Rocky Pearson O'Ham

The database page for Rocky Pearson O'Ham

28 Dec 2002 ROCKY O'HAM, a name that seems to have a special ring to it. A name I will never forget, yet it belongs to a person I really never got to know. You see, Rocky transferred to the 5th Infantry Division from a unit in Germany, if I remember right he said he volunteered for the transfer. He ended up in the HHC Scout Platoon. I was working on my second tour in Vietnam, my first year was spent with the 1st Infantry Division. Rocky and I were around the same age, in the same platoon, involved in the same mission. That mission turned out to be fatal for Rocky and life threatening for several others. Rocky had just arrived at Headquarters Co., it seems he couldn't have been there more than a few days when we were given the assignment to take a patrol out near the village of Quang Tri. It was extremely hot that day, we never really knew what the temperature was most of the time other than it was well into the 100s. I guess we never really cared, we were there and would deal with it. We were a mechanized infantry platoon and for most missions we were mounted on M113s, a tracked vehicle. That day we would travel to an area with suspected enemy activity on our tracks, dismount and patrol on foot an area along a small stream. The terrain was rolling hills, somewhat dry, except for the growth along the stream bank. It didn't appear that we were following a well traveled trail or an area that we would be suspicious of any type of ambush. There was some distance to cover before we reached an area that we thought might be a good area for enemy concealment. The column was about 8 or 10 of us spread out several meters apart. I was in the middle of the column carrying the radio for the Lieutenant. Rocky was up front with the first 2 or 3 along with our Kit Carson scout, a local Vietnamese from the area who never liked walking point. It seemed several had passed by the point of the explosion before it went off covering the front 5 or 6 in the patrol with shrapnel, dirt, and each other's blood. I remember the person behind me was hit and the LT in front of me. The blood I was covered in did not belong to me, I did not receive a scratch. The medic worked his way to the front of the column, when I got there he was working on Rocky. If I remember right he began giving him CPR, which makes me think the instant of the explosion was fatal for Rocky. Because we were just outside of Quang Tri the medivac choppers arrived in a matter of minutes. I remember helping load Rocky and I think 3 others on the medivac. I finished out my tour with the Scout Platoon never hearing from anyone on the other's condition. I gave the Army and the people of Vietnam 11 more months after that incident. Rocky gave them everything, forever. I made it home with a Purple Heart, several bronze stars and lots of memories. It's strange how you spend years trying to forget about an experience. And years later for some reason, you think those memories might give someone a moment or two of comfort, and you thank GOD you're able to bring them back, one more time. THEY WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. Dennis Withers dww47@bresnan.net While attending a reunion for the 1/77 Scout Platoon last Memorial Day weekend (2007), several of our members drove to Elm City to present a plaque and some other items to Joyce and Charles (Cotton) O'Ham. Rocky O'Ham on the North Carolina Vietnam Memorial Members of O'Ham's platoon in front of the North Carolina Vietnam Memorial Cotton O'Ham with his son's buddies Noah Wiltz, Raymond Alvarado, Perry Kearns, and Ken Silva Cotton O'Ham with Dennis Withers

23 Mar 2003 We were neighbors and we grew up together, went to school together. I can still see you walking down the sidewalk from your house to Mike Outlaw's house. You were such a good looking young man, a kind young man, a compassionate young man, a fun loving young man ... we all still miss you and love you just as much as we ever did! I will never forget our times together! My Love To You, Rocky! Vicki Poole Hines The photo is from our 1968 Grainger High School Annual, Kinston, NC. 16 Apr 2006 Hi Rocky, I am thinking about you today, Easter, April 16, 2006. Both of my parents are now buried in the cemetery where you have rested for so very long. Way too long! So you're all close to each other as when we were doing our very best to try and grow up on Darby Avenue. I miss you still and visit your site here quite often. We shall never forget you, Rocky! We all still miss you so very much after all these many years! We know that you are still with us and watching over us, protecting us still, as you did when you left to go to Viet Nam to serve our country. What a price you had to pay! I Love you, Vicki From a VERY close friend!, Vicki Poole Hines vhines4912@aol.com

23 Mar 2003 Rocky and I went to high school together and even dated some. He was a wonderful person. Ten years after Rocky was killed my baby girl died and she is buried in Kinston right in front of Rocky's grave. It was almost a relief to see that. I feel like he's watching over her. I still miss him very much. Joan Conner Walker New Bern, North Carolina walker263@earthlink.net

14 Nov 2003 I often think of those who stayed behind What price they paid for me Their dreams remain but just a dream While mine blossom with time They'll not feel their mother's pain Nor wipe away her tears Their father's ache they'll not console Yet mine i hold so near A lover's love they shall never taste The child they'll not know A father's pride, a mother's hopes While mine forever grow A walk along a sandy beach Sunrise in my eyes A warm and gentle breeze Nor the colors of the fall These simple things they gave For this they gave their all They stayed behind so we might go Their voices I still can hear The taste of blood, the stench of death The pain etched upon their face Such a god-forsaken place I'll not forget the price they paid The life they held so dear In hopes we might build a better place One free of hate and fear The list grows long and longer still Their names carved in granite stone Fifty eight thousand listed there, So no one shall stand alone Some say it was only God's will Perhaps to ease our mind Yet as I travel down life's path My family by my side I'll always know deep inside It could have been me not them Who stayed behind Dedicated to Hughie, Rocky O'Ham, and Carlos Chavez by Larry 'Tex' Fincher 1/77 Armor Scout Platoon 2303 William Circle, Ennis Texas 75119 larryfincher@sbcglobal.net May they rest in peace

10 May 2007 I never knew Rocky, but I would like to share a poem I wrote long after returning from Vietnam: An old man kneels in Silent Fields Of Crosses row on row, And at the graves of long lost friends, His tear begin to flow. His thoughts fly back now to his youth, And as his sorrow grows, The friends he faced his battles with Now fill the graves below. Those friends have made their final peace, And now they lay at rest. And comfort comes to one old man, Knowing he did his best. His nation called when he was young And asked for all he had. He stood so tall and felt so proud, Yet now, a little sad. For when they called he was so young, That little did he know, About the friends in Silent Fields, Of Crosses row on row. I didn't know Rocky but I knew many young men like him. May he rest in peace. John Mentz 1SG USAR (Retired) Vietnam 70-71 bluemeany36@hotmail.com

Top of Page www.VirtualWall.org Back to To alpha index O NC State Index . Panel 10W 77TH ARM RGT Index Contact Us

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 28 Dec 2002
Last updated 08/10/2009