The stories of 4 Butler County Vietnam veterans killed in action
WILLIAM FREDRICK WINTERS
Maj. William Fredrick Winters was a member of the U.S. Army 25th Infantry division and had 26 years of service when he began his last tour of duty in March 1966.
Winters, a pilot, died on May 20, 1966, after he was landing his helicopter at a very busy combat supply field in South Vietnam and his aircraft overturned, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
Winters was able to save most of his crew but died during the crash. He was 45 years old.
JOSEPH GEORGE KUSICK
Sgt. Joseph George Kusick served as a radio operator for the U.S. Army Company C, 5th Special Forces. Kusick joined the army in 1965 and after special forces training was assigned to the Green Berets.
According to reports from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, he arrived in Vietnam in August 1967 and in November his rescue team was on a mission in Laos when it came under heavy small-arms fire. His team was rescued except for two soldiers, one of which was Kusick.
During the final attempt to rescue them, the aircraft was hit and Kusick was killed. He was 22 years old.
CLYDE WALTER KLINGENSMITH
Specialist Clyde Walter Klingensmith served in U.S. Army Company B, 1st Battalion, 52nd Infantry, 198th Light Infantry Brigade.
According to reports from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in October 1967 Klingensmith and 12 other members of his infantry brigade were on an night patrol mission that involved crossing a river.
As the team was carrying heavy equipment they encountered strong current and four soldiers, including Klingensmith, died. He was 20 years old.
WILLIAM ELGIE LESNIK
Specialist William Elgie Lesnik served the U.S. Army’s 7th Calvary.
According to the Vietnam Veteran Memorial in October 1967 Lesnik and his platoon were conducting a search and destroy operation in South Vietnam when he was killed by enemy small-arms fire.
He was 20 years old.
