For those unfamiliar with the name of Army Pfc. Herbert Eugene Mulkey Jr., allow me to fill you in.

Mulkey's name is one of 19 frozen in time on the monument at Carroll County's Vietnam Memorial Park, located across the street from the Court House in Westminster.

Of the 19 names -- 17 killed in action, one missing in action and a former prisoner of war -- some we knew personally. Some we didn't. Yet they were all someone's son, father, brother, uncle or cherished childhood friend.

Their faces have been silent for years, but they all have a story to tell.

Mulkey was killed in action by small arms fire in An Khe, Binh Dinh, South Vietnam on March 2, 1971, while serving with E Company, 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

He was the final casualty of the 17 military personnel from Carroll County who were lost in the Vietnam War from 1957 to 1975.

He was born on June 5, 1952, in Fairfax, Va. At the time of his death, he was 18. Before he enlisted in June 1970, he attended Linganore High School. Around 1961, his family moved to Mount Airy.

"He completed basic training at Fort Dix, N.J., (training) at Fort Benning, and advanced training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina," according to an article in the now-defunct Community Reporter of March 19, 1971. He had begun his tour of duty in Vietnam on Jan. 6, 1971, just two months before his death.

After funeral services in Falls Church, Va., he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

After his death, he was awarded Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal.

According to The Sun in May 1989, he had also been awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Combat Infantryman's Badge, a Parachutist Badge, an Expert Badge with Grenade Launcher Badge and the Good Conduct Medal,

He is also awarded a special place in our hearts. In addition to the Carroll County Memorial, Pfc. Mulkey may be found on Panel 04W, Line 017, on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington. Next time you're there, pay him a visit and thank him for his service.

As we gather this Memorial Day as a community to our express our profound gratitude for the acts of brave patriots who gave the full measure to preserve our way of life, please remember Pfc. Mulkey.

My special thanks to Mount Airy councilwoman Wendi Peters and American Legion Post 191 commander Roy True for their help with this column.

We will resume the history trivia quiz next Sunday. In the meantime, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.

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