Gone but not forgotten: Remembering those whose lives were lost in Vietnam
By Sherri Onorati for The Leader on May 22, 2014 EDIT: 3/29/2025 – I just realized I left off a few names when this article was originally written. I have included them in this posting, which, unfortunately, brings Tipton County’s total count to 16 Tipton Countians killed during the Vietnam War. Two
PVT2 Edward Odell Kinney
Born in Brighton, Tenn., on March 27, 1932, Edward Odell Kinney grew up working on the family farm. A typical farm boy, Odell left school after the seventh grade to dedicate himself full-time to farming. At 17, a unique earnings opportunity presented itself when he was hired to help construct
OLUNE WAKEFIELD
OLUNE WAKEFIELD Written by grandson David Eaton Olune Wakefield, born on March 17, 1930, to Bob and Gertrude Wakefield in the small town of Drummonds, Tennessee, grew up with dreams of a simple life. Little did he know that destiny had other plans in store for him, ones that would
Winford T. Hadley
Pvt. Winford Thelton Hadley, ser #44020062, was born on May 1, 1926, to Warner Menefee Hadley (1901-1983) and Mabel Edith Warnes Hadley (1908-1989) of Garland. A graduate of Byars-Hall High School in Covington, he entered the Army on August 18, 1944, after graduation, and was sent to Camp Forrest, Tennessee
James Alan Wilks
Specialist Four (SP4) James Alan Wilks (10 Jul 1948-27 Oct 1969) was drafted into the United States Army in October 1968, just a few short months after graduating from Frazier High School in Covington. The son of Ruben H. (1912-2005) and Laura N. Wilks (1930-2016) of Covington, SP4 Wilks began
JAMES PAUL ROSE
Private First Class James Paul Rose was born Aug. 28, 1923, in Brighton, Tenn., and died Jul 6, 2003, in Munford, Tenn. When he was 19 years old, he was drafted into the United States Army on Jan. 27, 1943, at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., and sent to Camp McCoy, Wis.,
Roy E. Bringle
Roy E. Bringle was inducted in to the U.S. Army on December 5, 1950. His basic training was at Fort Riley, Kansas. He served in the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Ripley, Kansas at a rank of E-4, light truck driver. His awards included: badges for expert (rifle), expert (carbine), safe
Pvt Robert “Lee” Lewis
Pvt. Robert “Lee” Lewis (28 Mar 1895 – 12 Mar 1918) Private Lee Lewis was born in Atoka, Tenn., the son of R. E. Lewis and Elizabeth “Bettie” Gladden. He entered service on April 21, 1917 at the age of 22 in Memphis, Tenn., and trained as a field artilleryman.
1st LT Paul Claxton Calhoun
1st Lieutenant Paul Claxton Calhoun (May 15, 1894 – Feb 27, 1918) Paul Claxton Calhoun was born on March 15, 1894, the son of Isaac Richard Calhoun and Sula Claxton in Covington. He entered the United States Army as an Infantry 2nd Lieutenant on May 15, 1917 at the age
CPL. John Wesley Bradshaw
Cpl. John Wesley Bradshaw (15 June 1879 – 2 Dec 1918) Corporal John Wesley Bradshaw was born in Burlison, Tipton County to James W. and Mary E. Bradshaw on June 15, 1879. A farmer in Burlison, he married Jennie Wilson on Jan. 11, 1901, and he was the father of