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William D. Sizemore
Sergeant First Class
2/42ND ARVN, ADV TEAM 23, HQ, MACV ADVISORS, MACV Army of the United States Augusta, Georgia March 13, 1933 to June 28, 1967 WILLIAM D SIZEMORE is on the Wall at Panel 22E, Line 81 |
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My father, SFC William D. Sizemore and First Lieutenant Anthony J. Borrego were killed by mortar fire during an ambush on Highway 14 south of Dak To in Kontum Province on June 28,1967. My Dad and 1st Lt. Borrego were part of Advisory Team #23 attached to the 2/42 ARVN Regiment. They were engaged in Operation Greeley with elements of the 1st Cavalry Divison and 173rd Airborne Brigade.
My Dad had been killed on his eighteenth day in country. It took eleven days for his body to arrive for the funeral. My mother was a strong person, but I worried about her being able to cope with the loss of my Dad. She was proud to be a military spouse but nothing could have prepared her for being a young widow with four children.
My Dad was a fine man who loved his family and this country. He was the best this country could offer. We should all be proud that men like my Dad are prepared to die for the freedoms and rights we enjoy as Americans. Men like my father are very special and they are irreplaceable. We must never forget that our way of life is courtesy of men like my father. Finally, I would like to say a long overdue "Welcome Home" to all veterans who returned from Vietnam.
From a proud son, Visit Sons & Daughters in Touch |
My Dad had been in the Army for sixteen years and had earned his first Combat Infantryman's Badge with 1/8 Cavalry in Korea. In his last letter to my Mom, Dad wrote that "The V.C. were really stirring up a hornet's nest" and that for now "No news was good news". On June 30, 1967, news arrived and it was not good. My sister and two brothers and I had just been called in for lunch and someone knocked at the front door. My mother went to answer the door and moments later we heard my mother begin to scream in anguish. We peeked into the living room and saw a man in uniform and knew we no longer had a father.
After the funeral, we left Fort Gordon, Georgia, and moved near my grandparents. We learned very quickly that it was easier to fit in if you hid the fact your father was killed in Vietnam. The anti-war movement was growing and people were "uncomfortable" with the fact that fathers, husbands and sons were dying in Vietnam. Even within our own family the subject of our Dad's death was too painful to openly discuss. We were proud of our father and his devotion to his duty and his country. We had to accept the fact that for many years our fellow citizens would not share this pride.
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I do know you Gary, and your Father would have been proud of your achievements. I will find Captain John A. Fitch for you and have him contact you if you still are looking for him. Please let me know, as I have no way of knowing whether you have ever found him. Thanks, Jim Wheeler, Mel Jones' cousin. It is the least I can do.
Jim Wheeler |
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I have met his son and his Father would be very proud. I am proud. It inspires me to thank you.
From an SDIT "brother", |
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Even though I never met my grandfather I love him very much and I know that he truly was a great person and was loved very much and was happy that he died serving his country.
From his granddaughter, |
A Note from The Virtual WallThe ambush south of Dak To cost the lives of nine American soldiers:
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