A cousin, an uncle who died too young

They were soldiers. One was in Vietnam, the other in the Pacific during World War II. Here’s my tribute to them on this Memorial Day:

My cousin Nicky, an Army helicopter pilot, home on leave in June 1969 before going to Vietnam. (The spelling of his surname is different from mine.)

NICHOLAS LOUIS VENDITTI

Hometown: Malvern, Pennsylvania
Branch of service: Army
Rank: Warrant Officer 1
Unit: Americal Division Support Command
Date of death: July 15, 1969
Place: 312th Evacuation Hospital, Chu Lai, South Vietnam
Cause: Wounds suffered July 10, his sixth day in Vietnam, during a training accident involving a grenade
Age: 20
Burial: Philadelphia Memorial Park, Frazer

My Uncle Sam in the Army, 1941. After a year on a remote Pacific island, he would get a disability discharge.

SAMUEL VENDITTA

Hometown: Malvern, Pennsylvania
Branch of service: Army
Rank: Technician Fifth Grade
Unit: Battery F, 198th Coast Artillery
Date of death: May 10, 1950
Place: At home
Cause: Non-combat brain injury suffered in 1942 on Bora Bora in the Pacific
Age: 33
Burial: East Brandywine Baptist Church Cemetery, Guthriesville, Pennsylvania

9 responses to “A cousin, an uncle who died too young”

Sue | May 28, 2023 at 9:43 pm | Reply

Wow. Both so young 🙂

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- David Venditta | May 30, 2023 at 1:47 pm | Reply
  
  Yes, Sue, both gone too soon. Thank you for the note.
  
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Fred B. Sanders, jr. | May 28, 2023 at 9:57 pm | Reply

Hello, I may have crossed paths with Nicholas. I was in Americsl Div. 3/21 Bgde. and had been in Chulai hospital possibly around that time. I would have to check my records. It was when Bob Hope was there for a show You and i have spoken before. My best regards. Fred Sanders

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- David Venditta | May 30, 2023 at 1:52 pm | Reply
  
  Hi Fred, thanks for writing. When you get a chance, please do check your records whether you were at the 312th Evac when my cousin was there, July 11-15, 1969. My email address is cdvend55@gmail.com. Take care.–David
  
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Rick Molchany | May 29, 2023 at 12:17 am | Reply

Dave, we need to hear these stories of real American heroes who gave their lives for the experiment of American democracy. Hooyah!

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- David Venditta | May 30, 2023 at 1:53 pm | Reply
  
  Sad to say, Rick, that too many of these stories are lost to the ages. Thanks for the note.
  
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GP | May 29, 2023 at 6:56 am | Reply

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ron | May 30, 2023 at 11:03 am | Reply

i was in that class room when that happend

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- David Venditta | May 30, 2023 at 1:55 pm | Reply
  
  Ron, thanks for writing. My email address is cdvend55@gmail.com. What happened in that classroom?
  
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