In Memory of…....... Sgt. James Downing Aalund.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
JAMES DOWNING AALUND - Army - SGT - E5
Age: 24
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 11, 1945
From: HOUSTON, TX
Religion: METHODIST
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Einar Skytte Aalund, was born in Denmark and Mother, Helen Dorothy Downing Aalund, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Cordova, Alaska. (Although James was born and grew up in the Heights area of Houston, his family roots stretched far and wide. His mother, Helen Downing Aalund, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Cordova, Alaska. His father, Elnar Skytte Aalund, was born in Denmark. ) Brother, Paul W. Aalund, 71, An interment at the VA Houston National Cemetery on Monday, March 2, 2009 FAG #35287724 (His ashes will be interred at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston where his younger brother, James Downing Aalund, who was buried after being killed in action during the Vietnam War.). A sister, Karen Rosanna Aalund Harrison, Born Sept. 18, 1934 in Houston, Tx.
***** "Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997"
Name: James Downing Aalund
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 11 May 1945
Event Place: Harris, Texas
Gender: Male
Father's Name: Einar Skytte Aalund
Mother's Name: Helen Dorothy Downing
***** Reagan High School - Class of 1963 - Houston, Texas
David L. Hine
***** He was sent to Viet Nam in February of 1970 and assigned to the First Cavalry Division. James was killed less than one month after he arrived in country.
I had gone to Viet Nam myself in July 1969 and did not learn of his death until I returned home in July 1970. I heard the news from another member of our basic training company who, like James, had come from Houston.
Though I give thanks for the honor of having known him, I will never forget James or his sacrifice.
Robert Wren
SGT - E5 - Army - Selective Service-1st Cav Division (AMBL)
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Feb 3, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 28, 1970
In PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Panel 13W - Line 66
Sgt. James Downing Aalund was a ground casualty.
He was killed by artillery, rocket or mortar.
************************************************
Just Another Day
_______________________________________
As told by Jeff Motyka to Medic
It was just another day on Compton. A hot blinding sun and no wind. I had KP,serving chow to grunts and gun crews. We’d been on patrol two weeks–this was our reward.
A resupply bird brought food,ammo and an FNG. No one wanted the job so James Aalund,a drafted Shake-and-Bake,made platoon sergeant his first day in the field.
Later,as the sun went down,I was standing with Tom,Cookie and Sgt. Kelch. This place is beautiful,” said Cookie. “Too bad we’re at war.” A moment later we heard the sound of tubes popping. Thuuup…thuup. Kelch said, “There goes your beautiful day.” He yelled “incoming” and we ran for the bunkers.
The first rounds fell outside the berm. The next one’s hit close. An Loc, Vietnam 1969 walked the next seventy rounds counterclockwise inside the perimeter. Walking them toward us. I asked Tom, “Can this can take a direct hit?” “A mortar round,” he said, “That’s all.” A rocket would kill us,he said,and when the rounds stopped,get set for a ground attack. We were scared. The blasts,the silence,the ground shaking,it was like a bad dream made real.
When the mortars stopped we crawled out the bunker. It was dark out. There was no ground attack but a bunker near us was on fire. And another had been hit. Grunts yelled they had casualties and KIA’s. Sgt. Kelch said, “Go get me a sit rep.”
When I got there a body was being carried out. They said it was the new sergeant; he was probably dead. A round had exploded in front of the bunker as he looked out. The blast tore open his head. Five guys took shrap.
An officer asked,”Where’s your platoon sergeant.” I told him he was dead. “Well then, who’s in charge?” I pointed to Sgt. Kelch,who was putting out the fire.
Later that night Kelch ordered me back to the bunker. “Take a flashlight,” he said. “Make sure the bunker is empty.”
We lay atop the bunker all night,unable to sleep. The next morning I began cleaning out the bunker. Lorenzo helped too.
A week later a memorial service was held for Sgt. James Aalund.
That was the first time I heard his name. Most of the grunts in second platoon didn’t know it. When a new lieutenant arrived I became his RTO.
****************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
JAMES DOWNING AALUND - Army - SGT - E5
Age: 24
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 11, 1945
From: HOUSTON, TX
Religion: METHODIST
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Einar Skytte Aalund, was born in Denmark and Mother, Helen Dorothy Downing Aalund, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Cordova, Alaska. (Although James was born and grew up in the Heights area of Houston, his family roots stretched far and wide. His mother, Helen Downing Aalund, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Cordova, Alaska. His father, Elnar Skytte Aalund, was born in Denmark. ) Brother, Paul W. Aalund, 71, An interment at the VA Houston National Cemetery on Monday, March 2, 2009 FAG #35287724 (His ashes will be interred at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston where his younger brother, James Downing Aalund, who was buried after being killed in action during the Vietnam War.). A sister, Karen Rosanna Aalund Harrison, Born Sept. 18, 1934 in Houston, Tx.
***** "Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997"
Name: James Downing Aalund
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 11 May 1945
Event Place: Harris, Texas
Gender: Male
Father's Name: Einar Skytte Aalund
Mother's Name: Helen Dorothy Downing
***** Reagan High School - Class of 1963 - Houston, Texas
David L. Hine
***** He was sent to Viet Nam in February of 1970 and assigned to the First Cavalry Division. James was killed less than one month after he arrived in country.
I had gone to Viet Nam myself in July 1969 and did not learn of his death until I returned home in July 1970. I heard the news from another member of our basic training company who, like James, had come from Houston.
Though I give thanks for the honor of having known him, I will never forget James or his sacrifice.
Robert Wren
SGT - E5 - Army - Selective Service-1st Cav Division (AMBL)
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Feb 3, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 28, 1970
In PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Panel 13W - Line 66
Sgt. James Downing Aalund was a ground casualty.
He was killed by artillery, rocket or mortar.
************************************************
Just Another Day
_______________________________________
As told by Jeff Motyka to Medic
It was just another day on Compton. A hot blinding sun and no wind. I had KP,serving chow to grunts and gun crews. We’d been on patrol two weeks–this was our reward.
A resupply bird brought food,ammo and an FNG. No one wanted the job so James Aalund,a drafted Shake-and-Bake,made platoon sergeant his first day in the field.
Later,as the sun went down,I was standing with Tom,Cookie and Sgt. Kelch. This place is beautiful,” said Cookie. “Too bad we’re at war.” A moment later we heard the sound of tubes popping. Thuuup…thuup. Kelch said, “There goes your beautiful day.” He yelled “incoming” and we ran for the bunkers.
The first rounds fell outside the berm. The next one’s hit close. An Loc, Vietnam 1969 walked the next seventy rounds counterclockwise inside the perimeter. Walking them toward us. I asked Tom, “Can this can take a direct hit?” “A mortar round,” he said, “That’s all.” A rocket would kill us,he said,and when the rounds stopped,get set for a ground attack. We were scared. The blasts,the silence,the ground shaking,it was like a bad dream made real.
When the mortars stopped we crawled out the bunker. It was dark out. There was no ground attack but a bunker near us was on fire. And another had been hit. Grunts yelled they had casualties and KIA’s. Sgt. Kelch said, “Go get me a sit rep.”
When I got there a body was being carried out. They said it was the new sergeant; he was probably dead. A round had exploded in front of the bunker as he looked out. The blast tore open his head. Five guys took shrap.
An officer asked,”Where’s your platoon sergeant.” I told him he was dead. “Well then, who’s in charge?” I pointed to Sgt. Kelch,who was putting out the fire.
Later that night Kelch ordered me back to the bunker. “Take a flashlight,” he said. “Make sure the bunker is empty.”
We lay atop the bunker all night,unable to sleep. The next morning I began cleaning out the bunker. Lorenzo helped too.
A week later a memorial service was held for Sgt. James Aalund.
That was the first time I heard his name. Most of the grunts in second platoon didn’t know it. When a new lieutenant arrived I became his RTO.
****************************
.
In Memory of…....... Sgt. James Downing Aalund.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
JAMES DOWNING AALUND - Army - SGT - E5
Age: 24
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 11, 1945
From: HOUSTON, TX
Religion: METHODIST
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Einar Skytte Aalund, was born in Denmark and Mother, Helen Dorothy Downing Aalund, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Cordova, Alaska. (Although James was born and grew up in the Heights area of Houston, his family roots stretched far and wide. His mother, Helen Downing Aalund, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Cordova, Alaska. His father, Elnar Skytte Aalund, was born in Denmark. ) Brother, Paul W. Aalund, 71, An interment at the VA Houston National Cemetery on Monday, March 2, 2009 FAG #35287724 (His ashes will be interred at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston where his younger brother, James Downing Aalund, who was buried after being killed in action during the Vietnam War.). A sister, Karen Rosanna Aalund Harrison, Born Sept. 18, 1934 in Houston, Tx.
***** "Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997"
Name: James Downing Aalund
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 11 May 1945
Event Place: Harris, Texas
Gender: Male
Father's Name: Einar Skytte Aalund
Mother's Name: Helen Dorothy Downing
***** Reagan High School - Class of 1963 - Houston, Texas
David L. Hine
***** He was sent to Viet Nam in February of 1970 and assigned to the First Cavalry Division. James was killed less than one month after he arrived in country.
I had gone to Viet Nam myself in July 1969 and did not learn of his death until I returned home in July 1970. I heard the news from another member of our basic training company who, like James, had come from Houston.
Though I give thanks for the honor of having known him, I will never forget James or his sacrifice.
Robert Wren
SGT - E5 - Army - Selective Service-1st Cav Division (AMBL)
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Feb 3, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 28, 1970
In PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Panel 13W - Line 66
Sgt. James Downing Aalund was a ground casualty.
He was killed by artillery, rocket or mortar.
************************************************
Just Another Day
_______________________________________
As told by Jeff Motyka to Medic
It was just another day on Compton. A hot blinding sun and no wind. I had KP,serving chow to grunts and gun crews. We’d been on patrol two weeks–this was our reward.
A resupply bird brought food,ammo and an FNG. No one wanted the job so James Aalund,a drafted Shake-and-Bake,made platoon sergeant his first day in the field.
Later,as the sun went down,I was standing with Tom,Cookie and Sgt. Kelch. This place is beautiful,” said Cookie. “Too bad we’re at war.” A moment later we heard the sound of tubes popping. Thuuup…thuup. Kelch said, “There goes your beautiful day.” He yelled “incoming” and we ran for the bunkers.
The first rounds fell outside the berm. The next one’s hit close. An Loc, Vietnam 1969 walked the next seventy rounds counterclockwise inside the perimeter. Walking them toward us. I asked Tom, “Can this can take a direct hit?” “A mortar round,” he said, “That’s all.” A rocket would kill us,he said,and when the rounds stopped,get set for a ground attack. We were scared. The blasts,the silence,the ground shaking,it was like a bad dream made real.
When the mortars stopped we crawled out the bunker. It was dark out. There was no ground attack but a bunker near us was on fire. And another had been hit. Grunts yelled they had casualties and KIA’s. Sgt. Kelch said, “Go get me a sit rep.”
When I got there a body was being carried out. They said it was the new sergeant; he was probably dead. A round had exploded in front of the bunker as he looked out. The blast tore open his head. Five guys took shrap.
An officer asked,”Where’s your platoon sergeant.” I told him he was dead. “Well then, who’s in charge?” I pointed to Sgt. Kelch,who was putting out the fire.
Later that night Kelch ordered me back to the bunker. “Take a flashlight,” he said. “Make sure the bunker is empty.”
We lay atop the bunker all night,unable to sleep. The next morning I began cleaning out the bunker. Lorenzo helped too.
A week later a memorial service was held for Sgt. James Aalund.
That was the first time I heard his name. Most of the grunts in second platoon didn’t know it. When a new lieutenant arrived I became his RTO.
****************************
.
You may be gone, no longer living on this earth; but you will live on - in the memories of your family and friends. There will always be a part of you living in those who knew you. You will live on because we remember you!
JAMES DOWNING AALUND - Army - SGT - E5
Age: 24
Race: Caucasian
Date of Birth May 11, 1945
From: HOUSTON, TX
Religion: METHODIST
Marital Status: Single - Parents: Father, Einar Skytte Aalund, was born in Denmark and Mother, Helen Dorothy Downing Aalund, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Cordova, Alaska. (Although James was born and grew up in the Heights area of Houston, his family roots stretched far and wide. His mother, Helen Downing Aalund, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Cordova, Alaska. His father, Elnar Skytte Aalund, was born in Denmark. ) Brother, Paul W. Aalund, 71, An interment at the VA Houston National Cemetery on Monday, March 2, 2009 FAG #35287724 (His ashes will be interred at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Houston where his younger brother, James Downing Aalund, who was buried after being killed in action during the Vietnam War.). A sister, Karen Rosanna Aalund Harrison, Born Sept. 18, 1934 in Houston, Tx.
***** "Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997"
Name: James Downing Aalund
Event Type: Birth
Event Date: 11 May 1945
Event Place: Harris, Texas
Gender: Male
Father's Name: Einar Skytte Aalund
Mother's Name: Helen Dorothy Downing
***** Reagan High School - Class of 1963 - Houston, Texas
David L. Hine
***** He was sent to Viet Nam in February of 1970 and assigned to the First Cavalry Division. James was killed less than one month after he arrived in country.
I had gone to Viet Nam myself in July 1969 and did not learn of his death until I returned home in July 1970. I heard the news from another member of our basic training company who, like James, had come from Houston.
Though I give thanks for the honor of having known him, I will never forget James or his sacrifice.
Robert Wren
SGT - E5 - Army - Selective Service-1st Cav Division (AMBL)
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Feb 3, 1970
Casualty was on Feb 28, 1970
In PHUOC LONG, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
ARTILLERY, ROCKET, or MORTAR
Body was recovered
Panel 13W - Line 66
Sgt. James Downing Aalund was a ground casualty.
He was killed by artillery, rocket or mortar.
************************************************
Just Another Day
_______________________________________
As told by Jeff Motyka to Medic
It was just another day on Compton. A hot blinding sun and no wind. I had KP,serving chow to grunts and gun crews. We’d been on patrol two weeks–this was our reward.
A resupply bird brought food,ammo and an FNG. No one wanted the job so James Aalund,a drafted Shake-and-Bake,made platoon sergeant his first day in the field.
Later,as the sun went down,I was standing with Tom,Cookie and Sgt. Kelch. This place is beautiful,” said Cookie. “Too bad we’re at war.” A moment later we heard the sound of tubes popping. Thuuup…thuup. Kelch said, “There goes your beautiful day.” He yelled “incoming” and we ran for the bunkers.
The first rounds fell outside the berm. The next one’s hit close. An Loc, Vietnam 1969 walked the next seventy rounds counterclockwise inside the perimeter. Walking them toward us. I asked Tom, “Can this can take a direct hit?” “A mortar round,” he said, “That’s all.” A rocket would kill us,he said,and when the rounds stopped,get set for a ground attack. We were scared. The blasts,the silence,the ground shaking,it was like a bad dream made real.
When the mortars stopped we crawled out the bunker. It was dark out. There was no ground attack but a bunker near us was on fire. And another had been hit. Grunts yelled they had casualties and KIA’s. Sgt. Kelch said, “Go get me a sit rep.”
When I got there a body was being carried out. They said it was the new sergeant; he was probably dead. A round had exploded in front of the bunker as he looked out. The blast tore open his head. Five guys took shrap.
An officer asked,”Where’s your platoon sergeant.” I told him he was dead. “Well then, who’s in charge?” I pointed to Sgt. Kelch,who was putting out the fire.
Later that night Kelch ordered me back to the bunker. “Take a flashlight,” he said. “Make sure the bunker is empty.”
We lay atop the bunker all night,unable to sleep. The next morning I began cleaning out the bunker. Lorenzo helped too.
A week later a memorial service was held for Sgt. James Aalund.
That was the first time I heard his name. Most of the grunts in second platoon didn’t know it. When a new lieutenant arrived I became his RTO.
****************************
.
Inscription
Sergeant, U.S. Army
Bronze Star Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Family Members
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