Green Berets. In 1963, Joseph was ordered to Vietnam
as a Private, but he returned home a Sergeant.

In 1965, his sense of adventure and attraction to the
Special Forces and Officer Candidate School led him to re-enlist .
The 22 year old Second Lieutenant became a senior advisor to
Civilian Irregular Defense Group Company in Vietnam. While
successfully saving captured enemy documents that had been swept
down the Song Con River on May 18, 1966, Joseph Pellegrino lost
his life. He was the first of the twenty seven Father Judge
graduates to be killed in action due to this war.

Post 3 of the Italian-American War Veterans in Lafayette
Hill was renamed the Joseph D. Pellegrino Post in memory of this
young Officer's heroism and courage.

WILLIAM J. SCHUSSLER

William J. Schussler lived on the 8600
block of Marigold Place and entered Father Judge in 1963. He was
a member of the bowling team and played on intramural teams. He
graduated from Father Judge in 1967 and immediately took a job as
a refrigeration and air-conditioning apprentice at the
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

In January 1969, William enlisted in the Marines and was
sent to Vietnam. He was a Private First Class and was assigned
to Headquarters and Service Company of the 3rd Marine Amphibious
Force.

He was part of an elite Marine unit patrolling the jungle
around the air base at Da Nang. On October 24, 1969, near Binh
Son in Quang Ngai Province, William Schussler was killed at the
age of 19.

While in Vietnam, William often wrote to family and friends.
In a letter sent to the Pennypack Woods Chit-Chat newspaper, he
thanked neighbors for a package they had sent him and expressed
his feelings about being in Vietnam in the following poem:

Now if I am going to die
Please! Make it worth a cause

Please for me
Tell my parents goodbye
For I was fighting for this cause
Not for these Vietnamese

His sister said that William was more than a big brother.
She said, "He gave the word friend a better· meaning of caring and
helping. He loved his family and proved it not only by what he
did ... but how he did it."

JAMES E. SNOCK

James E. Snock lived on the 2800 block of
Tyson Avenue. He attended St. Matthew's Grade School and then
entered Father Judge in 1961. He was remembered by teachers and
friends as a fun-loving individual, long on school spirit and
active in high school acitivities such as, the Spirit Committee,
the Crusader Staff and playing on intramural teams.

In June of 1965, James graduated from Father Judge. He
attended Pennsylvania Institute of Technology and worked for a
year as a detailer for a firm producing mechanical drawings. He
joined the Marine Corps in September, 1966.

James had been an automatic rifleman in Company E of the 2nd
Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. In April, 1967,
James sustained injuries in Da Nang, Quang Nam Province. The 20
year old Private First Class was sent home and died in the
Philadelphia Naval Hospital on September 3. 1967 due to his
injuries.

GEORGE H. TOWNSEND

One of the lines in the Father Judge
Fight Song says "We'll win them all". This line describes the
fignting spirit that has always been a part of Father Judge and
its student body. One of the students to best represent this
school spirit is George Townsend. He attended St. Barthlolmew
grammar school before entering Father Judge. When George came to
Judg~, he came with the hope of being a Crusader. He joined the
soccer team and also became a member of the band. He graduated
from Father Judge in 1966. After graduation, he became a
steamfitter apprentice. He worked at this job until he enlisted
in the Marines in January of 1967. He arrived in Vietnam in
August of that same year and was then assigned to Company G of
the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. George
fought heroically with the fighting spirit of a Father Judge
Alumnus, but in war, there is no mercy. George was wounded in
action and evacuated to the Naval Hospital in Yokuska, Japan. He
died on October 17, 1967. At the age of only 19, he was robbed
of one of the most precious gifts from God ... Life. His courage
and valor will always be remembered by the parents and friends he
left behind.

MICHAEL N. VITALE

In the Father Judge Alma Mater it says
"Raise up our banner Red and Blue on high". This line concerns
the pride that every student has for Father Judge and for their
Country. Michael was one of those students who felt that before
he could start his life, he owed it to his Country to serve in
the Armed Forces. After he graduated from Father Judge in 1966,
he joined the Marines. According to his mother, Michael had
always admired the Marines and what they stood for, so it was no
surprise that he enlisted in the Marines in August of 1968.

Michael had attended St. Timothy's Grade School before
entering Father Judge. While at Father Judge, Michael
participated in the intramural program and was an asset to the
Father Judge community. Before Michael enlisted, he worked as an
electrician's helper for a year at Sun Shipbuilding in Chester in
Chester.

When Michael arrived in Vietnam, he was assigned to Company
F of the 2nd Battalion. He wrote home to his parents on a
regular basis and on the day he died, his parents received a
letter from their son. It said "Everything is quiet here and I
just hope I don't have to use my gun." This line showed that
everyone experiences fear and doubt, even soldiers. Michael died
defending the Country he loved in a search and destroy mission in
the Quang Nam Province. He died on April 14, 1969. His memory
will be kept alive by the people he loved and by those who loved
him.

EDWARD F. ZACKOWSKI

Edward graduated from Father Judge in
1965. While a student at Father Judge, Edward participated i n
the intramurals program. He was a graduate of St. Leo's Grade
School in Tacony. Although he was shy by nature, he did have a
close relationship with several friends. One of these friends,
John Donohue (a 1965 Judge graduate), recalls countless summer s
that he and Ed played baseball at the neighborhood field. Ed was
a pitcher for the Tacony PAL Team. It was through John that Ed
met his future fiance Charlene at a local dance.

After graduation from Father Judge, Ed worked at Stone
Container Corporation before being drafted into the Army in
October of 1966. In Vietnam, he was a member of Company D of the
2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. He wrote
home frequently, sometimes relating witty stories to his brother.
His letters, however, showed a much more serious tone. In one of
his letters he wrote this original poem:

I came to this place because there was a job to be done
It didn't take long to find out it wouldn't be fun
I'm here for a year and a year I'll stay
I'll fight like hell and pray each day
That my being here will keep my brother away.

During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Edward received his first
of four Purple Hearts for injuries received when he was shot in
the leg. He was also awarded the Silver Star and the Bronze Star
for extreme valor in combat. Edward Zackowski dies on Novembe r
28, 1967, while on a search and destroy mission near the Cambodian
border.

Edward's prayer for his brother was heard. Ernie, his
brother, never had to serve in Vietnam.

THE SOLDIER'S PRAYER

Stay with me, God. The night is dark.
The night is cold. My little spark
Of courage dies. The night is long.
Be with me, God, and make me strong.

I love a game, I love a fight.
I hate the dark, I love the light.

I love my child, I love my wife.
I am no coward. I love life.

Life, with its change of mood and shade,
I want to live, I'm not afraid,

But me and mine are hard to part-
Oh, unknown God, lift up my heart.

We were alone and hope had fled.
We loved our country and our dead,
And could not shame them, so we stayed
The course, and were not much afraid.

Dear God, that nightmare road! And then
That sea! We got there ... We were men.
My eyes were blind, my feet were torn,
My soul sang like a bird at dawn!

I knew that Death is but a door.
I knew what we were fighting for:
Peace for the kids, our brothers freed,
A kinder world, a cleaner breed.

I'm but the son my mother bore,
A simple man, and nothing more.
But - God of strength and gentleness
Be pleased to make me nothing less.

Help me, 0 God, when death is near
To mock the haggard face of fear,
That when I fall - if I fall I must -
My soul may triumph in the dust.

Unknown Soldier

The 1990 National Honor Society Vietnam Veterans Committee
would like to thank all the family and friends of the twenty-
seven men who are honored in this book for helping us to obtain
some of the informaiton needed for its successful completion.

A special thanks to Joseph Garvey, a former Marine who
served in Vietnam, for his generous donation which enabled us to
have this book printed as a special memorial to these twenty-
seven brave men who gave their lives for their Country.