American War Heroes · 1955–1975
A long war and a long homecoming. This roll includes Col. Charles E. Shelton, Capt. Humbert R. Versace, Capt. Michael J. Estocin, and Col. David L. Hrdlicka, all still unaccounted for, and deceased Medal of Honor recipients Roy P. Benavidez and Milton L. Olive III. Documented heroes and remaining MIAs will be added from public records, never from rumor.
American War Heroes is a publisher-curated historical register. Notice Nearby writes these entries from documented public records. Checkout does not add a name to a war roll, and we do not issue Heroes badges, MIA labels, or a “verified veteran” mark.
A paid Community memorial may mention military service in the family’s own words. That mention stays on the obituary. It is not verification, and it does not enroll anyone on these lists. Claiming service that was not given is stolen valor. It is disrespectful to those who served.
11 on the roll
1932–unaccounted for since April 29, 1965 · Colonel (promoted while missing)
Charles Ervin Shelton left Utica, Kentucky, for the Air Force and a reconnaissance cockpit. On April 29, 1965 — his thirty-third birthday — he flew an RF-101C Voodoo from Udorn, Thailand, on a photo run over northern Lao…
1937–executed September 26, 1965; remains not recovered · Captain
Humbert Roque Versace — Rocky to the Army that sent him to the Delta — was born in Honolulu on July 2, 1937, and commissioned from West Point in 1959. In 1963 he was an intelligence adviser with a Civilian Irregular Defe…
1935–1998 · Master Sergeant
Roy P. Benavidez went into a clearing west of Loc Ninh on May 2, 1968, because a Special Forces reconnaissance team was surrounded and dying. He was a staff sergeant then with Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Group. H…
1946–1965 · Private First Class
Milton Lee Olive III was nineteen when a grenade landed among his squad near Phu Cuong on October 22, 1965. He was a private first class in Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. The…
1931–unaccounted for since April 26, 1967 · Captain (promoted while missing)
Michael John Estocin left Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, for the Navy and an A-4 cockpit. In the spring of 1967 he was a lieutenant commander and operations officer with Attack Squadron 192 on USS Ticonderoga, flying Shrike…
1931–unaccounted for since May 18, 1965 · Colonel (promoted while missing)
David Louis Hrdlicka entered the Air Force from Colorado and flew fighters for the 563rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. On May 18, 1965, he led an F-105D from Takhli, Thailand, against targets near Sam Neua in Houaphan Provi…
1934–died in captivity December 8, 1967 (reported); remains not recovered · Colonel (promoted while missing / posthumous)
Donald Gilbert Cook entered the Marine Corps from New York and was a captain advising South Vietnamese Marines when the war was still young on American paper. On December 31, 1964, near Bình Giã in Phước Tuy Province, th…
1939–unaccounted for since June 14, 1969 · Major
James William Grace entered the Air Force from Louisiana and flew the F-4D with the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, out of Ubon, Thailand. On June 14, 1969, he was aircraft commander of Wolf 0…
1939–unaccounted for since May 18, 1968 · Major (promoted while missing)
Tommy Emerson Gist entered the Air Force from Durant, Oklahoma, and flew as a navigator in the back seat of an RF-4C with the 14th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. On May 18, 1968, he was aboard Phantom 66-0442 — call s…
1939–unaccounted for since July 30, 1970 · Major (promoted while missing)
Donald Alan Brown entered the Air Force from Phoenix and flew night reconnaissance in the RF-4C with the 14th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron out of Udorn, Thailand. On July 30, 1970, he was the navigator on Phantom 66-…
1924–unaccounted for since February 25, 1967 · Lieutenant Colonel
Joseph Leslie Hart entered the Air Force from Wyoming — home of record Afton — and by early 1967 was a lieutenant colonel flying the A-1E Skyraider with the 1st Air Commando Squadron. On February 25, 1967, he was Hobo 36…