Bertha M. Balsley

Bertha’s son Staff Sergeant Robert “Bobby” Franklin Balsley Jr. (May 16, 1945 - November 16, 1968), United States Army was killed in action in Vietnam.  He is buried in Section A, Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck, Texas.

Mary’s son Private First Class Frank Levi “Lee” Swinford III (January 5, 1948 - September 6, 1967), United States Marine Corps was killed in action in a fire fight at Quang Tin, South Vietnam.  He is buried in Section 9, Cedarvale Cemetery, Bay City, Texas. At the time of his death his family was living in Sweeny.

Edna’s son Specialist Fourth Class William Lloyd Hamlin (March 12, 1943 - June 22, 1967), United States Army was killed in action in Vietnam.  He is buried in Section A, Palacios Cemetery, Palacios, Texas.  At the time of his death his family lived in Palacios, Texas. William was the first Vietnam casualty for Palacios as was his namesake uncle, William Lloyd Queen, the first Palacios area casualty from World War II. The Palacios VFW Post 2467 was originally named the W. L. Queen Post 2467 during World War II. It was co-named the Queen-Hamlin Post 2467 after Lt. Queen’s nephew, William, was killed in Vietnam.

Barbara's son Corporal Matthew Arlon Eklund (October 15, 1965 - June 5, 1992)  United States Marine Corps was killed in a one vehicle motorcycle accident near Kerrville, Kerr County, Texas.  Matthew was on liberty heading home to Bay City from Camp Pendleton, California when the accident occurred.  He is buried at Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck, Matagorda County, Texas. At the time of his death his mother was living in Bay City, his father, Milvil Arlon Eklund,  was living in New Braunfels, Texas.

Willa’s son Private First Class Ray Lee Penland, Jr. (April 12, 1949 - May 26, 1968), United States Marine Corps was killed in action in a fire fight at Quang Tri north of Hue in South Vietnam.  He is buried in Section F, Hawley Cemetery , Blessing, Texas . At the time of his death his mother was living in Louisiana.

Lois’ son Private First Class Johnnie Paul Winfrey (June 1, 1945 - September 18, 1965), United States Army was killed in action at Ah Ninh, South Vietnam. He is buried in Section B at Roselawn Memorial Park, Van Vleck, Texas. At the time of his death his family was living in Bay City and he was the first Vietnam casualty for Bay City and Matagorda County.

Copyright 2005 - Present by Carol Sue Gibbs
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