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James Lee Van Bendegom
Staff Sergeant
B CO, 1ST BN, 12TH INFANTRY, 4TH INF DIV, USARV Army of the United States Kenosha, Wisconsin November 28, 1948 to July 31, 1967 (Incident Date July 12, 1967) JAMES L VAN BENDEGOM is on the Wall at Panel 23E, Line 65 |
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James Lee Van BendegomStaff SergeantB CO, 1ST BN, 12TH INF RGT, 4 INF DIV Army of the United States 28 November 1948 - 31 July 1967 Kenosha, Wisconsin Panel 23E Line 065 |
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I want to thank SSG James L. Van Bendegom, who by risking his life to make the United States safer one more day. I am sorry to hear that SSG Van Bendegom has passed on to a higher power. I hope that he knows that he will not be forgotten by his family, friends and by me. I personally don't know SSG Van Bendegom, but I want to thank him for doing what he did over in South Vietnam, because if he didn't, I would not be where I am now - serving in the US Military, trying to make safe for the future generations. I want to offer my condolences to his family, I am sorry that a great man lost his life fighting for this country, but his name will always be remembered by his family and by me through wearing SSG James L. Van Bendegom's POW/MIA Bracelet.
From one who wears his POW bracelet, |
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In memory of a man who gave his life for the needs of his Country. Jim lost his life in Vietnam in 1967 but his memory is still alive and will remain so until this generation has been long forgotten. I also wear a red bracelet with Jim's name on it. Jim's Dad passed away and now his Mom is on her own (with help from Jim's brothers). She misses Jim daily and will probably never have closure by having his body returned to Wisconsin for burial. She and I send each other Christmas cards and short letters. I was most privileged to have met his Mom and Dad when they came to my home for a visit. They are fantastic down-home people. From what they told me, Jim, I know that you and I would have been the best of friends. Rest in peace, Jim, you were not on this planet for very long however you left a lasting memory on those who knew you or became aware of you and what happened to you.
From a fellow Vietnam Veteran, family friend, and POW bracelet wearer, |
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When I was in 3rd grade, a local boy was taken as a POW. Everyone in town knew his dad, and lots of my friends sent away for MIA-POW bracelets. Many of the kids requested the local guy's name, but I didn't, and ended up with Sergeant Van Bendegom. Years later when the war finally ended for America, our local POW was released. Sergeant Van Bendegom, of course, never returned. I wore the bracelet for years, wondering about him, his life, his family and his death. I finally put the bracelet away, along with the memories of that time, but I never forgot. When I visited the Wall in D.C., I found his name and was overwhelmed with emotion. This week I'll visit the Moving Wall and I'll look for him again. Like all the others, he should not be forgotten. Reading this site, I was glad to note his parents had other children. I wish them all comfort and peace.
BJ Hollenbeck |
Notes from The Virtual WallOn 12 July 1967, the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, was engaged in the Ia Drang Valley by a battalion or larger force from the 66th NVA Regiment. When engaged, the 1/12's three rifle companies were physically separated, allowing the enemy force to attack the companies individually - B Company and C Company were isolated and taken under attack. Although C Company suffered only minor losses (5 wounded and none killed), B Company took heavy losses. When the fighting ended, 35 men were dead and 7 had disappeared:
In 1973, Frank, Henry, Perricone, McMurray, and Newell were released. In their debriefs they reported being told that both Schiele and Van Bendegom had died of wounds received.
The Virtual Wall's C/1/12 Infantry Memorial |
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