Tommy Ray Garton
Specialist Four
500TH ENG CO, 79TH ENG GROUP, 20TH ENG BDE, USARV ENG CMD, USARV
Army of the United States
Vallejo, California
July 30, 1946 to June 15, 1967
TOMMY R GARTON is on the Wall at Panel 21E, Line 105

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08 Mar 2004

In memory of Tommy Garton

Tommy was a kind, gentle guy.
We were not close buddies but friends none the less.
It's sad to lose such a nice person,
but he is remembered for his bravery.
Just being there. God Bless and keep you, Tommy.

Ronald J Avilla
basicronii@aol.com


 
23 Mar 2006

I went to high school with Tom, he was a great guy with a teriffic sense of humor and wit! I too served in Vietnam with the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing at Tuy Hoa and know of the dangers that befell all of us. If we learned anything, it is that war is insane and meant for those who can best afford it ... the politicians. Let them fight the next next battle!

From a friend,
Larry Myers
lsmyerstm@hotmail.com


 
26 Sep 2006

Perhaps Tommy's most outstanding character aspect was his friendliness to all who came in contact with him. One year ahead of me in school, his cheerleading enthusiasm sure made the football games a "blast," as we used to say. His loss is still felt.

The following poem was written in 1989, and while it was dedicated to returned Vietnam POW Mike McGrath more than 20 years later ... it was Tommy and his comrades that inspired the words:

The Cruciform Garden

"Death Before Dishonor"
A scarred bicep declares
freedom's tab decades after the
funereal drums lead
them away---

Fading whispers, "Carry the
Silk Swatch high," still ring in
his ear---

Rocket's report screamed the
fallen Patriot's name;
Shrapnel and bullet bore
the guilt and
wept.

From a classmate, Hogan High School,
Shirley F. Hutton
273 Peach Tree Avenue, Vacaville, Ca 95688
sfhutton2000@yahoo.com


 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

SP4 Garton was assigned to the 500th Engineer Company (Panel Bridge) at Long Binh.

Tommy Ray Garton,
Specialist 4, Army of the United States,
was buried on 22 Jun 1967 in Plot X-0-4462,
Golden Gate National Cemetery
San Bruno, San Mateo County, California,
among other men of courage and integrity.


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