THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PFC Van Vernon Trantham III, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Van is buried at Belzoni Cemetery in Belzoni, MS. BSM PH

I am truley sorry for the loss of this young man. I some how through the years obtained his bible given to him in 1961 by the Bethany Sunday School Class of The J.J White Memorial Presbyterian Church. It took some time to learn of this but I can't say how proud I am to own this as my grandfather was also a Vietnam Vet. May he rest forever in the kingdom of heaven. Gone but never forgotten.

My parents knew Van and told me about him when I asked about the Vietnam War. I went to Washington D.C. in 1991 and "rubbed" his name off the wall.

I am a combat veteran of the War in Iraq and now know the cost of freedom.

I will never forget Van and the ultimate sacrifice he gave for freedom.

My parents told me that Van was a tall, handsome, athletic, friendly and great young man. They told me Van volunteered to serve his country during the Vietnam War.

Thank You Van.

City Athlete Dies in Actio in Vietnam

Private First Class Van Vernon Trantham III, 23, son and only child of Mr. and Mrs. Van V. Trantham Jr., 207 Michigan Ave., was killed Tuesday in Action in Vietnam, his parents have been informed.
A telegram from the Secretary of the Army received today by the parents informed them that their son died "as a result of metal fragment wounds from a hostile mortar round while on night perimeter defense."
Pfc. Trantham was born October 6, 1943 in McComb and was a lifelong resident of the city. The tall, handsome young man was widely known.
He was graduated from Gibson High School in the Class of 1961. His height and agility had made him an outstanding basketball player on successive Tiger squads.
He attended Southwest Junior College, and Millsaps and Delta State colleges. He lacked but one semester credit for graduation when he entered the Army January 25.
He received training at Fort Bragg, N.C. and Fort Jackson, S.C. before leaving for Vietnam around July 1.
The body will be brought to McComb for burial but all arrangements are incomplete at this time.
Survivors other than his parents are an uncle, W.H. Trantham, McComb, and numerous other aunts and uncles.

Article appeared in the Enterprise-Journal on August 11, 1967.
Thanks to Veronica A. Anderson of the Pike-Amite-Walthall Library of McComb, MS for her help in researching the above article.