Richard "Dick" Westberg of Marshalltown

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth story in a series of nine honoring the 32 men from Grundy, Hardin, Marshall and Tama counties who perished during the Vietnam War including one man considered as missing-in-action. From Nov. 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975, the conflict raged in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Nearly 3 million service men and women served in the Southeast Asia theater — of which 115,000 Iowans served in Vietnam. The war claimed the lives of 58,220 Americans of which 868 were Iowans. There were an estimated 250,000 South Vietnamese troops killed, according to military sources. As a tribute, the Times-Republican is listing at a minimum — the rank, full name, branch of service, home town – and if available date of birth, death, age and burial location of those who perished. The information was obtained courtesy of the Central Iowa Vietnam Veterans Involvement Committee archives, findagrave.com and Dan Gannon, a Vietnam combat veteran. He provided the Iowa Vietnam War Memorial Directory of Names. Also, Kennan Seda, historian of the Sons of the American Legion Post 73 in Tama County and the Marshall County Historical Society were helpful. Additional information was submitted by family and friends. The fourth installment — published May 3-4 – featured four fallen veterans from Marshall County. Today’s installment features five soldiers from Marshall County.

Smith

Maj. Stanley Richard Smith

Aug. 3, 1937 — May 8, 1968 — USMC — age 30 – Marshalltown

Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Smith spent his early years in Laurel, according to family members. Later the family moved to Marshalltown. He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1955. While in school, Smith delivered newspapers for the T-R. He was part of the 1st Marine Division, 1st Engineer Battalion, H.S. Company. He was on his second tour of Vietnam when he died through hostile action. His wife, Kathy and three children were living in Carlsbad, Calif. at the time of his death. Smtih received the following honors: Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation and Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

Tucker

Cpl. Kenneth Wayne Tucker

Jan. 16, 1950-Feb. 17, 1971 — Army — age 21– Marshalltown

Tucker died as a result of hostile action from small arms fire. Commendations: Silver Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Marksmanship Badge, Army Presidential Unit Citation and Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

Burial: Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport

Westberg

Pfc. Richard Charles Westberg

Oct. 9, 1944 — March 10, 1968 — Army — age 23 — Marshalltown

Westberg, an infantryman, arrived in Vietnam Feb. 7, 1968 and was killed in an ambush March 10, 1968. His younger brother Jeff shared the following reflections on Richard, who was known as Dick.

“He was killed in Vietnam in March of 1968. Our oldest daughter Jennifer was born in February of the same year. Unfortunately, he never met her. He graduated from MHS in 1962. As young boys growing up on Marshalltown’s west side, we traveled the neighborhoods on our bikes with our trusted dog Smokey. Playing sports at the practice field on 13th Street, playing with friends at West End Playground, and hanging out at ‘Sand Mountain’ at the Veterans Home. Youthful days for sure. He was a great older brother that I think about every day. He’s buried next to my mother at Riverside Cemetery.”

His other brother, David Westberg, also shared his perspective.

“Dick, Jeff and I were each 4 yrs apart from one another in age. The three of us played golf at Collison’s Par 3 and I played my first round at the American Legion Golf Course with them. It’s been 57 years since Dick’s death and I have many wonderful thoughts and memories of the time we had Dick. They are always with me and can surface at any time. Jeff explained our childhood on the west end of town and it was a great time. I was lucky to have two great brothers while growing up and I always cherish those memories.

Jeff and I were fortunate to meet our wives, help raise families and watch Grandchildren growing up. Our big brother never got that chance.”

Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown

Weyker

Sp4 Donald Dennis Weyker

Oct. 10, 1946-Dec. 5, 1968 — Army — age 22 – Marshalltown

Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown

Weyker went by Denny. since his father was named Donald. Denny had an older brother, Gary, who also served in Vietnam.

“In addition to being blessed with an infectious smile and a wonderful, carefree attitude, ‘Weyk’ was a fervent fan of the Beach Boys,” said his friend Max Kvidera. “Every time I visited the Weyker household, it was rocking with the group’s classics – “409” or “Little Deuce Coupe” or “In My Room” or “Surfer Girl.”

He graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1964.

After basic training, he arrived in Vietnam on Nov., 1968. He was a clerk typist – and served as a secretary to two colonels and a general — a clerical job which seemed “safe.”

On December 5, 1968, his base camp at Bien Hoa came under a mortar fire and he was killed.

“My world hurt when I heard he had perished in Vietnam,” said Kvidera. “It hurt again, many years later, when I found his name on the Vietnam Veterans Wall in Washington, D.C. I think about him often.”

HA Dennis Neil Williams

Nov. 14, 1946 — Nov. 22, 1966 — Navy — age 20 — Gilman

Burial: Garwin Union Cemetery, Garwin

Williams graduated from high school in Gilman. He entered the Navy in 1964 and became a hospital man-corpsman third class. Williams was killed when his patrol came under fire. He was the first Marshall County serviceman killed in combat. He had been in Vietnam for 12 days.