Steven Dale Karnehm, age 22, from Piqua, Ohio, Miami county.
Parents: Von Dale Karnehm
Spouse: Jackie
Service era: Vietnam
Schools: Piqua Central High (1968), Miami Jacobs College in Dayton (1969)
Military history: 1st Aviation Brigade
Date of death: Monday, September 27, 1971
Death details: Non-hostile, South Vietnam
Source: National Archives, Dayton Daily News (1971)
Harry Andrew Cotterman, age 19, from Piqua, Ohio, Miami county.
Parents: Harry and Helen Cotterman
Spouse: None
Children: None
Service era: Vietnam
Schools: North Street and Springcreek schools
Date of death: Saturday, May 16, 1970
Death details: Killed in South Vietnam when a high voltage wire fell on his truck
Source: National Archives, Piqua Daily Call (1970)
Charles Marion Koon, age 19, from Piqua, Ohio, Miami county.
Parents: Robert F. and Mary Ellen Conroy Koon
Spouse: Margaret (Shellenberg)
Service era: Vietnam
Schools: Piqua Catholic High (1968), Bowling Green State University
Date of death: Tuesday, May 12, 1970
Death details: Hostile, Cambodia
Source: National Archives, Dayton Daily News (1970), Sidney Daily News (1970)
William Hart Pitsenbarger, age 21, from Miami County Piqua, Ohio .
Service era: Vietnam
Date of death: Monday, April 11, 1966
Death details: Air Medal with Valor citation: For heroism while engaged in aerial flight in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Private First Class Pitsenbarger distinguished himself on 29 June 1965, while flying as door gunner on a UH-1B helicopter engaged in support of operations in the vicinity of Cai Lay. His aircraft was delivering troops into known Viet Cong territory in order to engage the enemy. Upon landing in the hostile area, his aircraft became the target of intense small arms and automatic weapons fire. Realizing the situation, Private First Class Pitsenbarger assisted in the quick departure of the troops. He then leaned out the door of his aircraft, placing suppressive fire on the Viet Cong positions. With total disregard for his own personal safety, he carried out his duties in an exceptionally valorous manner. Private First Class Pitsenbarger was mortally wounded while trying to accomplish his mission despite the intense hostile fire directed at his aircraft. These actions are keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and Private First Class Pitsenbarger among the brave men of our country who have given of their time, efforts, and lives in the continuous struggle against aggression.
Cemetery: Arlington National
Source: National Archives
John C. Jr. Westfall, age 19, from Piqua, Ohio, Miami county.
Parents: Edith M. Westfall
Service era: World War II
Date of death: Sunday, November 21, 1943
Death details: From November 20 through 23, 1943, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy conducted a large-scale amphibious assault on the Japanese-held atoll of Tarawa as part of Operation Galvanic, the Allied capture of the Gilbert Islands. Located 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii, Tarawa was a crucial stepping stone in the planned U.S. offensive across the central Pacific toward Japan. The Japanese garrison on Tarawa’s main island of Betio was well-entrenched with hundreds of bunkers and gun positions behind formidable beach obstacles. The first wave of Marines approaching the shore encountered lower-than-expected tides, forcing them to leave their landing craft on the reef and wade the hundreds of yards to the beach under intense enemy fire. The heaviest number of U.S. casualties were suffered during this phase of the landing. Eventually, rising tides allowed U.S. warships to maneuver closer to shore and support the troops with effective naval gunfire. More Marines landed on the second day, launching attacks inland from the beaches and seizing the Japanese airfield on the island. However, the enemy launched vicious counterattacks and two more days of intense fighting were needed to secure Betio. The last enemy strongpoints were taken on the morning of November 23. The fighting on Betio cost the Marines nearly 3,000 casualties but enabled U.S. forces to press further across the Pacific and yielded valuable tactical lessons that reduced U.S. losses in future amphibious landings. Private First Class John C. Westfall Jr. joined the U.S. Marine Corps from Ohio and was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. On November 21, 1943, he was killed in action on Tarawa and was buried in Cemetery #33 on the atoll; however, after the war his remains were not located, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private First Class Westfall is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.
Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency