173d Image of the Month - Corregidor

Gregory Stanley Kowaleski, A/2/503
“The father of a young soldier killed in Vietnam,
denounced the conflict as a ‘political war’
Friday and said it should have been over
two years ago. Stanley Kowaleski, father of Army Sgt.
Gregory S. Kowaleski, 21, of Mount Laurel Rd., Mount
Laurel, N.J., said America should do everything
possible to get out of Vietnam. ‘I despise Communists,’
Kowaleski said. ‘We should use every possible means
to end this war, including pullout. Not one of those
Communists are worth one American life.’ Kowaleski
and his wife, Janet, learned Thursday their son had
been killed by sniper fire Tuesday. A 1965 graduate of
Lenape Regional High School in Medford, he joined the
Army in February, 1966, and went to Vietnam last
August. Sgt. Kowaleski, a Bronze Star holder, was a
platoon leader. He had come home on emergency
leave in January for his grandfather's funeral, but the
malaria he contracted in Southeast Asia prevented him
from attending the services.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 25, 1968
Holland Irwin Langham, B/2/503
“Holly and I were high school classmates. His mom
was one of my English Teachers. Holly was one year
younger than me and we were only acquaintances not
close friends. I remember Holly as bright and clever,
and cheerful. He was a good person with a great sense
of humor. He was talented and full of hope and
promise for the future. He had friends and a family
who loved him. Holly was killed in Viet Nam nearly a
year before I went over. I do not know the details of
his death. but I think of him often. Thank you Holly,
you won't be forgotten.” Unsigned
Robert John Leska, A/1/50
James M. Levings, C/3/503
Donald Everett Lowe, A/1/50
“He was my younger brother by one year. We grew
up together. We hunted together, we fished together,
we dated girls together. We loved one another, but
we were brothers, we didn't always agree. I went with
the Air Force and he chose the Army. He served well,
but he never came home. He will always live in my
heart, as I miss him every day. My first-born son was
named for him. One day when the Lord chooses to
take me home, I will see him again. I look forward to
that day. DON, you are my friend, and you are my
brother. The way you were, there could never be
another. You're not in this life, but near to my heart;
and there you'll remain, as an everlasting part.
Our yesterday’s once here, have now gone their way;
but our tomorrows get closer with each passing day.
Because of the price that the Lord once paid;
and because of the path which before me He laid,
I have the promise He gave, to hold close to me;
next to the memories of you, for all eternity.
I love you brother, and I miss you, you see;
but I'll see you tomorrow, whenever that will be.”
From his brother and friend, William Douglas Lowe
“To my best friend and a true hero. I was with Donald
for 3 months, 24 hours a day and night of true horror
and terror. We’d seen so much death and shared the
pain of the loss of our friends. Donald was a true hero,
he could of drove away to safety like many others did
on 5-5-68 but instead he drove forward attacking the
NVA and gave his life with Robert Allen from N.J. His
actions gave time for many others to escape and live.
No one knew of his bravery but me laying in the rice
paddy dikes wounded watching him attack to his
death. God bless you Donald and Allen and the rest of
the soldiers who gave their life for their country and
the 1/50th, 173 rd . 5-5-68.”
James E. Fitzgerald (Doc)
We served together
“Don was first assigned to the 1 st Cav and then later to
the 173d Airborne.”
(continued….)
2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / May 2013 – Issue 53
Page 38 of 74