Today our walk was dedicated in honor of:
Army SSGT Joseph F. Hunt, Age 25 of Lewisburg, PA.
KIA Jul. 27, 1966 Vietnam
While serving his second tour of VietNam he was killed during a search and destroy mission, Operation Aurora II, when the helicopter he was a passenger on crashed. All aboard were killed, supposedly immediately. He was a member of Co C, 4th Batt/503d Inf, 173d Airborne (SEP). They were known as the Geronimo Battalion because they deployed to RVN (& the 173d) from Ft. Campbell and the 101st Airborne.
During his first tour (04/01/1965—December, 1965…I’m not exactly sure of his return day, but I do remember my mom saying he left on his birthday which is 4 January.), he was a MACV adviser with Advisory Teams 79 and 99. The only thing he loved more than “his” men that he trained, the Army (which was his career choice, not drafted), and our country was my mom and me.
Daddy taught me the strength of personal conviction and the power of professional commitment. His commanding officers told me at a reunion that Daddy was always in meetings for that second tour because he, along with his captain and colonel, had been there before and he always had one, if not more, backup plans.
I am blessed and honored to be Joe’s little girl. I like to think he is standing watch with his men (on that same helicopter) at The Wall, Panel 9E, Line 80.
We had a great 8.89 Mile walk. We walked out into the countryside. It was quiet and so beautiful out. We walked west on Sparta Hwy. We watched two airplanes landing at the airport. We then made our way to the POW Camp road and headed south. We made a stop in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Pomona and visited with 20 of our Fallen brothers. We read each name out and placed a penny to let them know we visited. We then headed back to the house. It was an amazing walk. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us today. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this hero today. We had 196 honks. It was amazing. Thank You.
Army SSGT Joseph F. Hunt will not be forgotten !
