Vietnam Memorial Names – Callen Courtemanche, Richard Ramsey, Michael Sheahan

These three men all died in the famous Tet Offensive, in which the North Vietnamese attacked military bases in the south in an all-out effort. These three locals died within a month of each other, and it was this heartbreaking loss that probably inspired the creation of the memorial.

Callen James Courtemanche, Jan. 31, 1968 – “Cal” grew up on the 3400 block of Maryann Street. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Clark Jr. High, and CV High, where he participated in track and field and football. He was an active member of La Crescenta Baptist Church. After graduating in 1965, he spent a year at Glendale College then joined the Marines in 1966.

Cal had done more than his share in Vietnam by January of ’68. He was on his second tour of duty, having been in Vietnam for 18 months. He’d been wounded twice. Cal had been promoted to corporal just two weeks before the Tet Offensive started on Jan. 30. As the North Vietnamese poured south that night, the 3rd Marines were placed in front of overwhelming numbers of the enemy. Cal’s company was at the very front, “the point of the spear.” In heavy fighting 42 Americans were killed, nine of them from Cal’s company. But the Marines held their section of the line and the next day pushed the enemy back.

Cal was a popular man, and the Vietnam vet message boards on the internet are filled with memories of him submitted by friends, family and fellow Marines.

Richard Charles Ramsey, Feb. 18, 1968 – Rick Ramsey was born in Glendale, but grew up in Sunland-Tujunga. He went to Verdugo Hills High and joined the Navy right out of high school in 1960. He finished his four-year stint but, after a couple of years as a civilian, he rejoined the military, this time in the Air Force. He was sent to Vietnam, where he was promoted to sergeant, and worked as a combat reporter for the Air Force newspaper.

Rick was at Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base near Saigon in February of ’68. Tan Son Nhut was a massive base, headquarters for both the U.S. military and the South Vietnamese military. It was deemed “Pentagon East.” For this reason, it was a target during the Tet Offensive. On the night of Feb. 18, the base came under a massive rocket and mortar barrage. Planes on the runway, fuel trucks and surrounding buildings exploded in flames. Many at this seemingly “safe” base were killed and many more wounded.

Rick Ramsey was alone in the office at his typewriter. The rest of the reporters had gone to lunch when the attacked occurred. The office was hit directly by a mortar round, and Rick was killed instantly. He had just re-enlisted and was one month away from leaving Vietnam for a post in Japan. He left behind a wife.

Michael David Sheahan, Feb. 25, 1968 – Michael grew up in Tujunga on Cerro Vista Drive, right on the edge of La Crescenta. He attended St. James in his early years then finished at Verdugo Hills High. He enlisted in the Army in 1966. Michael was trained as a heavy equipment mechanic and sent to Germany. After a few months he volunteered for duty in Vietnam.

Michael was assigned to Fire Support Base Jaeger, which was tasked with keeping the highway between Saigon and the Mekong Delta open. On the night of Feb. 25 an enemy force of over 500 attacked the 200 mechanics and support personnel at the small base, hoping to capture the artillery stored there. The men placed their 16 armored personnel carriers in a circle around the artillery pieces and held off the human wave attacks until reinforcements drove the enemy off. Sixty-eight men of the base were wounded and 20 were killed, including Michael Sheahan.

For some time after, St. James held a mass for Michael each year on Feb. 25, which Michael’s mom took time off work to attend. And each year on that day, her coworkers would leave a yellow rose on her desk in memory of Michael.

  mike lawler