I am participating in this year's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks writing challenge from Amy Johnson Crow. Each week has an optional writing prompt and this week's writing prompt is Military.Wilton Stroud Pyle was a second cousin of mine who died while serving in the Vietnam War. Wilton was the son of David McAlpin Pyle (1914-1984) and the grandson of David Hunter McAlpin Pyle (1886-1944), the older brother of my grandfather, Charles McAlpin Pyle.
There is an entry for him in the U.S., Vietnam War Military Casualties, 1956-1998, database at Ancestry.com. He died 49 years ago tomorrow (on May 29, 1969). According to this record, his military tour had started just two months before, on March 27.
Additional information from this record states that he was born on April 6, 1946, and lived in Morris, Litchfield County, Connecticut. He served as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has a website which includes the Wall of Faces, a virtual Vietnam Veterans Wall, where photographs of those who died can be found. Wilton Pyle's page includes messages that have been shared there over the past nineteen years.
In addition to his parents and extended family, he left three younger siblings.
His FindAGrave memorial provides additional information about him and includes a photograph of his gravestone, which is at Arlington National Cemetery.
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| Courtesy of photographer "Hope" at FindAGrave |
Wilton
Stroud
Pyle
New York
2d Lieutenant
U.S. Marine Corps
Vietnam
April 6, 1946
May 29, 1969
In memory of the second cousin I never knew.
Feeling sad about the many young lives lost. This is a good way to keep the memory of your cousin alive for future generations to know, along with the Wall of Faces.
ReplyDeleteThe Virtual Vietnam Veterans Wall is a very cool resource and I've been meaning to share this resource for quite awhile. Thanks for reading and commenting.
DeleteThis is a wonderful memorial to your second cousin.
ReplyDeleteDana, thank you for the lovely comment.
DeleteThis is the first time I've seen the Wall of Faces - what a beautiful tribute to those who were lost so they are never forgotten. Interestingly, my ancestors in the 1600-1700's were from Litchfield County.
ReplyDeleteThis virtual tribute to those who lost their lives in Vietnam is so wonderful. I found it a few years ago and I'm glad I remembered this year to share it and the memory of this second cousin. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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