Remembering
William Kapena Alameda
Corporal, Army of the United States
B BTRY, 1ST BN, 5TH ARTY RGT, 1 INF DIV
From Waimanalo, Hawaii
19 June 1944 - 01 November 1968
William Kapena Alameda is on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Panel 40W Line 070.
William Alameda manned a 105mm howitzer in the night of November 1, 1968 at Fire Support Base Rita. The FSB was part of the Operation Fishhook to block NVA infiltration into South Vietnam.
After 0300 hours an NVA sapper unit launched a major attack. All 6 Howitzers were soon under attack, and lost, and Bill Alameda, my father, was the only one standing. LTC Rogers and 1LT Callahan came to his help, in an effort to beehive the sappers directly. A mortar landed at the left wheel, mortally wounding my Dad. LTC Rogers and 1LT Callahan were both wounded in the attack, my Dad died in the arms of Doc Johnson.
Before he died, he was able to give pictures of my pregnant mother, Mai Tran, to another soldier. This soldier was able to bring the pictures to my mother, and to pass on the message that he died.
My father had six brothers and four sisters on Hawaii. He was liked by his fellow soldiers, as he played the ukulele to entertain them. He was loved by my mother, while he was in Vietnam. And most of all, he is loved by me, his daughter. I just found him, in August of 2005, and was able to connect with his family. I will visit them in January 2006. I also connected with his brothers of The Big Red One, who have embraced me as their own daughter.
I love you, Dad. I am so proud of you!!!
From his daughter,
Sarah
spiritmedley@yahoo.com
