On my travels photographing local commonwealth war graves, I came across one or at least a memorial to an American soldier who apparently was killed in Vietnam in 1968. I will try to upload photo but haven't tried this before. Can anyone shed any light on what connection this man has with our area?
I found this link
http://www.virtualwall.org/dj/JonesAP01a.htmIf his grave is in Bebington, then all I can imagine is that he must have emigrated to the USA and had to sign up for military duty.
Then after his death his family brought him back for burial
Thanks. Good detail but pity no place of birth.
I've found him on Ancestry.
He was born in Bebington.
I can't see non uk documents but from the little I can see his residence on his US Army Personnel and Casulties record is Tennessee.
So presumably he emigrated at some point.
Thanks for the info. Nice to see it is respected and left alone. Anyone wishing to see it, it is located in Bebington cemetery, Town Lane and just past the lodge on the right as you go in.
Found these on ancestry.
Vietnam War: U.S. Military Casualties, 1956-1998
about Alan Peter Jones
Name: Alan Peter Jones
Birth Date: 30 Apr 1939
Death Date: 8 Apr 1968
Home City: San Antonio
Home State: Texas
SSN/Service #: 15955507
Death Date: 8 Apr 1968
Casualty Country: Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
Tour Start Date: 10 Dec 1967
Service Branch: Department of the Army
Component: Regular (RA, USN, USAF, USMC, USCG)
Rank: Sergeant
Military Grade: Sergeant
Pay Grade: Specialist Fifth Class (U.S. Army) or Sergeant (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps) or Staff Sergeant (U.S. Air Force) or Grade/Rate Abbreviations With First Column: Any Entry; Second Column: Any Entry; Third Column: 2; Fourth Column: Blank (U.S. Navy, U.S. Coa
Company: Trp B
Regiment: 17th Cav
Batallion: 2nd Sqd
Province: 02
Decoration: Not Available
CN: Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
Service Occupation: Light Weapons Infantry (ARMY)
Data Source: Coffelt Database
and this one
Vietnam War: U.S. Military Casualties, 1956-1998
about Alan Peter Jones
Name: Alan Peter Jones
Birth Date: 30 Apr 1939
Death Date: 8 Apr 1968
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Race: Caucasian (White)
Home City: San Antonio
Home State: Texas
Religion: Roman Catholic
Marital Status: Single (Spouse Not Listed)
SSN/Service #: 15955507
Citizen Status: U.S.
Death Date: 8 Apr 1968
Processed Date: Apr 1968
Casualty Country: Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
Casualty Type: Hostile - Killed
Casualty Reason: Gunshot or Small Arms Fire
Casualty Air: Ground Casualty
Body Status: Body Recovered
Service Branch: Department of the Army
Component: Regular (RA, USN, USAF, USMC, USCG)
Military Grade: Sergeant
Pay Grade: Specialist Fifth Class (U.S. Army) or Sergeant (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps) or Staff Sergeant (U.S. Air Force) or Grade/Rate Abbreviations With First Column: Any Entry; Second Column: Any Entry; Third Column: 2; Fourth Column: Blank (U.S. Navy, U.S. Coa
Province: Military Region 1 - Thua Thien
Length of Service : 01
Service Occupation: Light Weapons Infantry (ARMY)
Data Source: Combat Area Casualties Current File
I did some digging, and managed to contact one of Alan's best friends Joseph Taitano of the 101st Airborne Division.
I'm sure he does not mind me passing on his message to me:
"I was in Bebington Vet Day (11 Nov)
last year and placed the black marker with his picture and awards. also the
flags to include a Guam flag, and my Beret...He and I were very close friends
and I invited him home to Guam just before we shipped to Viet Nam. I was to
accompanied him to England but we were on orders soon after. He mentioned
retiring in Guam, and that's the reason for the Guam flag...Alan was on vacation
in America when he decided to join the American Army..He also served in the
British Army..We met during training and became fast friends. I met with Mr Tom
McCarthy a couple of years ago on the web and then in person to see Alan's
burial Place. He had also tried to contact others who know him..I believed both
his parents and a brother have passed on. Mr McCarthy wrote that he was sick
and could not meet me on my next trip there...He was writing a book on Alan, but
have not heard from him since."Joseph Taitano.
Just thought it would be nice to find out a bit more about him.
Thanks for that. Really interesting and explains a fair bit.