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A Country, A Wall, A Healing and a Family
by Jim Bailey (1962-2018)

I was born to late for the Vietnam War. I only remember watching TV and the images of men fighting and dying. Several years ago, my wife and I visited Washington, DC and stopped at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which has become known as the WALL. I did not look for a particular name, but just stood and was amazed that that many people had died fighting for a cause.

Early in August, 2003, a member of the Rhode Island Genweb page posted a link to the Memorial Wall web page. I typed in the word Dodge, and unfortunately, seven names appeared on the screen. They ranged in age from 19 to 43, from the East coast and the West coast, from enlisted man to senior officer.

I did not know any of these men, and outside of possibly sharing a common ancestor somewhere along the line, would never know there family. Yet, as with all memorials, when you share the littlest part with someone, you feel that you were a part of the sacrifice, Dodge family members have always gone to war. From Bunker Hill, to Fredericksburg, to Thua Thien to the Persian Gulf. Some have come home, others have not.

I would like to mention the seven men whose names are listed on the Wall, and what little I do know about them. If any Association member has any other information on these individual heros please contact me
RONALD WAYNE DODGE
Born June 17, 1936
Commander, US Navy
Died May 17, 1967, Shot Down over North Vietnam
Commander Dodge was pictured on the cover of a Life Magazine moments after being shot down. He was killed by a group of villagers who attacked the plane after it crashed.

WARD KENT DODGE
Born Mar 14, 1929
Colonel, US Air Force
Died July 12, 1967, Shot down over North Vietnam
Colonel Dodge was the pilot of an F-105D shot down over North Vietnam, taken prisoner and died in captivity.

MICHAEL JAMES DODGE
Born April 30, 1950
Corporal, US Army
Died June 14, 1969, Thua Thien, South Vietnam
Corporal Dodge was killed in a ground attack.

JEWELL FLETCHER DODGE
Born July 8, 1930
Sergeant, US Army
Died July 11, 1967, Binh Long, South Vietnam
Sergant Dodge was killed in a ground attack.

JEFFREY BURNS DODGE
Born Dec 1, 1946
Sergeant, US Army
Died Aug 25, 1970, Binh Duong, South Vietnam
Sergeant Dodge was killed in a ground attack.

GREGORY ALEXIS DODGE
Born Nov 1, 1949
Sergeant, US Army
Died July 9, 1970 Binh Thuan, South Vietnam
Sergeant Dodge was killed in a ground attack by a mortar shell.

EDWARD RAY DODGE
Born Dec 16, 1933
Sergeant Major, US Army
Died Oct 28, 1977, Crash on December 31, 1964 over South Vietnam
Sergeant Major Dodge was an observer in O1F plane that went down in South Vietnam. His body was not recovered.
Note: These men are also memorialized in our military area for Vietnam, Ultimate Sacrifice

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