02 Mar 2005 Dear Victor, Always remembered. God Gless and Semper Fi Arlene and Family Valdosta, Georgia georgianana10@yahoo.com

 

04 Jun 2005 " Victor John Pirker 11~22~65" I am the Keeper~ of the Bracelet since 1973 ........ Rebecca B. Billings, Montana...... stehr_at_u@yahoo.com See you under the Big Sky!!

 

26 Jul 2005 I've prayed for you and your family many times and really like the comfort of Psalms 91. I served on the USS LITTLE ROCK (Europe) and with the 3rd Bn, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division (Dominican Republic) before being assigned to OCS as an instructor at Quantico. May you always rest in peace. Semper Fi #1926396 Joe Dayringer, USMC 62-66, Sgt jdayringer@socket.net

 

24 Mar 2006 I never knew Gunny Pirker but I too wear his bracelet. I was in Vietnam in 68-69. But I was a combat engineer, U.S. Army I look at the bracelet and wonder what he was like. To me he is a brother who fought for our country. So rest in peace, Gunny, and SEMPER FI MARINE. Willis Kortright 71 W Moran View Rd #140, Rexburg, Id 83440-5315 wkortright@msn.com

 

06 Apr 2006 Gunny, I wear your bracelet with pride. I wore it while I served in Iraq and I will try to never let people forget the price you and servicemen and women have paid and continue to pay. Semper Fi! Dennis daringdj51@yahoo.com

 

21 Oct 2006 Gunny, I've just begun to wear your bracelet and I will continue to wear it until you come home. Thank you for giving me and my family the freedom we cherish. I will pray for you and your family. George Brooks vadolfan13@yahoo.com

 

24 Mar 2007 Vic and I were the only Montana natives in HMM 362 in Vietnam. When we got the word that we would deploy overseas from MCAF Santa Ana in late July of '65, he was almost too short in time left on his enlistment to go over, but he resigned himself to go with us. Together, we drove in his car all the way to Montana on Highway 93. He dropped me off in Hamilton as he proceeded North to his home for our brief visit of just a few days. Then he returned, picked me up and we drove back. We were good pals. I was crossing the tarmac in a heavy rain when I saw him and his crew mounting up to take off the day he went missing. I said, "You gotta be shittin' me going out in this crap, Vic!!" He said, "See you when we get back!!" As my life went on and continues, I miss seeing him again, always... Paul Printz 119 Daly Avenue, Hamilton, Montana 59840 jeanbrennan@vizsla.myrf.net

 

10 Jun 2007 I wore the bracelet for Victor Pirker for many years. I still have it and will keep it in his memory always. I have looked for his name several times. I was sad today to find him still unaccounted for. To his family my deepest sadness ... and thanks for such a wonderful man. Linda Conn lconn7580@charter.net

 

21 Sep 2007 My father wears your bracelet and will not take if off until you are found. I felt like I would respond on his behalf to let you know that you have many who remember you. God Bless, Kyle E-mail address is not available.

 

24 Sep 2007 I travelled from Spokane, Washington and visited the cemetery at White Pine and Trout Creek today for the first time. My Grandfather, Martin Palmlund, homesteaded there almost 100 years ago. As I walked along searching the names for my ancestors, I came upon Victor Pirker's. Tonight, I was researching my ancestors online and I came across this site. I am touched not only by the young man, Victor Pirker's bravery in his service, but also in the words of those who knew him and tenderly bring his memory to life. I am equally moved to know that there are those in this country who care so genuinely about someone they did not know, and yet cared to wear his name and memory each day close to them. Victor Pirker is now a name along with my Grandfather's that I honor and who is close to me as well. Thank you. Jeanie Schneider jeanie.ls@hotmail.com

 

31 Oct 2007 I bought my bracelet in 1973 and wore it faithfully for years, then placed it in my jewelry box for safekeeping. I have never stopped thinking about you and how your family must suffer without you. I have a young son-in-law who left for his first tour of Iraq on September 6, 2007 and when I think of him, I always think of you. Thank you for serving our country, even when it meant losing your own life. Marilyn Fake marilynfake@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The Marine Air Group 36 (MAG-36) Command Chronology for November 1965 contains the following entry: "22 November 1965 - An emergency lift was made by HMM-362 to relieve the ARVN outpost at THACH TRU, south of Quang Ngai. The mission was successfully completed in very poor weather conditions which apparently caused the loss of YL-36, last seen in IFR conditions in a climbing turn at night over the sea, northeast of Quang Ngai. To date no sign of the aircraft or crew has been found, and it is assumed that it crashed at sea with the loss of all hands: 1stLt F VISCONTI, 1stLt R A MILLER, Cpl V J PIRKER and Cpl J E DOUGLAS." "YL-36" was the side number for UH-34D Bureau Number 147180. All four crewmen were carried as Missing in Action, and promoted while in that status, until the Secretary of the Navy approved Presumptive Findings of Death for them on the dates indicated below: Major Francis E. Visconti, Syracuse, NY, pilot (10/15/1973) Major Richard A. Miller, New York, NY, copilot (01/21/1975) GySgt Victor J. Pirker, Trout Creek, MT, gunner (01/31/1974) SSgt Thomas E. Douglas, Northwest Warren, OH, crew chief (12/21/1977) Further information is available on the USMC Combat Helicopter Association site

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