Written By: Ben Cosgrove

In June 1969, LIFE magazine published a feature that remains as moving and, in some quarters, as controversial as it was when it intensified a nation’s soul-searching 45 years ago. On the cover, a young man’s face the very model of middle-America’s “boy next door” along with 11 stark words: “The Faces of the American Dead in Vietnam: One Week’s Toll.” Inside, across 10 funereal pages, LIFE published picture after picture and name after name of 242 young men killed in seven days halfway around the world “in connection with the conflict in Vietnam.”

To no one’s surprise, the public’s response was immediate, and visceral. Some readers expressed amazement, in light of the thousands of American deaths suffered in a war with no end in sight, that it took so long for LIFE to produce something as dramatic and pointed as “One Week’s Toll.” Others were outraged that the magazine was, as one reader saw it, “supporting the antiwar demonstrators who are traitors to this country.” Still others perhaps the vast majority were quietly and disconsolately devastated.

[Read readers’ responses below, and see how ‘One Week’s Dead’ looked when it ran in LIFE]

Here, LIFE.com republishes every picture and every name that originally appeared in that extraordinary 1969 feature. Below is the text, in full, that not only accompanied portraits of those killed, but also explained why LIFE chose to publish “One Week’s Dead” when it did and in the manner that it did.

From the June 27, 1969, issue of LIFE:

The faces shown on the next pages are the faces of American men killed in the words of the official announcement of their deaths “in connection with the conflict in Vietnam.” The names, 242 of them, were released on May 28 through June 3 [1969], a span of no special significance except that it includes Memorial Day. The numbers of the dead are average for any seven-day period during this stage of the war.

It is not the intention of this article to speak for the dead. We cannot tell with any precision what they thought of the political currents which drew them across the world. From the letters of some, it is possible to tell they felt strongly that they should be in Vietnam, that they had great sympathy for the Vietnamese people and were appalled at their enormous suffering. Some had voluntarily extended their tours of combat duty; some were desperate to come home. Their families provided most of these photographs, and many expressed their own feelings that their sons and husbands died in a necessary cause. Yet in a time when the numbers of Americans killed in this war 36,000 though far less than the Vietnamese losses, have exceeded the dead in the Korean War, when the nation continues week after week to be numbed by a three-digit statistic which is translated to direct anguish in hundreds of homes all over the country, we must pause to look into the faces. More than we must know how many, we must know who. The faces of one week’s dead, unknown but to families and friends, are suddenly recognized by all in this gallery of young American eyes.

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Here are some of the reactions from readers, published in the August 18, 1969, issue of LIFE an issue in which the entire Letters section of the magazine was given over to responses to “One Week’s Dead”:

“Your story was the most eloquent and meaningful statement on the wastefulness and stupidity of war I have ever read.” From a reader in California

“Certainly these tragic young men were far superior to the foreign policy they were called upon to defend.” From a U.S. Marine Corps Captain (resigned)

“I feel you are supporting the antiwar demonstrators who are traitors to this country. You are helping them and therefore belong to this group.” From a reader in Texas

“I cried for those [f500link]Southern[/f500link] black soldiers. What did they die for? Tar paper shacks, malnutrition, unemployment and degradation?” From a reader in Ohio

“While looking at the photographs I was shocked to see the smiling face of someone I used to know. He was only 19 years old. I guess I never realized that 19-year-olds have to die.” From a reader in Georgia

“I felt I was staring into the eyes of the 11 troopers from my platoon who were killed while fighting for a cause they couldn’t understand.” From a Marine second lieutenant in New Jersey who commanded a rifle platoon in Vietnam

LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969, featuring a portrait of U.S. Army specialist William C. Gearing, Jr., one of 242 American servicemen killed in a single week of fighting during the Vietnam War.

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Joseph L. Rhodes, 22, Marines, L. Cpl., Memphis, Tenn.

Joseph L. Rhodes, 22, Marines, L. Cpl., Memphis, Tenn.

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Michael C. Volheim, 20, Army, SP4, Hayward, Calif.

Michael C. Volheim, 20, Army, SP4, Hayward, Calif.

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Craig E. Yates, 18, Army, Pfc., Sparta, Mich.

Craig E. Yates, 18, Army, Pfc., Sparta, Mich.

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Ramon L. Vazquez Nieves, 21, Army, Pfc., Puetro Nuevo, P.R.

Ramon L. Vazquez Nieves, 21, Army, Pfc., Puetro Nuevo, P.R.

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Robert E. Layman, 20, Army, WO1, Poquonock, Conn.

Robert E. Layman, 20, Army, WO1, Poquonock, Conn.

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Calvin R. Patrick, 18, Army, Pfc., Houston, Texas

Calvin R. Patrick, 18, Army, Pfc., Houston, Texas

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Valentine Dwornik, 20, Army, SP4, Detroit, Mich.

Valentine Dwornik, 20, Army, SP4, Detroit, Mich.

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Bruce Saunders, 21, Army, 2nd Lt., Queens, N.Y.

Bruce Saunders, 21, Army, 2nd Lt., Queens, N.Y.

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Robert J. Rosenow, 20, Army, Pfc., La Farge, Wis.

Robert J. Rosenow, 20, Army, Pfc., La Farge, Wis.

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John C. Pape, 25, Army, Capt., Amityville, N.Y.

John C. Pape, 25, Army, Capt., Amityville, N.Y.

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William L. Alexander, 19, Army, SP4, Flint, Mich.

William L. Alexander, 19, Army, SP4, Flint, Mich.

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Jose M. Galarza-Quinones, 21, Army, Pfc., Hato Rey, P.R.

Jose M. Galarza-Quinones, 21, Army, Pfc., Hato Rey, P.R.

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Roy E. Clark, Army, Pfc., Culloden, W. Va.

Roy E. Clark, Army, Pfc., Culloden, W. Va.

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James P. Hickey, 19, Marines, Pfc., West Quincy, Mass.

James P. Hickey, 19, Marines, Pfc., West Quincy, Mass.

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John L. Rosemond, 21, Army, Pfc., Dallas, Texas

John L. Rosemond, 21, Army, Pfc., Dallas, Texas

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Mario Lamelza, 21, Army, Pfc., Philadelphia, Pa.

Mario Lamelza, 21, Army, Pfc., Philadelphia, Pa.

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David Tessmer, 20, Army, Pfc., Wausau, Wis.

David Tessmer, 20, Army, Pfc., Wausau, Wis.

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Johnnie L. Brigman, 23, Army, Pvt., North, S.C.

Johnnie L. Brigman, 23, Army, Pvt., North, S.C.

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Gary A. Wallace, 19, Army, Pfc., Louisville, Ky.

Gary A. Wallace, 19, Army, Pfc., Louisville, Ky.

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Cleveland Browning, 22, Army, Pfc., Miami, Fla.

Cleveland Browning, 22, Army, Pfc., Miami, Fla.

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Charles C. Fleek, 21, Army, Sgt., Petersburg, Ky.

Charles C. Fleek, 21, Army, Sgt., Petersburg, Ky.

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James Patrick Francis, 22, Army, S/Sgt., Napa, Calif.

James Patrick Francis, 22, Army, S/Sgt., Napa, Calif.

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Joe E. Bragg, 20, Army, SP4, Versailles, Ky.

Joe E. Bragg, 20, Army, SP4, Versailles, Ky.

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William C. Gearing Jr., 20, Army, SP5, Rochester, N.Y.

William C. Gearing Jr., 20, Army, SP5, Rochester, N.Y.

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Gary D. Carter, 19, Marines, Cpl., Tyler, Texas

Gary D. Carter, 19, Marines, Cpl., Tyler, Texas

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Matthew T. Lozano Jr., 21, Army, Pfc., San Antonio, Texas

Matthew T. Lozano Jr., 21, Army, Pfc., San Antonio, Texas

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Winston O. Smith, 24, Army, Pfc., Madisonville, Tenn.

Winston O. Smith, 24, Army, Pfc., Madisonville, Tenn.

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Robert B. Read, 24, Army, Pfc., Hamden, Conn.

Robert B. Read, 24, Army, Pfc., Hamden, Conn.

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Mark J. Haverland Jr., 21, Army, Sgt., Poca, W. Va.

Mark J. Haverland Jr., 21, Army, Sgt., Poca, W. Va.

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Ralph J. Mears Jr., 19, Army, SP4, Norfolk, Va.

Ralph J. Mears Jr., 19, Army, SP4, Norfolk, Va.

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Philip W. Strout, 21, Army, SP4, So. Portland, Maine

Philip W. Strout, 21, Army, SP4, So. Portland, Maine

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John A. Gillen, 25, Army, SP4, Broadville, Ill.

John A. Gillen, 25, Army, SP4, Broadville, Ill.

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Edward O'Donovan, 19, Marine, Pfc., Chicago, Ill.

Edward O’Donovan, 19, Marine, Pfc., Chicago, Ill.

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Michael D. Melton, 20, Army, SP4, Little Rock, Ark.

Michael D. Melton, 20, Army, SP4, Little Rock, Ark.

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Melvin Green Jr., 31, Army, S/Sgt., Manhattan, Kan.

Melvin Green Jr., 31, Army, S/Sgt., Manhattan, Kan.

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Gary C. Fassel, 20, Army, Pfc., Buffalo, N.Y.

Gary C. Fassel, 20, Army, Pfc., Buffalo, N.Y.

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John W. Kirchner, 19, Marines, Pfc., La Crosse, Wis.

John W. Kirchner, 19, Marines, Pfc., La Crosse, Wis.

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Keith B. Janke, 26, Army, Sgt., Poplar, Wis.

Keith B. Janke, 26, Army, Sgt., Poplar, Wis.

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William L. Anderson, 18, Army, Sgt., Templeton, Pa.

William L. Anderson, 18, Army, Sgt., Templeton, Pa.

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David L. Mills, 22, Army, SP4, Decatur, Ill.

David L. Mills, 22, Army, SP4, Decatur, Ill.

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Carl R. Martin, 26, Army, SP5, Rapid City, S. Dak.

Carl R. Martin, 26, Army, SP5, Rapid City, S. Dak.

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Daniel L. Pucci, 22, Marines, Cpl., Berea, Ohio

Daniel L. Pucci, 22, Marines, Cpl., Berea, Ohio

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Howe K. Clark Jr., 22, Army, S/Sgt., Rockdale, Texas

Howe K. Clark Jr., 22, Army, S/Sgt., Rockdale, Texas

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Thomas P. Jackson Jr., 23, Army, Pfc., Westbury, N.Y.

Thomas P. Jackson Jr., 23, Army, Pfc., Westbury, N.Y.

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Clifford Haynes Jr., 19, Marines, Pfc., Carnegie, Pa.

Clifford Haynes Jr., 19, Marines, Pfc., Carnegie, Pa.

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Scott E. Saylor, 22, Army, SP4, King of Prussia, Pa.

Scott E. Saylor, 22, Army, SP4, King of Prussia, Pa.

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David R. Mann, 20, Army, SP4, Earlville, Ill.

David R. Mann, 20, Army, SP4, Earlville, Ill.

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Henry R. Hausman Jr., 19, Army, Pfc., Hilliard, Ohio

Henry R. Hausman Jr., 19, Army, Pfc., Hilliard, Ohio

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Robert J. Randall, 19, Army, Pfc., Miami, Fla.

Robert J. Randall, 19, Army, Pfc., Miami, Fla.

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David F. Bukowski, 20, Army, SP4, West Islip, N.Y.

David F. Bukowski, 20, Army, SP4, West Islip, N.Y.

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John M. Vollmerhausen Jr., 18, Army, Pfc., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

John M. Vollmerhausen Jr., 18, Army, Pfc., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

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David A. Hargens, 19, Army, Pfc., Nickerson, Neb.

David A. Hargens, 19, Army, Pfc., Nickerson, Neb.

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Matthew J. Baurle, 20, Marines, L. Cpl., Gloversville, N.Y.

Matthew J. Baurle, 20, Marines, L. Cpl., Gloversville, N.Y.

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Richard F. DuBois, 20, Marines, L. Cpl., New Orleans, La.

Richard F. DuBois, 20, Marines, L. Cpl., New Orleans, La.

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Duane C. Bowen, 20, Army, SP4, Ramona, Calif.

Duane C. Bowen, 20, Army, SP4, Ramona, Calif.

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John N. McCarthy, 20, Army, SP4, Glen Cove, N.Y.

John N. McCarthy, 20, Army, SP4, Glen Cove, N.Y.

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Andrew W. Rice Jr., 20, Navy, GMG3, Bedford, Pa.

Andrew W. Rice Jr., 20, Navy, GMG3, Bedford, Pa.

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Byrle B. Bailey, 19, Marines, Pfc., Omaha, Neb.

Byrle B. Bailey, 19, Marines, Pfc., Omaha, Neb.

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Charles P. Smith Jr., 20, Army, Pfc., Richmond, Va.

Charles P. Smith Jr., 20, Army, Pfc., Richmond, Va.

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Robert H. Carter Jr., 35, Army, Lt. Col., Morganton, N.C.

Robert H. Carter Jr., 35, Army, Lt. Col., Morganton, N.C.

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Stephen L. McCarvel, 19, Army, Sgt., Great Falls, Mont.

Stephen L. McCarvel, 19, Army, Sgt., Great Falls, Mont.

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Jackie D. Bass, 21, Army, Pfc., Cochran, Ga.

Jackie D. Bass, 21, Army, Pfc., Cochran, Ga.

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William A. Evans, 20, Army, Sgt., Milwaukee, Wis.

William A. Evans, 20, Army, Sgt., Milwaukee, Wis.

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Richard L. Patterson, 25, Army, 2nd Lt., Harriman, Tenn.

Richard L. Patterson, 25, Army, 2nd Lt., Harriman, Tenn.

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Robert W. Getz, 19, Army, Pfc., Decatur, Ill.

Robert W. Getz, 19, Army, Pfc., Decatur, Ill.

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James Boston Jr., 20, Army, Pfc., Gainesville, Fla.

James Boston Jr., 20, Army, Pfc., Gainesville, Fla.

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Michael F. May, 22, Army, SP4, Vassar, Mich.

Michael F. May, 22, Army, SP4, Vassar, Mich.

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Freddie Lee Coffman, 20, Army, Pfc., Wardensville, W. Va.

Freddie Lee Coffman, 20, Army, Pfc., Wardensville, W. Va.

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Milton S. Johnson, 20, Army, Pfc., Savannah, Ga.

Milton S. Johnson, 20, Army, Pfc., Savannah, Ga.

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Ophrey A. Irvin, 25, Army, SP4, Chillicothe, Ohio

Ophrey A. Irvin, 25, Army, SP4, Chillicothe, Ohio

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Thomas W. Myers, 26, Army, Pfc., Middlesex, N.J.

Thomas W. Myers, 26, Army, Pfc., Middlesex, N.J.

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Gary A. Neavor, 25, Army, SP4, Davenport, Iowa

Gary A. Neavor, 25, Army, SP4, Davenport, Iowa

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Clarance Taylor, 25, Army, Pfc., Greensville, Ala.

Clarance Taylor, 25, Army, Pfc., Greensville, Ala.

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Thomas F. Barth, 18, Army, Pfc., Lakewood, Calif.

Thomas F. Barth, 18, Army, Pfc., Lakewood, Calif.

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Ralph A. Vitch, 20, Army, SP4, Tampa, Fla.

Ralph A. Vitch, 20, Army, SP4, Tampa, Fla.

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Patrick M. Hagerty, 19, Army, SP4, Youngstown, Ohio

Patrick M. Hagerty, 19, Army, SP4, Youngstown, Ohio

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Albert J. Cartledge III, 23, Marines, Cpl., Dallas, Texas

Albert J. Cartledge III, 23, Marines, Cpl., Dallas, Texas

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James Drew, 20, Army, SP4, Kansas City, Mo.

James Drew, 20, Army, SP4, Kansas City, Mo.

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Peter S. Borsay, 24, Army, Pfc., Salt Lake City, Utah

Peter S. Borsay, 24, Army, Pfc., Salt Lake City, Utah

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Robert C. Yates, 18, Army, Pfc., Hondo, Texas

Robert C. Yates, 18, Army, Pfc., Hondo, Texas

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Henry L. MacArthur, 18, Army, Pfc., Fuquay Varina, N.C.

Henry L. MacArthur, 18, Army, Pfc., Fuquay Varina, N.C.

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Ronald E. Morgan, 22, Army, Pfc., San Diego, Calif.

Ronald E. Morgan, 22, Army, Pfc., San Diego, Calif.

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Rudy A. Carnley, 23, Army, SP4, Lake Wales, Fla.

Rudy A. Carnley, 23, Army, SP4, Lake Wales, Fla.

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Barry L. Unfried, 20, Marines, Pfc., Oroville, Calif.

Barry L. Unfried, 20, Marines, Pfc., Oroville, Calif.

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Gary R. Clodfelter, 20, Army, SP4, High Point, N.C.

Gary R. Clodfelter, 20, Army, SP4, High Point, N.C.

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Larry D. Muller, 18, Marines, Pfc., Ojai, Calif.

Larry D. Muller, 18, Marines, Pfc., Ojai, Calif.

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James A. Wright, 21, Army, SP4, Boring, Ore.

James A. Wright, 21, Army, SP4, Boring, Ore.

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William W. Olsen, 22, Army, Sgt., Pocatello, Idaho

William W. Olsen, 22, Army, Sgt., Pocatello, Idaho

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Robert F. Rose, 19, Army, SP4, Ashland, Ore.

Robert F. Rose, 19, Army, SP4, Ashland, Ore.

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Michael K.L. Dixon, 19, Army, Pfc., Hawthorne, Calif.

Michael K.L. Dixon, 19, Army, Pfc., Hawthorne, Calif.

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Edward T. Kiezkowski, 20, Army, SP4, Butler, Pa.

Edward T. Kiezkowski, 20, Army, SP4, Butler, Pa.

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David J. Ewing, 20, Army, SP5, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

David J. Ewing, 20, Army, SP5, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

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Kenneth D. Pettigrew, 19, Army, Pfc., Redding, Calif.

Kenneth D. Pettigrew, 19, Army, Pfc., Redding, Calif.

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Warren Nix, 26, Army, Pfc., Tuscon, Ariz.

Warren Nix, 26, Army, Pfc., Tuscon, Ariz.

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Terry D. Clark, 18, Army, Pfc., Wallace, N.C.

Terry D. Clark, 18, Army, Pfc., Wallace, N.C.

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Jimmy W. Phipps, 18, Marines, Pfc., Culver City, Calif.

Jimmy W. Phipps, 18, Marines, Pfc., Culver City, Calif.

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Curtis Breedlove, 31, Army, 2nd Lt., Bryson City, N.C.

Curtis Breedlove, 31, Army, 2nd Lt., Bryson City, N.C.

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Forrest L. Smith, 27, Army, S/Sgt., Columbus, Ga.

Forrest L. Smith, 27, Army, S/Sgt., Columbus, Ga.

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Isaac Sapp, 21, Marines, Pfc., Williston, S.C.

Isaac Sapp, 21, Marines, Pfc., Williston, S.C.

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David L. Tiffany, 19, Army, SP5, Riverside, Calif.

David L. Tiffany, 19, Army, SP5, Riverside, Calif.

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William W. Smith, 21, Army, Pfc., King City, Mo.

William W. Smith, 21, Army, Pfc., King City, Mo.

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Calvin E. Cooper, 20, Marines, Pfc., Kingstree, S.C.

Calvin E. Cooper, 20, Marines, Pfc., Kingstree, S.C.

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Gary R. Guest, 22, Marines, Cpl., Dorchester, Mass.

Gary R. Guest, 22, Marines, Cpl., Dorchester, Mass.

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Thomas R. Bliss, 20, Marines, L. Cpl., York, Pa.

Thomas R. Bliss, 20, Marines, L. Cpl., York, Pa.

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Clovis L. May, 24, Army, Sgt., Deming, N. Mex.

Clovis L. May, 24, Army, Sgt., Deming, N. Mex.

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Dennis L. Babcock, 19, Army, Pfc., Pacific Grove, Calif.

Dennis L. Babcock, 19, Army, Pfc., Pacific Grove, Calif.

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Donald J. Deevers, 19, Army, Pfc., Hinton, Okla.

Donald J. Deevers, 19, Army, Pfc., Hinton, Okla.

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Douglas J. Sommer, 18, Army, Pfc., Kearns, Utah

Douglas J. Sommer, 18, Army, Pfc., Kearns, Utah

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Joe T. Conkle, 25, Army, 1st Lt., Hampton, Ga.

Joe T. Conkle, 25, Army, 1st Lt., Hampton, Ga.

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Elmer E. Fields, 20, Army, Pvt., Fairfax, Okla.

Elmer E. Fields, 20, Army, Pvt., Fairfax, Okla.

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Jeffrey A. Richardson, 20, Army, Pfc., Red Lion, Pa.

Jeffrey A. Richardson, 20, Army, Pfc., Red Lion, Pa.

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Russel Evans, 20, Army, Pfc., Sylvania, Ga.

Russel Evans, 20, Army, Pfc., Sylvania, Ga.

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Emmett L. Davis, 18, Army, Pfc., Lakeland, Fla.

Emmett L. Davis, 18, Army, Pfc., Lakeland, Fla.

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Charles A. Jones, 29, Army, Sfc., Modesto, Calif.

Charles A. Jones, 29, Army, Sfc., Modesto, Calif.

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John H. Platt, 20, Army, Pfc., Early, Iowa

John H. Platt, 20, Army, Pfc., Early, Iowa

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Chris R. Martinez, 21, Army, Cpl., Alameda, Calif.

Chris R. Martinez, 21, Army, Cpl., Alameda, Calif.

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James M. Leonard, 20, Army, Sgt., Edmond, Okla.

James M. Leonard, 20, Army, Sgt., Edmond, Okla.

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Michael M. Hatzell, 19, Army, Pfc., San Jose, Calif.

Michael M. Hatzell, 19, Army, Pfc., San Jose, Calif.

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Thomas E. Hays, 20, Army, WO, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Thomas E. Hays, 20, Army, WO, Oklahoma City, Okla.

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Iran C. Brown, 19, Marines, L. Cpl., Roanoke, Va.

Iran C. Brown, 19, Marines, L. Cpl., Roanoke, Va.

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Ralford J. Jackson, 20, Marines, Pfc., Tuba City, Ariz.

Ralford J. Jackson, 20, Marines, Pfc., Tuba City, Ariz.

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Timothy K.P. Foster, 18, Marines, Pvt., Honolulu, Hawaii

Timothy K.P. Foster, 18, Marines, Pvt., Honolulu, Hawaii

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Virgil V. Hamilton, 20, Army, SP4, Brooksville, Fla.

Virgil V. Hamilton, 20, Army, SP4, Brooksville, Fla.

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Donny R. Lawson, 21, Marines, L. Cpl., Grandview, Wash.

Donny R. Lawson, 21, Marines, L. Cpl., Grandview, Wash.

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Clarence Creaghead, 21, Army, SP4, Detroit, Mich.

Clarence Creaghead, 21, Army, SP4, Detroit, Mich.

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Keith A. Kahlstorf, 20, Marines, Pfc., Britt, Iowa

Keith A. Kahlstorf, 20, Marines, Pfc., Britt, Iowa

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Michael A. Powell, 19, Marines, L. Cpt., Atlanta, Ga.

Michael A. Powell, 19, Marines, L. Cpt., Atlanta, Ga.

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Byron B. Bowden, 21, Army, SP4, Arcata, Calif.

Byron B. Bowden, 21, Army, SP4, Arcata, Calif.

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Chris M. Pyle, 21, Navy, HM2, Hardesty, Okla.

Chris M. Pyle, 21, Navy, HM2, Hardesty, Okla.

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Patrick M. Dixon, 23, Army, 1st Lt., Dixon, Ill.

Patrick M. Dixon, 23, Army, 1st Lt., Dixon, Ill.

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Joseph C. Chisholm, 24, Army, SP4, Union Lake, Mich.

Joseph C. Chisholm, 24, Army, SP4, Union Lake, Mich.

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Robert A. Pitts, 21, Army, Pfc., Galveston, Texas

Robert A. Pitts, 21, Army, Pfc., Galveston, Texas

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Albert O. Nelson Jr., 20, Marines, 2nd Lt., Alexandria, Va.

Albert O. Nelson Jr., 20, Marines, 2nd Lt., Alexandria, Va.

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Gary McCollough, 20, Army, Pfc., Charlotte, N.C.

Gary McCollough, 20, Army, Pfc., Charlotte, N.C.

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Charles D. Ervin, 18, Marines, Pfc., Lamont, Okla.

Charles D. Ervin, 18, Marines, Pfc., Lamont, Okla.

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James Titmas III, 19, Army, Pfc., Glendale, Calif.

James Titmas III, 19, Army, Pfc., Glendale, Calif.

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William J. Thornhill, 20, Army, Pvt., Baltimore, Md.

William J. Thornhill, 20, Army, Pvt., Baltimore, Md.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

John M. Randall, 20, Army, SP4, Phoenix, Ariz.

John M. Randall, 20, Army, SP4, Phoenix, Ariz.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Max Lisenby, 21, Marines, Cpl., Lawton, Okla.

Max Lisenby, 21, Marines, Cpl., Lawton, Okla.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Gail G. Sanderson, 19, Marines, Pvt., Anthon, Iowa

Gail G. Sanderson, 19, Marines, Pvt., Anthon, Iowa

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Robert P. Scibilia, 21, Army, SP4, Nashua, N.H.

Robert P. Scibilia, 21, Army, SP4, Nashua, N.H.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

William A. Seigle, 20, Army, Pfc., Sapulpa, Okla.

William A. Seigle, 20, Army, Pfc., Sapulpa, Okla.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Gerald W. Posten, 20, Army, Pfc., Placerville, Calif.

Gerald W. Posten, 20, Army, Pfc., Placerville, Calif.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Howard S. Hill, 22, Army, Sgt., Irwin, Pa.

Howard S. Hill, 22, Army, Sgt., Irwin, Pa.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

David W. Kinney, 20, Army, Pfc., Charleston, W. Va.

David W. Kinney, 20, Army, Pfc., Charleston, W. Va.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Ernest C. Munoz, 36, Marines, S/Sgt., San Antonio, Texas

Ernest C. Munoz, 36, Marines, S/Sgt., San Antonio, Texas

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Cordell B. Rogers, 30, Army, Capt., Remsen, Iowa

Cordell B. Rogers, 30, Army, Capt., Remsen, Iowa

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Larry E. Boyer, 22, Marines, Cpl., Williamstown, W. Va.

Larry E. Boyer, 22, Marines, Cpl., Williamstown, W. Va.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Ronald A. Brown, 20, Army, Sgt., Huntington Park, Calif.

Ronald A. Brown, 20, Army, Sgt., Huntington Park, Calif.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

John Winters, 18, Marines, L. Cpl., Clark, N.J.

John Winters, 18, Marines, L. Cpl., Clark, N.J.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Floyd E. Barber, 23, Army, SP4, Franklin, Ohio

Floyd E. Barber, 23, Army, SP4, Franklin, Ohio

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Marvin C. Briss, 20, Army, SP4, Binford, N. Dak.

Marvin C. Briss, 20, Army, SP4, Binford, N. Dak.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Garey L. Grubbs, 20, Army, Pfc., Denver, Colo.

Garey L. Grubbs, 20, Army, Pfc., Denver, Colo.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Merlin J. Laber, 21, Army, SP4, Sykeston, N. Dak.

Merlin J. Laber, 21, Army, SP4, Sykeston, N. Dak.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

John M. Hohman, 22, Army, CW2, Leominster, Mass.

John M. Hohman, 22, Army, CW2, Leominster, Mass.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Gordon D. Perry, 19, Marines, Pfc., Morgantown, W. Va.

Gordon D. Perry, 19, Marines, Pfc., Morgantown, W. Va.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

James J. Wise, 20, Army, SP4, Detroit, Mich.

James J. Wise, 20, Army, SP4, Detroit, Mich.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Robert T. Bensberg, 28, Army, Capt., Columbus, Ga.

Robert T. Bensberg, 28, Army, Capt., Columbus, Ga.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Kenneth M. Seward, 22, Army, SP5, Greeley, Colo.

Kenneth M. Seward, 22, Army, SP5, Greeley, Colo.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Edward Frowner, 20, Army, Sgt., Manila, Ala.

Edward Frowner, 20, Army, Sgt., Manila, Ala.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

James S. Colombero, 24, Army, SP5, McCloud, Calif.

James S. Colombero, 24, Army, SP5, McCloud, Calif.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Donald P. Seburg Jr., 19, Army, Pfc., Jackson, Mich.

Donald P. Seburg Jr., 19, Army, Pfc., Jackson, Mich.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Milford E. Cobb, 33, Army, S/Sgt., Tempe, Ariz.

Milford E. Cobb, 33, Army, S/Sgt., Tempe, Ariz.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Ronald A. Yashack, 21, Army, Pfc., Diagonal, Iowa

Ronald A. Yashack, 21, Army, Pfc., Diagonal, Iowa

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Edison R. Phillips, 19, Army, Pfc., Plymouth, Pa.

Edison R. Phillips, 19, Army, Pfc., Plymouth, Pa.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Gary C. Towle, 26, Army, Pfc., Concord, N.H.

Gary C. Towle, 26, Army, Pfc., Concord, N.H.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Douglas R. Matheson, 20, Army, Sgt., Columbiaville, Mich.

Douglas R. Matheson, 20, Army, Sgt., Columbiaville, Mich.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Santiago V. E. Quintana, 20, Army, Pfc., Santa Fe, N. Mex.

Santiago V. E. Quintana, 20, Army, Pfc., Santa Fe, N. Mex.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Charles A. Hilbert, 20, Army, Pfc., Parksville, Ky.

Charles A. Hilbert, 20, Army, Pfc., Parksville, Ky.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Robert L. Anderson, 21, Army, Cpl., Middletown, N.Y.

Robert L. Anderson, 21, Army, Cpl., Middletown, N.Y.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

James Troy Ralph, 21, Army, SP4, Hobart, Ind.

James Troy Ralph, 21, Army, SP4, Hobart, Ind.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Orville Hampton, 37, Army, S/Sgt., Lawton, Okla.

Orville Hampton, 37, Army, S/Sgt., Lawton, Okla.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Cris Holliday, 20, Army, Pfc., Meridian, Miss.

Cris Holliday, 20, Army, Pfc., Meridian, Miss.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Billy W. Pettis, 21, Army, Pfc., Castleberry, Ala.

Billy W. Pettis, 21, Army, Pfc., Castleberry, Ala.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

William H. Darden, 20, Army, Pfc., Lanett, Ala.

William H. Darden, 20, Army, Pfc., Lanett, Ala.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Jan Rauschkolb, 22, Marines, Cpl., Denver, Colo.

Jan Rauschkolb, 22, Marines, Cpl., Denver, Colo.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Steven C. Owen, 22, Army, SP4, Long Beach, Calif.

Steven C. Owen, 22, Army, SP4, Long Beach, Calif.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

John W. Abbott, 23, Marines, 1st Lt., South Bend, Ind.

John W. Abbott, 23, Marines, 1st Lt., South Bend, Ind.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

William J. Peterson, 23, Army, 2nd Lt., Ephrata, Wash.

William J. Peterson, 23, Army, 2nd Lt., Ephrata, Wash.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Wayne E. Garven, 21, Army, Pfc., Mt. Vernon, Ohio

Wayne E. Garven, 21, Army, Pfc., Mt. Vernon, Ohio

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

William H. Beske Jr., 21, Army, Pfc., Lathrup Village, Mich.

William H. Beske Jr., 21, Army, Pfc., Lathrup Village, Mich.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Ralph H. Crowley, 20, Army, Sgt., Remus, Mich.

Ralph H. Crowley, 20, Army, Sgt., Remus, Mich.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Yvon E. Girouard, 20, Marines, Pfc., Littleton, N.H.

Yvon E. Girouard, 20, Marines, Pfc., Littleton, N.H.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Errol W. Perreira, 21, Army, Pfc., Hilo, Hawaii

Errol W. Perreira, 21, Army, Pfc., Hilo, Hawaii

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Harold James Warmsley, 24, Army, SP4, Mansfield, La.

Harold James Warmsley, 24, Army, SP4, Mansfield, La.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Allen M. Graff, 21, Army, Sgt., West Covina, Calif.

Allen M. Graff, 21, Army, Sgt., West Covina, Calif.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Robert Sigholtz Jr., 23, Army, Capt., Annandale, Va.

Robert Sigholtz Jr., 23, Army, Capt., Annandale, Va.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Edward F. Clennon, 23, Army, Pfc., Joliet, Ill.

Edward F. Clennon, 23, Army, Pfc., Joliet, Ill.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Billy L. Thomas, 19, Army, SP4, Stinnett, Texas

Billy L. Thomas, 19, Army, SP4, Stinnett, Texas

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Richard L. Brumfield, 21, Army, Sgt., Denham Springs, La.

Richard L. Brumfield, 21, Army, Sgt., Denham Springs, La.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Steven K. Sprinkle, 20, Army, SP4, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Steven K. Sprinkle, 20, Army, SP4, Winston-Salem, N.C.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Steven E. Murray, 19, Army, SP4, Indianapolis, Ind.

Steven E. Murray, 19, Army, SP4, Indianapolis, Ind.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Euan J. Parker, 22, Army, Pfc., Brigham City, Utah

Euan J. Parker, 22, Army, Pfc., Brigham City, Utah

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Emerson Martin, 21, Marines, Pfc., Gallup, N. Mex.

Emerson Martin, 21, Marines, Pfc., Gallup, N. Mex.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

James D. Johnson, 20, Marines, L. Cpl., Bedford, Texas

James D. Johnson, 20, Marines, L. Cpl., Bedford, Texas

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Kenneth D. Shoaps, 20, Army, Sgt., Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.

Kenneth D. Shoaps, 20, Army, Sgt., Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Joey L. Boles, 21, Army, Pfc., Winchester, Ky.

Joey L. Boles, 21, Army, Pfc., Winchester, Ky.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Bobby G. Newby, 21, Army, Pfc., Winchester, Ky.

Bobby G. Newby, 21, Army, Pfc., Winchester, Ky.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Thomas B. Paynter, 21, Army, SP4, Seattle, Wash.

Thomas B. Paynter, 21, Army, SP4, Seattle, Wash.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

James F. Hilliard, 23, Army, Sgt., Kalamazoo, Mich.

James F. Hilliard, 23, Army, Sgt., Kalamazoo, Mich.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Michael E. Gerber, 20, Army, SP4, Conway Springs, Kan.

Michael E. Gerber, 20, Army, SP4, Conway Springs, Kan.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Donald W. Ide, 25, Army, 1st Lt., Beirut, Lebanon

Donald W. Ide, 25, Army, 1st Lt., Beirut, Lebanon

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Gary M. Paul, 19, Marines, L. Cpl., Norway, Mich.

Gary M. Paul, 19, Marines, L. Cpl., Norway, Mich.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Gary W. Leighton, 19, Marines, Pfc., Washington, Pa.

Gary W. Leighton, 19, Marines, Pfc., Washington, Pa.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Derrill L. Price Jr., 20, Army, SP4, El Dorado Springs, Mo.

Derrill L. Price Jr., 20, Army, SP4, El Dorado Springs, Mo.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Farrell J. Vice, 21, Army, SP4, Abbeville, La.

Farrell J. Vice, 21, Army, SP4, Abbeville, La.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Scott E. Cochran, 18, Army, Pfc., Eugene, Ore.

Scott E. Cochran, 18, Army, Pfc., Eugene, Ore.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Philip L. Gamble Jr., 26, Army, 2nd Lt., Newport, R.I.

Philip L. Gamble Jr., 26, Army, 2nd Lt., Newport, R.I.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

James W. Clark, 21, Army, 1st Lt., Reno, Nev.

James W. Clark, 21, Army, 1st Lt., Reno, Nev.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Terry V. Miller, 23, Army, Pfc., Ottumwa, Iowa

Terry V. Miller, 23, Army, Pfc., Ottumwa, Iowa

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Herman L. Judy Jr., 23, Army, Pfc., Alexandria, Va.

Herman L. Judy Jr., 23, Army, Pfc., Alexandria, Va.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

James Herbert III, 20, Marines, Pfc., New Orleans, La.

James Herbert III, 20, Marines, Pfc., New Orleans, La.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Willie L. Kirkland, 20, Army, SP4, Avon Park, Fla.

Willie L. Kirkland, 20, Army, SP4, Avon Park, Fla.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Thomas A. Nebel, 20, Army, Pfc., Keota, Iowa

Thomas A. Nebel, 20, Army, Pfc., Keota, Iowa

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Jim J. Walters, 20, Marines, Pfc., Sioux City, Iowa

Jim J. Walters, 20, Marines, Pfc., Sioux City, Iowa

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Dick E. Whitney, 22, Army, SP4, Newberg, Ore.

Dick E. Whitney, 22, Army, SP4, Newberg, Ore.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Robert L. Boese, 22, Army, Pfc., Marion, Kan.

Robert L. Boese, 22, Army, Pfc., Marion, Kan.

LIFE Magazine—Time & Life Pictures

Above: Twenty-five men, killed in one week in the late spring of 1969, who did not have their pictures in the June 27, 1969, issue of LIFE. Use the "full screen" option (at right) for a clearer view of each man's name, age, rank and hometown.

american-dead-vietnam-219

Time & Life Pictures

american-dead-vietnam-220

"Vietnam: One Week's Dead," LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

“Vietnam: One Week’s Dead,” LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

Time & Life Pictures

"Vietnam: One Week's Dead," LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

“Vietnam: One Week’s Dead,” LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

Time & Life Pictures

"Vietnam: One Week's Dead," LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

“Vietnam: One Week’s Dead,” LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

Time & Life Pictures

"Vietnam: One Week's Dead," LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

“Vietnam: One Week’s Dead,” LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

Time & Life Pictures

"Vietnam: One Week's Dead," LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

“Vietnam: One Week’s Dead,” LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

Time & Life Pictures

"Vietnam: One Week's Dead," LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

“Vietnam: One Week’s Dead,” LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

Time & Life Pictures

"Vietnam: One Week's Dead," LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

“Vietnam: One Week’s Dead,” LIFE magazine, June 27, 1969.

Time & Life Pictures

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