Written by Ruth Freese, Stepmother of Elmer Freese. Posted on the Wall of Faces Website:

Elmer Eugene Freese was my stepson. His mother died of leukemia and I married his father, John J. Freese, on December 9, 1967. Elmer was next to the youngest of 11 children; seven boys and four girls. He went to school in Rose Creek, Minnesota, where he graduated. Elmer was 6'6" tall and weighed 220 pounds at the age of 18, when he enlisted in the Army in Austin, Minnesota. He came home for a visit before he left for Vietnam. He was killed instantly on November 23, 1968, when the Army truck he was driving hit a land mine. He is buried in the Grandview Cemetery in Austin, Minnesota. Elmer had been a corporal for only one day when he was killed, and he was awarded seven medals. Elmer was a good son to me and I miss him so much. I donated his flag to the cemetery where he was buried, to fly in the "Avenue of Flags" on Memorial Day. The small city of Rose Creek donated $250 for Elmer's name on the Vietnam Wall. I am a widow and alone now; but I still put flowers on Elmer's grave.

I feel we need to honor our Vietnam soldiers who lost their lives and died to fight a war to preserve freedom in America. Yes, we relatives still cry for our loved ones killed in Vietnam. Will war ever be over? And peace last?

---------------------
Hostile - Killed

Casualty Reason:
Explosive Device (Grenade, Mine, Booby Trap, etc.)

Service Branch:
Army

Military Grade:
Corporal

Province:
Military Region 3 - Long An

Service Occupation:
Field Artillery Basic

Written by Ruth Freese, Stepmother of Elmer Freese. Posted on the Wall of Faces Website:

Elmer Eugene Freese was my stepson. His mother died of leukemia and I married his father, John J. Freese, on December 9, 1967. Elmer was next to the youngest of 11 children; seven boys and four girls. He went to school in Rose Creek, Minnesota, where he graduated. Elmer was 6'6" tall and weighed 220 pounds at the age of 18, when he enlisted in the Army in Austin, Minnesota. He came home for a visit before he left for Vietnam. He was killed instantly on November 23, 1968, when the Army truck he was driving hit a land mine. He is buried in the Grandview Cemetery in Austin, Minnesota. Elmer had been a corporal for only one day when he was killed, and he was awarded seven medals. Elmer was a good son to me and I miss him so much. I donated his flag to the cemetery where he was buried, to fly in the "Avenue of Flags" on Memorial Day. The small city of Rose Creek donated $250 for Elmer's name on the Vietnam Wall. I am a widow and alone now; but I still put flowers on Elmer's grave.

I feel we need to honor our Vietnam soldiers who lost their lives and died to fight a war to preserve freedom in America. Yes, we relatives still cry for our loved ones killed in Vietnam. Will war ever be over? And peace last?

---------------------
Hostile - Killed

Casualty Reason:
Explosive Device (Grenade, Mine, Booby Trap, etc.)

Service Branch:
Army

Military Grade:
Corporal

Province:
Military Region 3 - Long An

Service Occupation:
Field Artillery Basic