Cherokee County, Iowa

Kirchoff, Wilbur MARCUS - Sgt. Wilbur (Billy) Kirchoff, 24, Marcus, winner of the Navy's Marine Corps Medal in 1963 for saving a fellow Marine's life, has been killed in Viet Nam.  No details are available yet but it's believed Sgt. Kirchoff was killed Sunday during heavy fighting with the enemy.  His relatives here were advised Tuesday. He is thought to be the first Cherokee County serviceman to give his life in the Viet Nam. Kirchoff, married and the father of a 2 year old daughter was a sergeant in a recon platoon, one of the prime units in the Marines. They were originally required to take jump training and scuba diving drills. It was during of of those jumps over Camp Pendleton, California., in October, 1963 that Kirchoff saved another Leatherneck's life in mid-air. Kirchoff grabbed Cpl. John A. Cox's trailing parachute shrouds as he plunged to earth helplessly when his chute failed to open.  They glided down, supported only by Kirchoff's chute.  Neither man was injured when the pair hit the ground

at twice the normal landing speed.  Major Gen. William T. Fairbourn, 1st Marine Division commander, presented Kirchoff with the Navy-Marine Corps award for heroism.  Kirchoff's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Kirchoff, his wife, Judy, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Merle Mead, attended the ceremony.  After that feat Kirchoff was honored on "Truth or Consequences", a national television show. Kirchoff, born Aug 1, 1941, entered active duty with the Marines on July 4, 1949.  Kirchoff, a 1959 Marcus High School graduate, was a veteran Marine and had reenlisted. While at Marcus school, he had played football and taken part in other activities. He visited at the home of his parents, rural Marcus, last Thanksgiving. Relatives said the Marine sergeant returned to duty in Viet Nam just before Christmas after the stateside furlough.   He was a Cherokee County native and was born in Tilden Township.  The family home is now located about 11 1/2 miles west of Cherokee on County Road A.  Bill Kirchoff helped his father on the farm before enlisting  His father also had been a Marine. Billy's wife, the former Judy Mead, and daughter, Deanna live in Imperial Beach, California.  Sgt. Kirchoff's sister, Holly, is a student at Iowa State University.  Source: Cherokee Times News Service, 9 Mar 1966

(click image to enlarge)	Means, Ronald Ron Means City's First Viet Victim The sorrow, the fury and the frustration of the war in VIetnam struck Cherokee Sunday morning when word of the death of SpfRonald L. Means, 19, was received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Means. Information received said that he was killed in action on Feb. 5. He had been stationed 3 miles from the Demiltarized one between North and South Vietnam. Following his enlistment in the Army, Means graduated from Airborne Jump School at For Benning, Ga. August 25, 1967. Before his departure to Vietname Dec. 10, 1967, he was stationed at Fort Campell, Ky., and was a member of the hard-hitting 101st Airborne DIvision.
First From Here - Means was the first city of Cherokee soldier to give his life in Vietnam. Lt. jg Norman Roggow, Aurelia, lost his life in a plane crash in Vietnam on Oct. 14, 1967. Ronald Mahoney, former Cherokee resident, and Dennis Bruce, Aurelia, and Wilbur Kirchoff, Marcus, also have been killed in action while serving in Vietnam. Young Means attended Washington High School before entering the service. Survivors beside the parents are two sisters, Julie, 18 and Robin, 9, and a brother Paul, 12, all at home; also a brother Dwight, 20, serving in the Army in Germany. A half-brother, Dan Schuver, Champaign, Ill. also survives. Also surviving are maternal grandparents, MR. and Mrs. Melvin Peck, Cherokeee and paternal grandmother, Mrs. H. E. Means, Marcus. Funeral arrangements are pending. (Source: Former Cherokee County Historical Society scrapbook clipping  hand dated 2-12-68)
Sp.4 Ronald Means - A letter from the Department of the Army Company B, 1st Battalion (Abn) 502 Infantry, APO San Francisco, 96383 AVDG-BD-I Feb. 21, 1968 Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Means, 1137 West Cedar Street, Cherokee, Iowa Dear Mr. and Mrs. Means: It is with deep regret that I must write this letter offering my sympathy to you for the recent death of your son, Sp/4 Ronald L. Means, RA12876943, Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 502nd Infantry, near Quang Tri South Vietnam on Feb. 5, 1968. On that day, while Ronald was participating in a company size operation, he was struck by enemy grenade and instantly killed. I can assure you that he did not suffer. As a member of this command, Ronald was held in high esteem by his superiors and contemporaries alike.He was an excellent soldier, performing all tasks assigned to him in a cheerful and efficient  manner. His death came as a great shock to all who knew him. I trust you will find a measure of consolation in the knowledge that your grief is shared by the officers and men of this command who were closely associated wih him. Memorial services have been conducted for Ronald by our battalion chaplain. Ronald's personal effects will be fowarded to you in the near future. The deepest sympathy of the personnel of this command is extended to you in your bereavement. Sincerely, yours, WILLIAM D. HUGHES, CPT, Infantry Commanding
TO AWARD 9 MEDALS TO MEANS' PARENTS - Special services will be conducted at 5 pm Saturday in Cherokee for presentation of nine medals to the parents of Sp/4 Ronald Means, killed in action in Vietnam.  The posthumous award presentation will be made at Tomahawk Field with C Battery, 3rd Battalion, 14th Artillery, Army reserve unit, Cherokee, in special formation for the presentation. Lt. Col. Gordon Brodie, unit commander, will make the presentation to Mr & Mrs Richard Means. Medals to be awarded include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Expert Badge with rifle and machine gun badge.  Sp/4 Means was a member of the 101st Airborne Division and was killed in Vietnam on Feb 5. (Source: Former Cherokee Historical Society Scrapbook news article dated 5/15/1968

Mahoney, Ronald

Word has been received of the death of Ronald Mahoney, 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. Max Mahoney, Chili, Wis. The Mahoneys are former Meriden residents, moving to Wisconsin in 1956.  Ronald attended school in Cleghorn eight years. The Mahoneys received word that their son was killed Dec 8, somewhere in Vietnam. He had worked on construction of roads and landing strips and was killed while on routine duty. Mahoney had been in service 15 months and served in Vietnam since April 1966. Survivors include: his parents, one brother, Donald of Marshfield, Wis, a sister, Janice Petersen, Salix and five sisters at home, Carol, Eileen, Susan, Barbara and Nancy.  A paternal grandmother, Mrs. Bessie Mahoney, Cherokee, also survives.  Wayne Mahoney, Cherokee, is an uncle. Source: Cherokee Daily Times 12 Dec 1966

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