Time Capsule

Born on March 5, 1946, Rocky Bleier grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, before beginning his professional football career. Drafted into the United States Army in 1968, he volunteered for combat duty and deployed to South Vietnam, assigned to Company C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 196th Light Infantry Brigade.
On August 20, 1969, while operating near Hiệp Đức in Quảng Tín Province, Bleier's squad was ambushed in an open rice paddy. Twenty-three-year-old Bleier was shot in the thigh while trying to aid a wounded comrade, and moments later, a hostile gr***de exploded nearby, sending shrapnel through his lower legs and severing part of his right foot. Though doctors told him he would never play football again, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his heroism under fire.
Refusing to accept the end of his career, Bleier underwent years of painful rehabilitation and intense physical training to rebuild his strength. He returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning a starting role at running back and helping lead the team to four Super Bowl victories during their 1970s dynasty. His remarkable journey from a wounded infantryman to a champion athlete remains an inspiring story of resilience in American sports and military history.
His extraordinary perseverance, courage on the battlefield, and triumphant recovery will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on April 15, 1947, Corporal Anthony Da Ponte grew up in Brooklyn, New York, before moving with his family to Freehold, New Jersey. A skilled craftsman and avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and riding motorcycles, he graduated from Southern Freehold Regional High School in 1966 and worked at the Brockway Glass Company. He was drafted into the United States Army, training as a light weapons infantryman before deploying to South Vietnam, assigned to Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, 9th Infantry Division ("Black Knights").
Operating in the heavily contested terrain of Quảng Trị Province, Da Ponte served aboard armored cavalry assault vehicles, conducting reconnaissance, convoy es**rt, and search-and-destroy operations along critical supply routes. On May 28, 1968, twenty-one-year-old Da Ponte was participating in an armored sweep through hostile territory when his unit was suddenly engaged by enemy forces.
During the intense hostile action, Corporal Da Ponte sustained fatal multiple fragmentation wounds from enemy explosive fire and passed d*ad on the battlefield at twenty-one years old. His quiet strength, devotion to his fellow soldiers, and supreme sacrifice remain a proud chapter in New Jersey's military history. He is permanently honored on Panel 64W, Line 7 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
His steady courage under fire, deep love for his family, and ultimate sacrifice will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on August 16, 1949, Lance Corporal Gary Allen Cox grew up in Selma, California, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Trained as a mortarman, he carried the responsibility of providing critical indirect fire support for front-line infantry operations. He deployed to South Vietnam, assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division ("Hell in a Helmet").
Operating deep in the rugged mountains of Quảng Trị Province, southeast of Khe Sanh, Cox participated in hazardous combat sweeps along heavily fortified enemy transit routes. On June 5, 1969, nineteen-year-old Cox was engaged in a tactical movement through dense jungle terrain when his unit came under intense hostile small-arms fire from entrenched enemy positions.
In the ensuing firefight, Lance Corporal Cox stood firm alongside his fellow Marines, laying down fire support until he was struck by hostile small-arms fire. He sustained fatal wounds in the engagement and passed d*ad on the battlefield at nineteen years old. His steadfast courage under fire, technical skill as a mortarman, and ultimate sacrifice remain an enduring legacy of Marine Corps valor. He is permanently honored on Panel 23W, Line 81 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
His frontline courage, unwavering loyalty to his brothers in arms, and supreme sacrifice will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on January 23, 1946, Corporal Robert Kenneth Brice grew up in Plains, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Trained in armored warfare, tank operations, and heavy weapons tactics, he deployed to South Vietnam, assigned to Company C, 3rd Tank Battalion, 3rd Marine Division.
Operating in Quảng Trị Province near the Demilitarized Zone, Brice provided vital armored support, mobile firepower, and perimeter defense in heavily contested terrain. On May 19, 1967, twenty-one-year-old Brice was stationed with his unit when their position was suddenly targeted by a massive barrage of incoming enemy artillery, rockets, and mortars.
Amid the heavy maelstrom of explosions, Corporal Brice stood his ground to protect his position and fellow Marines, sustaining fatal wounds from the incoming artillery shell fragments. He passed d*ad on the battlefield at twenty-one years old. His unwavering bravery under intense bombardment and dedicated service to the 3rd Tank Battalion remain a proud legacy of honor. He is permanently honored on Panel 20E, Line 49 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
His courage under fire, iron resolve, and supreme sacrifice will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on December 28, 1949, Corporal Toby Lee Jackson grew up in China, Jefferson County, Texas, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Trained as an infantry rifleman, he stepped forward to serve during the height of the Vietnam War. He deployed to South Vietnam on February 27, 1968, assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron 1, Marine Wing Headquarters Group 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Amphibious Force.
Operating out of Quảng Nam Province, Jackson provided essential support, security, and tactical continuity for aviation and headquarters operations in a hazardous combat theater. He performed his duties with steady professionalism and pride throughout his tour.
Tragically, on July 12, 1969, nineteen-year-old Jackson lost his life in Quảng Nam Province as a result of a non-hostile fi***rm incident while serving in theater. He passed d*ad at nineteen years old, far from home in the service of his country. His sacrifice in uniform, whether in direct battle or amid the pervasive hazards of a war zone, remains a sacred part of our nation's military legacy. He is permanently honored on Panel 21W, Line 89 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
His dedicated service to the United States Marine Corps, quiet reliability, and ultimate sacrifice will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on August 1, 1946, Corporal Angel Luis Diaz grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Trained as an infantry rifleman, he stepped forward during a critical phase of the war, arriving in South Vietnam on May 30, 1967. He was assigned to 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
Operating across the heavily contested terrain of Quảng Nam Province, Diaz engaged in daily tactical patrols and search-and-destroy operations against hostile forces. On October 28, 1967, twenty-one-year-old Diaz was participating in ground operations when his unit came under intense enemy engagement.
During the firefight, Corporal Diaz was gravely wounded by hostile fragmentation fire while standing shoulder to shoulder with his platoon. Though he fought bravely for his life, he succumbed to his injuries and passed d*ad from his multiple fragmentation wounds at twenty-one years old. His steadfast courage under fire, dedicated service to the 1st Marine Division, and ultimate sacrifice represent an enduring legacy of honor. He is permanently honored on Panel 28E, Line 89 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
His frontline valor, unwavering commitment to his fellow Marines, and supreme sacrifice will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on November 21, 1948, Private First Class Charles Randell Cornett—known affectionately as "Randy" to family and friends—grew up in Stroud, Oklahoma, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Trained as an infantry rifleman, he deployed to South Vietnam in February 1968, assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division.
Arriving at the height of the war's combat intensity, Cornett participated in rigorous field operations, patrols, and perimeter security missions throughout Quảng Trị Province. On August 25, 1968, nineteen-year-old Cornett was conducting combat operations with his unit when they encountered a hostile explosive device in the field.
During the mission, the enemy explosive device detonated nearby, striking Private First Class Cornett with severe blast fragments. He sustained fatal injuries in the detonation and passed d*ad on the battlefield at nineteen years old, having served barely six months in theater. His selfless service, sacrifice in defense of his country, and memory endure as a proud chapter in Oklahoma's military history. He is permanently honored on Panel 46W, Line 22 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
His frontline courage, dedicated service to the 1st Marine Division, and supreme sacrifice will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on June 3, 1943, Sergeant Robert Emmet O’Malley grew up in Woodside, Queens, New York, before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Trained as an infantry squad leader, he deployed to South Vietnam during the war’s early escalations, assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division.
On August 18, 1968, during Operation Starlite near the village of An Cường 2 in Quảng Ngãi Province, twenty-two-year-old O’Malley led his squad into an assault against a heavily fortified, entrenched enemy force. When intense automatic weapons fire pinned down his unit, Sergeant O’Malley leapt over a trench, single-handedly neutralizing an enemy trench line and personally eliminating eight hostile fighters to clear a path for his Marines.
While shielding his squad and helping evacuate wounded comrades, O’Malley was struck by shrapnel and enemy fire, sustaining three separate wounds. Refusing medical evacuation, he continued to direct defensive fire and cover his men until every wounded Marine was safely loaded onto evacuation helicopters. His legendary valor made him the first Marine in the Vietnam War to be awarded the Medal of Honor. He later returned home to New York, leaving behind an indelible legacy of leadership under fire.
His heroic courage in battle, fierce devotion to his squad, and extraordinary sacrifice set a standard of valor that will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on September 19, 1948, Private First Class Gary P. Worrell grew up in Placerville, California, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wes C. Worrell. Filled with the strength and resolve of youth, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to serve his country. He deployed to South Vietnam, assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division, operating near the strategic base at Đà Nẵng in Quảng Nam Province.
Serving in a theater characterized by harsh conditions and intense operational pressure, Worrell provided vital support within his unit. While on duty near Đà Nẵng, eighteen-year-old Worrell fell severely ill and was immediately admitted to a military medical facility for emergency care.
Despite the exhaustive efforts of medical personnel, Private First Class Worrell succumbed to complications arising from a ruptured spleen on April 17, 1967. He passed d*ad at eighteen years old, far from his California home. Though recorded as a non-hostile loss, his death represents an equal measure of sacrifice, serving as a solemn reminder of the inherent dangers and physical burdens borne by young service members in a war zone. He is permanently honored on Panel 18E, Line 48 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
His willing service in uniform, quiet dedication to the Marine Corps, and ultimate sacrifice will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.

Born on September 2, 1950, Corporal Keith Edward Gibson grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before enlisting in the United States Army. Trained as an infantry rifleman, he deployed to South Vietnam on December 14, 1968, shortly after celebrating his eighteenth birthday. He was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division ("Red Warriors").
Operating in the Central Highlands of Kontum Province, Gibson participated in search-and-clear missions, jungle reconnaissance, and perimeter defense near critical firebases like LZ Nicole. On May 27, 1969, eighteen-year-old Gibson was conducting tactical operations near the Kontum River when his unit came under sudden, intense hostile attack featuring heavy small-arms fire and explosive rounds.
During the fierce exchange of fire, Corporal Gibson stood his ground alongside his fellow soldiers. He sustained fatal wounds from incoming hostile fire and explosive blasts, passing d*ad on the battlefield at just eighteen years old, after serving five months in country. His youth, steadfast resolve under fire, and supreme sacrifice reflect the highest traditions of American military service. He is permanently honored on Panel 24W, Line 80 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
His frontline courage, devotion to the Red Warriors, and ultimate sacrifice will forever be remembered by a grateful nation.
God bless him and his family. God bless all our heroes.