Local heroes of Campbell County were honored, remembered

A goal of 30 banners is up to 186 honoring our heroes and are showcased in town

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- On this 250th anniversary of the United States, members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1148 and others gathered along the 200 block of South Tennessee Avenue Wednesday afternoon to honor the local heroes of Campbell County. “It seems like yesterday we were celebrating America’s 200th year,” said said U.S. Army Colonel Marvin Bolinger, retired, during this special ceremony.

See the full photo gallery from WLAF’s Charlie Hutson HERE.

“Think about 1776 and the years leading up where the names of Washington, Mason, Madison, Franklin, Hancock, the list goes on and on. These were ordinary men who did extraordinary work including drafting our constitution,” said Col. Bolinger.

Remember our heroes. Let us carry their names, their stories and their spirit with us ensuring that their sacrifices are not forgotten, Bolinger said. The colonel’s words did not fall on deaf ears to the crowd gathered on South Tennessee Avenue Wednesday afternoon to do just that. Members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1148, of which Bolinger is a member, hosted the Local Heroes’ program in front of City Hall.

The ceremony began and ended in efficient military fashion opening with prayer from Helen Ross, wife of Darryl Ross (Cuban Crisis- US Air Force), followed by the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. Sherry Stout Powell sang the anthem. Veteran Ed Housley, President of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1148, led the pledge. The colonel recognized the veterans and Gold Star Families in attendance as well as local leaders and City of La Follette personnel for supporting the ceremony and events surrounding it.

Bolinger shared some impressive numbers reflecting Campbell Countians rich heritage of service to country. In World War I more than a thousand served and 39 died while 4,000 were involved in World War II where 150 lost their lives. “Many served during Korea and Vietnam with 13 Campbell Countians paying the ultimate sacrifice in the Vietnam War, four from La Follette, five from Jellico, two from Caryville and one each from Newcomb and Pioneer,” said Colonel Bolinger. Remember our heroes, let their service never be forgotten, he added from the War of 1812 to the Middle East and beyond.

Of those Campbell Countians who served as boots on the ground in Vietnam, 13 made the ultimate sacrifice. “They were our friends, our neighbors, our classmates, our cousins and indeed our brothers,” said Colonel Bolinger.

John Earl Lay from Jellico was the first Campbell Countian to make the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Others who gave all are Daniel Edgar Walden of Jellico, Earnest Gibson from Pioneer, Lonnie Junior Robbins out of Caryville, Reece Leslie Maple of Jellico, Arlie “Pete” Spencer, Jr. of Jellico, Ronnie Joe Daugherty from Newcomb, Earnest Lon Lowe out of Caryville, George Glen Heatherly from LaFollette, Lonnie Lowell Gibson-Jellico, Bill Brooks Long of LaFollette, Dickie Walter Reagan from LaFollette, Robert Joseph “Corky” Huddleston out of LaFollette. See the more about these 13 soldiers further down this page.

Yesterday’s ceremony kicked off the Memorial Holiday period as banners, hung high above the streets of La Follette, including South Tennessee Avenue, were noted by the colonel. The banners salute and honor a hero and tell the story of a Campbell County hero, said Bolinger.

Though the lion’s share of those remembered on Wednesday served in the U.S. Army, Bolinger turned to a Navy tradition, the seven solemn tolls of a U.S. Navy honor bell (below), to highlight the ceremony.

The colonel explained the seven tolls. 

Toll one: The Choice to Serve- This toll represents the veteran’s willingness to sacrifice their life for their country; a dedication to which few are called. 

Toll two: Camaraderie- The second toll represents the friendships, family, and unity that bond all service members together. 

Toll three: Patriotism- The third toll represents the veteran’s pride in their country, a duty to protect it, and the joy in celebrating the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. 

Toll four: Respect- The fourth toll represents the respect given to a veteran by their community, earned by them and owed by us, for their service. 

Toll five: Dignity- The fifth toll represents the dignity with which a veteran’s community treats their fallen hero. 

Toll six: Honor- The sixth toll represents the honor that is due to a veteran when they have died, given by their fellow service members and community. 

Toll seven: The Value of Life- The seventh toll represents the ultimate sacrifice that the veteran has made. Whether killed in action, or after long years of quiet service, the value of a veteran cannot be adequately described by words alone.

Gail Herrin Brown (above), Helen Cordell Connor, Debbie McNeeley, Helen Ross and Pam Thompson Webb read 186 names of those remembered under Wednesday’s mostly sunny sky. Charlotte Sances rang the bell twice after each name was read for camaraderie representing the friendships, family, and unity that bond all service members together.

“As long as you say their names, they are remembered,” said Colonel Bolinger.

What began with a goal of 30 is now up to 186 of having banners to remember and honor our heroes showcased in town. Banners are now displayed on the street light hangers in Downtown LaFollette. The banners will remain along Central Avenue and other downtown streets through the Independence Day celebration. The banners highlight the heroes who served in the various wars of our nation.

Community Trust Bank’s downtown office hosted a reception for the veterans, family and community members after the ceremony.

Of those Campbell Countians who served as boots on the ground in Vietnam, 13 made the ultimate sacrifice. “They were our friends, our neighbors, our classmates, our cousins and indeed our brothers,” said Colonel Bolinger. The names of the 13 are listed below.

John Earl Lay- Jellico

PFC John Earl Lay was the first Campbell Countian to make the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.  PFC Lay was an infantry soldier who served in the 1st Cavalry and was killed on 29, January 1966, after serving in Vietnam for five months. PFC Lay was 19 years old.

Daniel Edgar Walden- Jellico

PFC Daniel Edgar Walden was an Infantry soldier who served in the 1^st Infantry Division and was killed on 11, April 1966, after serving in Vietnam for 36 days.  For his heroic actions, PFC Danny Walden was presented the Silver Star, the third highest of the nation’s awards for valor and gallantry.  According to a newspaper article in the Knoxville News-Sentinel on November 24, 1966, the citation said that PFC Walden’s company was in combat with a battalion sized Viet Cong unit.  PFC Walden observed a gap in the defensive perimeter and immediately positioned to fill that gap.  The Viet Cong had recognized the gap and had massed to exploit the weakness.  As the Viet Cong approached, Walden then stood up in defiance engaging the enemy with his automatic weapon and hand grenades.  Although wounded, Walden continued to fire eliminating the approaching enemy.  Walden gave his life, but in so doing, he saved the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers and helped prevent the enemy from overrunning the site. PFC Walden was 21 years old.

Earnest Gibson- Pioneer

SP4 Earnest Gibson was an Infantry soldier who served in the 25^th Infantry Division and was killed on 8, august 1966, after serving in Vietnam for four months.  SP4 Gibson was 23 years old.

Lonnie J. Robbins- Caryville  

PFC Lonnie Junior Robbins was a Tactical Wire Communications Specialist who served in the 25^th Infantry Division and was killed 18, September 1967, after serving in Vietnam for barely two months. PFC Robbins was 19 years old.

Reece Leslie Marple- Jellico

SSG Reece Leslie Marple was an Infantry soldier who served in the 9^th Infantry Division and was killed on 11, May 1968, after serving in Vietnam for 11 months. SSG Marple was 22 years old.

Ronnie Joe Daugherty- Newcomb

PFC Ronnie Joe Daugherty was an Infantry soldier who served in the 9^th infantry division and was killed on 24, May 1968, after serving in Vietnam for one month.  PFC Daugherty was 19 years old.

Earnest Lon Lowe- Caryville

SFC Earnest Lon Lowe was an Infantry soldier who served in the 1st Cavalry Division and was killed on 15, October 1968, after serving in Vietnam for nine months. SFC Lowe was 28 years old.

George Glen Heatherly- LaFollette

SP4 George Glen Heatherly was a Combat Engineer who served in the 1^st Infantry Division and was killed in Vietnam on 14, May 1969, after serving in Vietnam for barely two months. SP4 Heatherly was 21 years old.

Lonnie Lowell Gibson- Jellico

PFC Lonnie Lowell Gibson was an Infantry soldier who served in the 4^th Infantry Division and was killed on 28 September 1969, after serving in Vietnam for almost three months. PFC Gibson was 20 years old.

Bill Brooks Long- LaFollette

CPL Bill Brooks Long was an Infantry soldier who served in the 1^st Cavalry Division and was killed on 29 January 1970, after serving in Vietnam for five months. CPL Long was 20 years old.

Dickie Walter Reagan- LaFollette

SGT Dickie Walter Reagan was an Infantry soldier who served in the 101^st Airborne Division and was killed on 6, May 1970, after serving in Vietnam for eight months. SGT Reagan was 21 years old.

Robert Joseph “Corky” Huddleston- LaFollette

SGT Robert Joseph “Corky” Huddleston was an Infantry soldier who served in the Americal Division and was killed in Vietnam on 12, May 1970, after serving in Vietnam for two months.  SGT Huddleston was 21 years old.

Arlie “Pete” Spencer, Jr.,- Jellico

SGT Arlie “Pete” Spencer, Jr., served in B Company, the 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry, the 199th Infantry Brigade and was killed in Vietnam on 15, May 1970. SGT Spencer was awarded the Silver Star posthumously. SGT Spencer was 21 years old.

Here is the combined list of veterans’ names that were announced to the crowd at Wednesday’s ceremony. A banner for each of these veterans is displayed along the streets of Downtown LaFollette.

DONNY BRAY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

GEORGE BLANKENSHIP, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

BILLY RAY MINTON, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

ALFRED SAULSBERRY, WW II, US ARMY 

ALONZO WALDEN, KOREA, US ARMY 

HOWARD ST JOHN, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

DR EARL WOODS, WW II, US NAVY 

JACK STOUT, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

GORDON PICKEL, WW II, US ARMY 

CARL STINER, VIETNAM, PANAMA, DESERT STORM, US ARMY 

DICKIE REAGAN, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JACOB QUEENER, WW II, US ARMY 

DAVID MATLOCK, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

HUGH POWERS, WW II, US ARMY 

JOHN EARL LAY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

ELVIN R. GOINS, VIETNAM, US ARMY  

DR. BURGIN WOOD, WW II, US NAVY 

CHARLES HOUSLEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

MIKE HILL, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

KEITH HILL, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

DILLARD ARCHER, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

FREDERICK BOLINGER, WAR OF 1812, EAST TENNESSEE MILITIA 

ERNEST “SHARKY” HILL, WW II, US ARMY 

HERMAN CARROLL, WW II, US ARMY 

SAM CLAIBORNE, WW II, ARMY AIR CORP 

HARVEY HILL, KOREA, US ARMY 

PETE DOSSETT, WW II, US ARMY 

WILLIAM CLAIBORNE, WW II, US ARMY 

RONNIE HENDERSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

WILLIAM SHIELDS BOLINGER, WW II, US ARMY 

HUBERT HILL, WW II, US ARMY 

EARNEST LON LOWE, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

MARSHALL BOLINGER, KOREA, US ARMY 

JOSEPH EDWARD ROGERS, WW II. ARMY AIR FORCE 

GARY MCNEELEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

DR. JAMES CRUTCHFIELD, KOREA, US NAVY 

TED MAIDEN, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE JAMES WENDALL BAILEY, COLD WAR, US NAVY 

NEWMAN FORD, WW II, US ARMY 

SILAS GRANT, WW II, US ARMY 

KYLE MCDOWELL, KOREA, US ARMY 

LESLIE CRAIG, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

TERRY NATHAN BURRELL, VIETNAM, MARINES 

ELMER HATMAKER, WW II, US ARMY 

ROBERT ALLEN, KOREA, MARINES 

ELDON NEWPORT, KOREA, US ARMY 

JOE B CHAPMAN, KOREA, US ARMY 

ODIS B PHILLIPS, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

HOWARD BOLINGER, WW II, US ARMY 

MARVIN RAY SMITH, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JEFFREY L NICELY, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

EUGENE WILSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

CARL PRATER, WW II, US ARMY 

ELZO WALDEN, KOREA, US ARMY 

ROBERT “CORKY” HUDDLESTON, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JESS WRIGHT, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

GENE THOMAS, WW II, US ARMY 

BILL WILSON, WW II, ARMY AIR FORCE 

EARNEST GIBSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

LEE BAIRD, WW II, US ARMY 

VIRGIL COLE, WW II, US ARMY 

LANSDEN HILL, SR, WW II, US NAVY 

WAYNE HEATHERLY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

ARDEN LEACH, WW II, US ARMY 

SILER MCCARTY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JOHN REYNOLDS, KOREA, US ARMY 

CLARENCE MCNEELEY, KOREA, US ARMY 

FATE ROBBINS, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

CARLOCK MYERS, KOREA, US ARMY 

KEN PRATER, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

BOB ANDREAS, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

RAY GRANT BOLTON, WW II, US ARMY 

LATHERN BRANTLEY, WW II, US ARMY 

CHARLES MCNEELEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

DELMA MULL HATMAKER, WW II, ARMY NURSE 

JIMMY RAY MINTON, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

BILL BROOKS LONG, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JOE ORTA, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

FRANCIS SHARP, WW II, US ARMY 

LONNIE LOWELL GIBSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

MILLARD WRIGHT, VIETNAM, US NAVY 

GEORGE AYERS, WW II, US ARMY 

BYRD DEWEY FORD, WW I, US NAVY 

BILLY GLENN HEATHERLY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

SILER KITTS, WW II, US ARMY 

CURTIS MONDAY, WW II, US ARMY 

DANNY EDGAR WALDEN, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JAMES DENNY THOMAS, WW II, US ARMY 

MILLARD QUEENER, WW II, US ARMY 

EARNEST WILSON, WW II, US ARMY 

CARL NORMAN, WW I, US ARMY 

JENNINGS PACK, WW II, US ARMY 

HARRY WADDELL, WW II, US NAVY 

ALFRED BARTON SILER, IRAQ, NATIONAL GUARD 

OTIS MCGHEE, WW II, US ARMY 

RUBEN WALDEN, KOREA, US ARMY 

WILLIAM ANDERSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

RON CORDELL, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

LORA BOWLING, KOREA, US ARMY 

DAN TILLER, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

OTIS RICHARDSON, WW II, US ARMY 

TERRY PRATER, IRAQ, US ARMY 

JOHN DOSSETT, WW II, MARINES 

DAVID REYNOLDS, WW II, US ARMY 

MELVIN SWEAT, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

HUGH C SPRADLIN, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

EDWARD MURRAY, WW II, US ARMY 

CHARLES MYERS, WW II, US ARMY 

EDGAR DAUGHERTY, WW II, US ARMY 

JOHN R GAYLOR, KOREA, US ARMY 

EARL WARREN FREEMAN, KOREA, US NAVY 

GARY CARSEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

RONNIE JOE DAUGHERTY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

RAY BURNS, WW II, US ARMY 

GEORGE HAYES, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

GILFORD HENRY LOVELY, WW II, US NAVY 

DWIGHT CRAIG, VIETNAM, US NAVY 

CHRISTOPHER GALLAGHER, MIDDLE EAST, NAVY 

JIMMY FORD, PERSIAN GULF, US ARMY 

LOWELL CRAIG, VIETNAM, US NAVY 

JOHN HUDDLESTON, WW II, ARMY AIR CORP 

REESE LESLIE MARPLE, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JAMES BRANTLEY, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

DARYLL ROSS, CUBAN CRISIS, US AIR FORCE 

EDWARD WRIGHT, WW II, US ARMY 

EVERETT SHARP, WW II, US ARMY 

PAUL BROYLES SR, VIETNAM ERA, MARINES 

GENE P MATTIE, KOREA, US AIR FORCE 

LUTHER SEIBER, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

WILLIAM JACKSON PRATER, WW II, US NAVY 

WARREN HATFIELD, WW II, US ARMY 

ALBERT COOPER, WW II, US ARMY 

DAVE OSBORNE, WW II, US NAVY 

EDWARD POE BOSTIC, KOREA, MARINES 

EDWIN CHAPMAN, PEARL HARBOR, US NAVY 

ROBERT HALE, KOREA, US AIR FORCE 

MARK CARROLL, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

CARLO BRUCE, KOREA, US ARMY 

ALEXANDER LAWSON, IRAQ, US ARMY 

ALBERT MCNEELEY, WW II/KOREA, AIR FORCE 

LAWRENCE MCCARTY, WW II, US ARMY 

CHARLES SWEAT, KOREA, US ARMY 

GARY ROBBINS, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JAMES REYNOLDS, WW II, MARINES 

JOHN C PAUL, WW II, US ARMY 

TED D JOHNSON, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

BILL MAIDEN, COLD WAR, US AIR FORCE 

GEORGE W. MARLOWE, WW II, US ARMY 

GLENN EVERETT ORICK, VIETNAM, US MARINES 

GEORGE GLEN HEATHERLY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

SHERMAN WRIGHT, WW II, US ARMY 

FRED WADDELL, WW II, US NAVY 

MICKEY WEBB, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

EMERY DOW AUXIER, WW II, US ARMY 

RICHARD LONG, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

KENNETH ESTES PRATER, WW II, US NAVY 

JUDITH BROYLES, VIETNAM ERA, MARINES 

CARL HENRY NORTON, KOREA, US ARMY 

E J THOMAS, WW II, US ARMY 

CLYDE H WILHOIT, WW II, US ARMY 

LONNIE J ROBBINS, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

HUGH EDGAR BOLINGER, WW I, US ARMY 

DONALD CLEAR, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

JAMES ELVIN GOINS, WW II, US ARMY 

JOBY BYRGE, WW II, US ARMY 

HENRY HAMBLIN, KOREA, US ARMY 

DELBERT HOUSLEY, WW II, US ARMY 

FLOYD PETE HENEGAR, KOREA, US ARMY 

GRAYDON LOVELY, WW II, US ARMY 

REV VIRGIL MURRAY, WW II, US ARMY 

TOM STINER, VIETNAM, COLD WAR, DESRT STORM, US ARMY 

JIMMY THOMPSON, KOREA, US NAVY 

ARVEL OVERTON, WW II, US ARMY 

RICHARD TURNEY, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

IRA QUEENER, KOREA, US AIR FORCE 

DANA PEANUT SMITH, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

CHARLES O BRADEN, WW II, ARMY AIR CORP 

CARROLL WHEELER, WW II, US NAVY 

RAYMOND HATMAKER, WW II, US NAVY 

BOB FORD, VIETNAM, US AIR FORCE 

CHARLES CLIFFORD LEACH, VIETNAM/DESERT STORM, US AIR FORCE 

WILLIAM WADE RIDENOUR, COLD WAR, US MARINES 

ARLIE PETE SPENCER, JR, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

BOBBY JOE WRIGHT, VIETNAM, US ARMY 

FREDERIC BOLINGER, CIVIL WAR, FIRST ARKANSAS REGIMENT 

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 05/14/2026-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)