Honoring Our Fallen —
The Gabriel Field Vietnam Memorial Unveiling

The new Vietnam Memorial Wall on Gabriel Field, located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. This photo, taken at the unveiling ceremony during playing of the “Ballad of the Green Berets,” includes from left, Mayo Hadden, John S. Meyer, CWO 5 Mitch Taggart, George Sternberg, Marcus Whitt, SOA President Doug Godshall, CWO 5 Carey Hyde, 5th Special Forces Group Commander Col. Kenneth Wainwright Jr. (Photo by Sgt. Cody Williams)

By Debra Holm

During Legion Week on September 24, 2025, members of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) gathered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to unveil the new Vietnam Memorial on Gabriel Field.

The monument bears the names of 798 Special Forces soldiers lost during the Vietnam War, including 58 SOG MIAs and 40 in-country Special Forces MIAs. Until now, their sacrifice had been symbolized by a single magnolia tree and plaque; the new monument ensures each soldier is remembered by name.

Gabriel Field, dedicated to Specialist 5 James “Kimo” Gabriel, Jr.—one of the first Green Berets killed in Vietnam—serves as sacred ground for the 5th Group. Since 1988, every member lost in combat or training has been honored there with a red maple tree and stone marker.

The dedication of the monument marks the completion of Phase I of the Gabriel Field Legacy Project. Phase II will add a formal entrance archway on the east side of the field, modeled after the Roman Victory Arches to reflect the unit’s proud nickname—the “Legion.” View illustrations of the plans for the park at www.sfa38.org.

Donations to support this project may be made online at sfa38.org or by check mailed to SFA Chapter 38, P.O. Box 223, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Questions about the project may be directed to Mike Cunningham at sfa38secretary@gmail.com.

Remembering Gary Harned, who died in 1970 while missing in action. His remains were not recovered until 1995 and were officially identified in 2001. (Photo by Sgt. Cody Williams)

John Stryker Meyer points to the names of ST Idaho’s MIAs, One-Zero Glen Lane and One-One Robert Owen. On May 20, 1968, Meyer was exiting a chopper for his first SOG assignment at Phu Bai just as Lane, Owen, and four indigenous troops boarded it, flying toward an enemy-held area in Laos’ Salavan Province. The team was lost that day, and Lane and Owen remain officially Missing in Action, still unaccounted for. (Courtesy of John Stryker Meyer)

After the ceremony, left to right, Tony Bandiera, Jr., Marcus Whitt, Bill Werther, Ron Owens, George Sternberg, John Stryker Meyer, and Doug Godshall. (Photo by Sgt. Cody Williams)

Left to right Bill Werther, Marcus Whitt, Ron Owens, John Meyer, John Mulholland and George Sternberg. (Courtesy John Stryker Meyer)

John Stryker Meyer with his grandson, his wife, Anna, and daughter, Alaina. (Courtesy John Stryker Meyer)

About the Author:

Debra Holm has served as the art director/graphic designer of Chapter 78’s Sentinel since February 2012, and is also Chapter 78’s webmaster and social media manager.